It has been a long while since I last blogged.
Oct 3 was the last blog posted, so that means 2 months. Omigosh! What have I been doing?
I must be the worse blogger in centuries...which of course could not be true since the internet was not developed until the late 20th Century.
I am glad though that I have managed to blog for over a year...meaning to say that at least it I know I won't let this blog die.
Well, I have been so busy since. During that time i had to write lots of performance report, prepare slidesets, organize a forum and so much more that at the end i am at a lost of creativity to write anything in the blog. D'oh!
Anyway just another set of quick updates in life and world:
#1 - I got to know this girl on Oct 9. Nope, i cannot say her name, cannot describe her, cannot blog anything about her except some vague things. She says i must not write about her. But i just want to blog about her a bit since everytime i am with her i have never enjoyed anothers company more. Nuff said. You get the picture. I am falling somewhere...
#2 - On that same day, my aunt in Kuala Lumpur passed away. Just a week earlier, she asked my mom to visit her. My mom and dad obliged and went down to KL, played mah jong with her, spent time talking and taking photographs. I later found out she actually told my mom about her (my aunt's) funeral arrangements. My parents came home after a few days away and a few days later my aunt passed on. I was really sad, because she made the most wonderful laksa, poh piah and a lot of other nonya dishes....May she rest in peace.
#3 - My doggie. He is growing. But seems small. As a Nobreeder i think there is a smallness in his genes. I think he won't grow big. Hmm...
#4 - Just a note that US elections ended on Nov 8 with US folks electing Barack Obama, the first African American president. Good for them.
Hmm...That's about it. No pics this round. But I have added another link. Timothy Lee has a blog. You know the guy i 'steal' photos from and put them in my blog....Hehehe....
..//..
Friday, December 5, 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008
What can we learn from the bailout plan initial rejection by the Congress?
I was thinking about the $700 billion bailout plan by the US Congress to stave off an economic standstill. US banks are just stuck where they are without the lifeline from Congress. While the Senate did approve the Bailout plan, now called the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, the House of Representatives rejected it earlier on.
My first thought was whether the folks in the HoR knew what they were doing? The world, not only US, but THE WHOLE WORLD was facing a tough economic situation ahead if this plan was not approved. Yet they went ahead to reject it. That was surprising.
Another thing was, who was going to foot the bill? US taxpayers? The US government? Who was raising all that money and who was going to handle it? The Treasury? The Fed?
These were tough questions. But while everyone looked at the bailout plan rejection on Tuesday morning, and it got through Senate on Wednesday evening, there was another side to this coin. It is this:
The government system in the United States actually worked for the people. As Lincoln put it, a government of the people, by the people and for the people.
Why do I say that??
Initially the whole plan was slopshod. Indeed, there needs to be an initial draft and Henry Paulson, the Treasury Secretary, recognize the threat of the credit crunch. I'd give credit to Mr. Paulson for putting the plan up because if the first step did not come from him, Mr. Bernanke would not have made a move.
Wall Street and the Federal Reserve would have let the banks die and other banks eat the dead banks up. But there were just too many investment banks falling, Lehman, Bear Stearns, Merrill etc. This needed government intervention.
The plan was initially criticized as too expensive with abstract planning but as people started to realize the enormity of the consequence of continued bank slowdown, congressmen (and women) went into motion to work together to come up with a plan.
While the government provided the stimulus, Congress came up with the plan and voted on it. Day and night they toiled, until there was a workable plan. And while they thought this plan was 'workable', it was rejected by the HoR in a very close vote of 208 - 225. This was a very strong implication.
It meant the US system of elected representatives actually worked and was very alert.
The system set up by the forefathers was such:
Each state would have 2 senators. No matter how big or how small, the states had their 2 senators.
Each state would have an x number of representatives, depending on the size of the state. Bigger states more, smaller states less.
While this is the simple explanation, it showed that at the grass roots, people were still being represented. Either the representatives really thought the plan was not clear enough or they were afraid of losing their re-election due to voting for this plan because it did not benefit taxpayers.
Whichever it was, they voted and rejected it. Until that time, it was all the big shots who were appearing. Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, John McCain etc. but at the moment of voting, it was really the small guns who counted.
Though the initial HoR vote was rejected, it went back to the backrooms for a revision, and finally adopted by Senate. Now, it should be able to pass the HoR.
In retrospect, one realizes that it has shown how efficient, quick and transparent the governance of the United States can be if they have to. The Executive branch took the lead for government intervention, providing safety nets and coming up with a plan, and then getting the Legislative branch to help fomulate a more detailed and transparent act.
Most of all, when something did not seem right, they voted in their belief and principal that it should not be accepted. They rejected it. And in their rejection, came more co-operation and drafts, not retribution and punishment.
I believe that other countries that use this structure of governance should realize that this is the principal that guides the utilization of such a structure.
I wonder, are there any other countries out there that make use of this 3-tiered government structure of a Legislature, Executive and Judiciary?
..//..
My first thought was whether the folks in the HoR knew what they were doing? The world, not only US, but THE WHOLE WORLD was facing a tough economic situation ahead if this plan was not approved. Yet they went ahead to reject it. That was surprising.
Another thing was, who was going to foot the bill? US taxpayers? The US government? Who was raising all that money and who was going to handle it? The Treasury? The Fed?
These were tough questions. But while everyone looked at the bailout plan rejection on Tuesday morning, and it got through Senate on Wednesday evening, there was another side to this coin. It is this:
The government system in the United States actually worked for the people. As Lincoln put it, a government of the people, by the people and for the people.
Why do I say that??
Initially the whole plan was slopshod. Indeed, there needs to be an initial draft and Henry Paulson, the Treasury Secretary, recognize the threat of the credit crunch. I'd give credit to Mr. Paulson for putting the plan up because if the first step did not come from him, Mr. Bernanke would not have made a move.
Wall Street and the Federal Reserve would have let the banks die and other banks eat the dead banks up. But there were just too many investment banks falling, Lehman, Bear Stearns, Merrill etc. This needed government intervention.
The plan was initially criticized as too expensive with abstract planning but as people started to realize the enormity of the consequence of continued bank slowdown, congressmen (and women) went into motion to work together to come up with a plan.
While the government provided the stimulus, Congress came up with the plan and voted on it. Day and night they toiled, until there was a workable plan. And while they thought this plan was 'workable', it was rejected by the HoR in a very close vote of 208 - 225. This was a very strong implication.
It meant the US system of elected representatives actually worked and was very alert.
The system set up by the forefathers was such:
Each state would have 2 senators. No matter how big or how small, the states had their 2 senators.
Each state would have an x number of representatives, depending on the size of the state. Bigger states more, smaller states less.
While this is the simple explanation, it showed that at the grass roots, people were still being represented. Either the representatives really thought the plan was not clear enough or they were afraid of losing their re-election due to voting for this plan because it did not benefit taxpayers.
Whichever it was, they voted and rejected it. Until that time, it was all the big shots who were appearing. Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, John McCain etc. but at the moment of voting, it was really the small guns who counted.
Though the initial HoR vote was rejected, it went back to the backrooms for a revision, and finally adopted by Senate. Now, it should be able to pass the HoR.
In retrospect, one realizes that it has shown how efficient, quick and transparent the governance of the United States can be if they have to. The Executive branch took the lead for government intervention, providing safety nets and coming up with a plan, and then getting the Legislative branch to help fomulate a more detailed and transparent act.
Most of all, when something did not seem right, they voted in their belief and principal that it should not be accepted. They rejected it. And in their rejection, came more co-operation and drafts, not retribution and punishment.
I believe that other countries that use this structure of governance should realize that this is the principal that guides the utilization of such a structure.
I wonder, are there any other countries out there that make use of this 3-tiered government structure of a Legislature, Executive and Judiciary?
..//..
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Updates...
Ya, i know. I am a really lazy blogger..No one has told me that, because i don't have much to write here.
Joce & all...thanks!
"Apakah pelan sekarang?"
A lazy blogger - Is that an oxymoron, like an honest thief or a rich beggar?
Are bloggers suppose to update very frequently. I am really guilty of being low on inputs to my blogspot. I think I should write more frequently. There's so many things...
But i guess some updates are due from my end..
1. Dog. My house has a dog now. He is still a puppy. He came to us on 1st September at 6 weeks old. So now he should be 10 weeks old and is growing. Everyone in the family is having fun with him. He is called Caesar and he likes to run around. He is a very sociable dog. I hope he grows big. I don't like little display doggies and doggies that don't grow big. Currently he is busy trying to find ways of mosey-ing into the house. We keep him in the open compound to give him space to run about, but he is trying to smuggle himself inside to the living room. Well, like they are, he was very shy when he first came to stay with us, but now after 4 weeks he is getting into the routine.
2. Mooncake Festival. Twas a great Mooncake Festival. Went for a pot luck (if you don't believe in luck, then count your blessings and call it pot bless). There were loads of people, from the young...around 8+ to the not so young.. 50+ carrying lanterns and having a night of fun walking around.
There were loads of food too especially yummy sphagetti and poh piah (made by mother and daugher, as they say...a chip off the old block). Here you can see powerful Poh Piah Aunty wrapping the stuff.
Ya, and it was also a birthday party for me. I carried a Nemo lantern that I am sure will bring back lots of memories. Thanks to all who contributed in the purchase of this nice little fish. And especially to the Spaghetti Girl who was also the same person who ran around the streets in the rain carrying the Nemo lantern at the risk of being noticed by Penangites.
Joce & all...thanks!
3. Palm Palladium. Apartment is finally ready. I don't have good quality photographs, but this site has some tremendous photos on PP and other upcoming projects.
Had to put RM5000 for the sinking fund though, but now informed that it has been reduced to 10% of maintenance fee. That's great. So took some friends out for lunch and bought a new wallet. I can re-invest the new $$$ or pay up more for the housing loan. Makes me feel very poor already.
I NEED THIS!!
4. Gold. Prices are fluctuating thanks to the recent economic turmoil. But since I went into the Public Bank Gold Investment Account, I have made a turnaround of 10%. Much better than the Fixed Deposit rates harboring around 3.1%-3.7%. Now I feel a bit richer. A BIT.
5. 916. The event not the gold. Disappointed nothing came of it. End of story. What was he thinking?
"Apakah pelan sekarang?"
..//..
Thursday, September 4, 2008
What is buah keluak?
Most folks I talk to dun noe what is buah keluak. After all that's the name of blog, so i thought it be an injustice not to tell the world what is buah keluak.
This is buah keluak....Uncooked and unsoaked.
Now, the buah keluak is the fruit from the Kepayang tree (Pangium edule) that grows in Indonesia and Malaysia. I don't know what it's called in English. It is used to flavour certain types of dishes.
It has a very unique flavour and is an acquired taste. Not everybody will like it. When I mean acquired taste, i mean there is no other way to tell another person what the taste is like.
You either like it or don't. I do, so that's final. And that's why i named this blogspot....
: buahkeluak.blogspot.com
In preparing buah keluak for cooking, they need to be soaked in water for at least 5-7 days to remove any left over poison. Yes, I am serious! Poison...The water is changed everyday. I wanna be alive after eating.
Once that is done, the buah keluak is normally cooked into a curry dish with either chicken or pork. Here is a picture of the dish with pork. Its called "Buah Keluak masak Kari Khinzir".
Here is another picture showing its insides (all black) after removing the outer shell.
I love this dish!
..//..
Friday, August 22, 2008
Why is this man so fickle?
I normally do not like to blog on politics. But this recent event - Fuel Price moves from RM2.70 to RM2.55 - has got me to writing about one politician in particular.
I hate to be critical of "nice" guys like him, but however "nice" he may be, i am starting to doubt his ability to either keep his word (almost an impossibility for politicians), or just tell half truths (a necessity if you are a supposedly "nice" guy and don't want to tell a lie). Politicians have got to be good at this. You cannot be an honest politician...It is an oxymoron.
Let me introduce you to....
I hate to be critical of "nice" guys like him, but however "nice" he may be, i am starting to doubt his ability to either keep his word (almost an impossibility for politicians), or just tell half truths (a necessity if you are a supposedly "nice" guy and don't want to tell a lie). Politicians have got to be good at this. You cannot be an honest politician...It is an oxymoron.
Let me introduce you to....
DATUK SERI ABDULLAH AHMAD BADAWI
In the last half year, between 12th February and 22nd August, 3 cases of unexpected change in mind of this man has caused me to doubt his ability to actually keep to proper timing.
February - No no, elections not going to be held soon. Some time more, some time more. Next day, dissolve Parliament, call elections for March.
June - Oh, tak ada plan lagi. Petrol increase mesti ada study punya. Tak boleh naik ikut hati.
August ada plan baru. 2-3 days later, new petrol increase from RM1.92 to RM2.70 and cause one hell of a massive jam everywhere.
August - Sekarang harga sedunia petrol turun, kita akan turun juga. August 30, effective Sept 1.
August 22, new fuel price. RM2.55.
I would rest my case here, but few things come to mind.
While the last part is good, the principle of keeping to one's word seems to be lost on this man.
Fuel price reduction is not going to win his party the Permatang Pauh seat, so why do it? Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is no doubt a formidable force to be reckon with and definitely that seat will go to him.
While it will profit Malaysians slightly from the RM0.15 reduction, this has hurt his credibility. People realize that there will be more to come of AAB's inconsistent news and also how badly BN wants to win Permatang Pauh so much so they renegade on their own timeline.
The outcome definitely does not bode well for AAB. Perhaps in the end it's just better that he made his announcement to step down in 2010. Maybe like all his other announcements, it may take place earlier ~ 2009?
And then, what a mess we will have in getting a new PM.
..//..
Friday, August 15, 2008
3 Focus Points till end of 2008
Its been a month or so since I last blogged. So i will juz write something in here.
There are 3 things i wanna focus on:
Sports:
I may try my hand at archery, but it looks like its gonna rain today, so I may miss this weekend for trial at archery.
Money:
I need to focus on my investments. I have too many diversification, so i need to take a step back and think on how to best optimize and maximize my returns.
Work:
Finally, at work, I better get serious with the recently new role introduced to me. Technical NPI Lead.
3 direction pointers for the remainder of the year....
Though, my apartment is scheduled to have its OC and key ready in September but I need to pay RM8k for sinking fund, security deposit, quit rent, PBA, etc... No money yet. Wait till November.
..//..
There are 3 things i wanna focus on:
Sports:
I may try my hand at archery, but it looks like its gonna rain today, so I may miss this weekend for trial at archery.
Money:
I need to focus on my investments. I have too many diversification, so i need to take a step back and think on how to best optimize and maximize my returns.
Work:
Finally, at work, I better get serious with the recently new role introduced to me. Technical NPI Lead.
3 direction pointers for the remainder of the year....
Though, my apartment is scheduled to have its OC and key ready in September but I need to pay RM8k for sinking fund, security deposit, quit rent, PBA, etc... No money yet. Wait till November.
..//..
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Cameron Highlands
I went up Cameron Highlands on 4th July. I know…I know…it has been 2 weeks and I am still blogging on it.But it was great! It was pretty cool. The trip and all and the weather too.
Two cars went up on Friday evening and another three on Saturday morning. I went in the car on the left, though I wish I owned the car in the middle. In total we had like 15 people there.
It was really relaxing. It had been a stressful and eventful week at work. It still was, but I left that all to my manager and engineer. I had, after all, applied the leave for this vacation months ahead.
The weather up there was very cooling and we stayed at the Lutherans Mission Bungalow. Its a very nice, quaint, house at the end of a road. You need to have a lot of faith to know that at the end of THAT road, there would be a bungalow. Otherwise you will not reach it.
We had the following conversation:Me: Are you sure this is the road?
Tim: Well, it says Lutheran Mission Bungalow at the road sign.
Me: Looks like a jungle to me.
Audrey: Perhaps, its this one!
Tim: No, that’s the KWSP Retreat Bungalow.
Joni: Maybe we all can go. Afterall, we contribute so we should stay there.
All: Hahahaha!
Me: It’s getting very deep. Are you sure this is the road?
Tim: No choice. Lets go further in.
So, we travelled deeper & deeper & deeper into the forest. Finally, a sign! Lutheran’s Missionaries Bungalow.
Here it is….the place:
The first evening, we had dinner at Tanah Rata, followed by Night Market outing in Brinchang. Later on, we settled down into the bungalow and enjoyed fellowship and some games, i.e. Cluedo.
For me, the next morning was the best. I had English breakfast the first time in a long time. There was, eggs (scrambled, poach, napoleon, bull's eye, half-boiled available), tea, coffee, milo, toast, strawberry jam, butter, cereals, milk......It was all YUMMY!!!...
After that, to avoid falling back to bed, I had a game of table tennis with Tim and then we headed out to Boh's Sungai Palas Tea Center. I made sure I had a copy of the Star Newspaper. While there, we strolled around the foliage and bought some tea to drink and cakes to eat. I had Apple Pie.
That evening, it was steamboat for dinner, and also Night Market again.
Sunday was the last day in Camerons.
Sunday was the last day in Camerons.
Breakfast again was splendid, though we had the addition of 9 more people and also Peanut Butter from Goobers.
We visited Kea Farm market for some more shopping before heading down to Ipoh for lunch. Ipoh Bean Sprout chicken (Onn Kei) and dessert of Tau Fu Fah (Tau Hua) ~ Funny Mountain. We also made purchases of Baked Salted Chicken from Aun Kheng Lim to bring back for dinner.
So after a short detour to Ipoh Parade for a purchase of Starbucks Cafe Latte, we made a straight line for Penang.
All in all, a very good and relaxing retreat to Camerons. I’m going again next year. I wonder how many people would come along. At minimum I will need 2 nights.
Here's the gang:
..//..
Monday, July 7, 2008
Spot the Difference
I wanted to see how different I am over 3 years.....
Since 2006, I have gone up to Cameron Highlands at least once a year, so there is a point of reference. My latest outing there was last weekend (4th July).
So, here's a look from the past to the present.....
This is 2006.....Taken at the Boh Tea Plantations at Sungai Palas. It was Penang Governor's Birthday weekend. Day trip.
And this one in 2007. This was taken at the Cactus Valley tourist attraction. May 26th weekend. One night stay at Parkland Apartments.
In the end.....
Finally, on one Thursday that I did not have a squash game, I brought her out for dinner.
Now this happened after all the excitement from the previous posts. So i decided to test her.
She gets into the car.
"Hi. How are you today? Where would you like to eat?"
"Hi. The day was ok. You decide."
"No. Tonight you decide. Everytime I have been deciding, I think this one night you decide."
"Is there something wrong? Why are you like that? Tell me what is it that you are not happy with?"
"I am ok. I am just asking you to decide."
"No, from the tone of your voice you are not happy. If you were not happy why did you ask me out to eat? When you ask me out to eat, it should be a happy mood. Why you ask me out to eat when you are not in a good mood? You tell me what is troubling you now."
"I tell you, lets go out and have dinner and I will let you know what is troubling me."
"No, I want to know what is troubling you now. Otherwise you can just drop me home."
With that, I took the turn and decided to drive her home. I told her en route that I do not think we could be together.
Of course she was not happy. She said that she had rejected two others already and how would they feel. One was earning RM13000/month and another was a surgeon. She did not like to hurt people. I wonder if she realized how much I went through in the 4 months with her.
So was it money? No, she says. It was not money. She never asked me to take her shopping, never asked to buy this buy that. But then I pointed to her, you ask me quite a lot about money.
She says, "I was just testing you, to see your answers. I am not that type of girl."
"Well, then why do you ask it and talk about it so frequently?"
"Why do you only listen? Why do you not see my actions? Actions speak louder than words. I have never asked you to take me out shopping or buy me expensive stuff."
So, eventually it is my fault for taking her to eat good food that she can only survive on, no others and they costs an expense. And then i will need to understand that actions speaks louder than words so therefore say what you mean & mean what you say means nothing at all.
I drive round her block about 20 times, because it was 10km later that I drop her. She was, of course, unhappy. But then I felt worse because I had to tell her that I did not think the relationship could work out.
She did not understand how I could be so cruel, but in me I felt that had I let this go on, it would have been suffering, perhaps for both of us. In that respect, I thought it better to end it and stay friends rather than moving forward dating and going to the next level.
Yup, it was an experience to learn from. Perhaps I had pampered her too much, gave her the comfortability that there was someone for her while she did not commit herself and also a guy too patient and refusing to argue. I guess all this added up to a wrong impression from her side and a wrong impression from my side eventually leading to a cannot work situation.
Anyhow, life goes on.
..//..
Now this happened after all the excitement from the previous posts. So i decided to test her.
She gets into the car.
"Hi. How are you today? Where would you like to eat?"
"Hi. The day was ok. You decide."
"No. Tonight you decide. Everytime I have been deciding, I think this one night you decide."
"Is there something wrong? Why are you like that? Tell me what is it that you are not happy with?"
"I am ok. I am just asking you to decide."
"No, from the tone of your voice you are not happy. If you were not happy why did you ask me out to eat? When you ask me out to eat, it should be a happy mood. Why you ask me out to eat when you are not in a good mood? You tell me what is troubling you now."
"I tell you, lets go out and have dinner and I will let you know what is troubling me."
"No, I want to know what is troubling you now. Otherwise you can just drop me home."
With that, I took the turn and decided to drive her home. I told her en route that I do not think we could be together.
Of course she was not happy. She said that she had rejected two others already and how would they feel. One was earning RM13000/month and another was a surgeon. She did not like to hurt people. I wonder if she realized how much I went through in the 4 months with her.
So was it money? No, she says. It was not money. She never asked me to take her shopping, never asked to buy this buy that. But then I pointed to her, you ask me quite a lot about money.
She says, "I was just testing you, to see your answers. I am not that type of girl."
"Well, then why do you ask it and talk about it so frequently?"
"Why do you only listen? Why do you not see my actions? Actions speak louder than words. I have never asked you to take me out shopping or buy me expensive stuff."
So, eventually it is my fault for taking her to eat good food that she can only survive on, no others and they costs an expense. And then i will need to understand that actions speaks louder than words so therefore say what you mean & mean what you say means nothing at all.
I drive round her block about 20 times, because it was 10km later that I drop her. She was, of course, unhappy. But then I felt worse because I had to tell her that I did not think the relationship could work out.
She did not understand how I could be so cruel, but in me I felt that had I let this go on, it would have been suffering, perhaps for both of us. In that respect, I thought it better to end it and stay friends rather than moving forward dating and going to the next level.
Yup, it was an experience to learn from. Perhaps I had pampered her too much, gave her the comfortability that there was someone for her while she did not commit herself and also a guy too patient and refusing to argue. I guess all this added up to a wrong impression from her side and a wrong impression from my side eventually leading to a cannot work situation.
Anyhow, life goes on.
..//..
Going on.....
I hadn't really finished yet in the last blog....There was still one thing that irked me the most....
I was told by my Christian brothers that I had to have a clear direction what i was doing here. Are you looking for a good time with a girl or are you looking for a life partner?
It's #2.
In fact, early on, on the 3rd date I told CF this.
"You know, actually I have been observing you for nearly a year. 8 months. Although then I did not say anything to you, I think you are pretty and I want to get to know you better. But its not just that. I am asking you out because I am interested in you, and slowly hope this friendship could move to relationship and from there to marriage. This is my intention. I am committed to you as long as we are in this together to form friendship and bond together."
She is quite surprised i think, but she said, "That's ok. I think that we should get to know each other much better first. But I am glad to know you are committted."
Some weeks down, she asks me, "Do you think I should be meeting other guys?"
"Are you? I thought you wanted to be committed."
"Actually my friends say I should not just commit like that to another guy. I should get to know more guys, see what other types of guys there are."
"Is that what your friends told you? Why would they tell you something like that?"
But the doubt this created in me was ---> You are seeing other people.
There was another time, during her father's funeral wake. Of course, I know this time is difficult for her. But here is the scenario of what happened......
Day#1: Please don't come tonight. It's the first night and I feel tired. I did not go, and my friend asked me how dumb I could be. Go, even if she says no.
Day#2: Yeah, its ok for you to come. So I go, sit for 1hour and then go home. My friend tells me you should go. Support her.
Day#3: So I go, eventhough she says you do not need to. But I go, and sit for 3 hours. I imagine she is happy. Everything goes well.
Day#4: No, I do not need to go again. But I go. She says, "You can stay for only 1 hour, then go home." So I go, chat with her. She is not happy tonight because:
- I could not get her body description correct.
- I described her wrongly in comparison to her sisters.
Each time I wanted to go off, she would ask me, "So why do you think I am petite?" or "Do you think my sister is taller?" So I stayed another 30 minutes in all.
- She later says that I overstayed my welcome and that I should have gone home at the appointed time.
She calls me later and then tells me off. Of course I keep quiet and just agree to all that she says since she is the one in distress. She finally gets annoyed and hangs down the phone.
Day#5: The funeral day. I did not go.
Reason 1: She was not in a good mood the previous night
Reason 2: My mom would not have wanted it, because that day she was praying to the Kitchen God.
Reason 3: I did not want to do something in secret and not tell my mom knowing full well my mom would not like it.
As a result......
CF: How come you did not come? Even my boss came. He is such a busy man, but he still came.
My thought: Ah....so your boss very important to you. In fact, every other time she brought out a topic about another man, it would be her boss..... ???
CF: Why you cannot do things for your ownself? You seem to be controlled by your mom. I don't care what she believes, whether go to the funeral already or not, have to use scented water to wash off. Are you really committed or not? You say you are committed to me, but do not seem like it. This is something I don't like. I don't like it in a guy. You cannot make decision for your ownself.
My thought: My gosh, you want me to disrespect my mom? You want me to make decisions that do not take into account what my mom thinks even though I live with my parents? Hmmm....
Everytime she spoke, she would tell me,
"Do you understand why I am telling you this? It is because I don't like the way you said it."
"I am saying this because I want you to understand that your thinking is not correct."
"I want to let you know that you need to improve your sensitivity. You are really insensitive towards me."
Finally, in the end.....Looking back from 2 posts ago and this one and adding up to the stress and unhappiness, and the control and the everything.....I decided....to pray & reflect.....
..//..
I was told by my Christian brothers that I had to have a clear direction what i was doing here. Are you looking for a good time with a girl or are you looking for a life partner?
It's #2.
In fact, early on, on the 3rd date I told CF this.
"You know, actually I have been observing you for nearly a year. 8 months. Although then I did not say anything to you, I think you are pretty and I want to get to know you better. But its not just that. I am asking you out because I am interested in you, and slowly hope this friendship could move to relationship and from there to marriage. This is my intention. I am committed to you as long as we are in this together to form friendship and bond together."
She is quite surprised i think, but she said, "That's ok. I think that we should get to know each other much better first. But I am glad to know you are committted."
Some weeks down, she asks me, "Do you think I should be meeting other guys?"
"Are you? I thought you wanted to be committed."
"Actually my friends say I should not just commit like that to another guy. I should get to know more guys, see what other types of guys there are."
"Is that what your friends told you? Why would they tell you something like that?"
But the doubt this created in me was ---> You are seeing other people.
There was another time, during her father's funeral wake. Of course, I know this time is difficult for her. But here is the scenario of what happened......
Day#1: Please don't come tonight. It's the first night and I feel tired. I did not go, and my friend asked me how dumb I could be. Go, even if she says no.
Day#2: Yeah, its ok for you to come. So I go, sit for 1hour and then go home. My friend tells me you should go. Support her.
Day#3: So I go, eventhough she says you do not need to. But I go, and sit for 3 hours. I imagine she is happy. Everything goes well.
Day#4: No, I do not need to go again. But I go. She says, "You can stay for only 1 hour, then go home." So I go, chat with her. She is not happy tonight because:
- I could not get her body description correct.
- I described her wrongly in comparison to her sisters.
Each time I wanted to go off, she would ask me, "So why do you think I am petite?" or "Do you think my sister is taller?" So I stayed another 30 minutes in all.
- She later says that I overstayed my welcome and that I should have gone home at the appointed time.
She calls me later and then tells me off. Of course I keep quiet and just agree to all that she says since she is the one in distress. She finally gets annoyed and hangs down the phone.
Day#5: The funeral day. I did not go.
Reason 1: She was not in a good mood the previous night
Reason 2: My mom would not have wanted it, because that day she was praying to the Kitchen God.
Reason 3: I did not want to do something in secret and not tell my mom knowing full well my mom would not like it.
As a result......
CF: How come you did not come? Even my boss came. He is such a busy man, but he still came.
My thought: Ah....so your boss very important to you. In fact, every other time she brought out a topic about another man, it would be her boss..... ???
CF: Why you cannot do things for your ownself? You seem to be controlled by your mom. I don't care what she believes, whether go to the funeral already or not, have to use scented water to wash off. Are you really committed or not? You say you are committed to me, but do not seem like it. This is something I don't like. I don't like it in a guy. You cannot make decision for your ownself.
My thought: My gosh, you want me to disrespect my mom? You want me to make decisions that do not take into account what my mom thinks even though I live with my parents? Hmmm....
Everytime she spoke, she would tell me,
"Do you understand why I am telling you this? It is because I don't like the way you said it."
"I am saying this because I want you to understand that your thinking is not correct."
"I want to let you know that you need to improve your sensitivity. You are really insensitive towards me."
Finally, in the end.....Looking back from 2 posts ago and this one and adding up to the stress and unhappiness, and the control and the everything.....I decided....to pray & reflect.....
..//..
Sunday, July 6, 2008
In Between...
There's gonna be some shortage of illustrations in this few blogs....Its gonna be what the folks wanted to read....But this is my version. CF's version may vary too.
So in the 4 months....What did I gather about CF?
1. Strong willed
Her opinion is her opinion. You must be some straight 25A student with CGPA 10 to change her opinion. She will work things out logically and come to her logical conclusion but never thinking that even though her conclusion is logical, people's hearts sometimes make them make the illogical decision. Eventually, understanding is difficult. Seek to understand than to be understood. But she only wants to be understood.
2. Food
Of all the times I have taken her out to eat, we ended up in a kopitiam only once. And the koay teow thng there was considered unhealthy. She'd prefer the Amoy Road koay teow thng. Fish balls there are more healthy. Ok.....
Most of the time we go out for dinner.....I can name most of the places: Bella Italia, Yataimura, Aji Noren, Cuisine Bou, Food Loft, Sushi King, Manhattan Fish Market (unacceptably oily), 600cc, Ingolfe's.....Noticed there are no kopitiam, western food, bah kut teh, chu char....
It's all expensive. I tried asking Bah Kut Teh, Western Food, but we never did end up there. I would not survive the expenses.
The fun of eating is not just going to all these places, its going to all the places we had not gone.
3. My mom....
I love my mom very much. I respect her. I am also truthful to her. I strife and want to be a dutiful and filial son.
As part of a conversation that happens after I come home from dinner my mom, out of her concern, will ask, "So, where did you go to eat?"
I will dutifully reply. Of course if its an expensive place she would not mind. But if the list is like in #2, she will question the sanity of doing it.
CF did not like this line of questioning.
Q: "Why must your mom always ask you where did you go to eat?"
A: "Well, its part of the conversation we have when I get home after a date."
Q: "What is her business to know where you went to eat? What you eat and where you eat is not her concern mah."
A: "Oh well, she just wanted to make conversation, make sure I had a good time."
"I don't know. I think it will be difficult for me to get along with your mom. I hope in the future if you are my boyfriend or husband this will not happen."
4. Baptism
Q: "Are you baptise yet?"
A: "Errr...not yet. Is that a concern?"
Q: "Why are you not baptise yet? What is holding you back?"
A: "Oh well, just after CNY I had a conversation with my parents about baptism and they weren't too happy with it. So I let it lie quiet first."
"How come everything you do need to ask from parents? Want to eat somewhere also need to tell your mom? You don't have a mind of your own to make your own decisions one?"
"Well, its not like I must get baptise then can only serve God. In my heart I know I am Christian, I can also serve."
"If it was me, I will go ahead to get baptise. I just tell them. Whether they like it or not, it is my decision, my life. "
"Well, I need to respect my parents too."
"Who are you getting baptize for? God, right? Then why do you need your parents' permission?"
Errr.....Well, I did not know the answer, but I thought that one should live a life of respect for his or her parents to show them that being Christian does not take them away from their family. I mean, if i went ahead to get baptised, what kind of testimony would that give to my parents?
Eventually, these were some of the stuff that sort of got on to me. We never resolved it and I guess that's where my mistake lies. I don't think it would have been resolved easily. No matter how much I tried to talk to her about it, she would "test" me.
#1. Do you listen?
#2. Not willing to spend money for healthy food.
#3. Mom's a problem later on. You sure you can be independent?
#4. Can you make your own decisions one ah?
*sigh*.......
..//..
So in the 4 months....What did I gather about CF?
1. Strong willed
Her opinion is her opinion. You must be some straight 25A student with CGPA 10 to change her opinion. She will work things out logically and come to her logical conclusion but never thinking that even though her conclusion is logical, people's hearts sometimes make them make the illogical decision. Eventually, understanding is difficult. Seek to understand than to be understood. But she only wants to be understood.
2. Food
Of all the times I have taken her out to eat, we ended up in a kopitiam only once. And the koay teow thng there was considered unhealthy. She'd prefer the Amoy Road koay teow thng. Fish balls there are more healthy. Ok.....
Most of the time we go out for dinner.....I can name most of the places: Bella Italia, Yataimura, Aji Noren, Cuisine Bou, Food Loft, Sushi King, Manhattan Fish Market (unacceptably oily), 600cc, Ingolfe's.....Noticed there are no kopitiam, western food, bah kut teh, chu char....
It's all expensive. I tried asking Bah Kut Teh, Western Food, but we never did end up there. I would not survive the expenses.
The fun of eating is not just going to all these places, its going to all the places we had not gone.
3. My mom....
I love my mom very much. I respect her. I am also truthful to her. I strife and want to be a dutiful and filial son.
As part of a conversation that happens after I come home from dinner my mom, out of her concern, will ask, "So, where did you go to eat?"
I will dutifully reply. Of course if its an expensive place she would not mind. But if the list is like in #2, she will question the sanity of doing it.
CF did not like this line of questioning.
Q: "Why must your mom always ask you where did you go to eat?"
A: "Well, its part of the conversation we have when I get home after a date."
Q: "What is her business to know where you went to eat? What you eat and where you eat is not her concern mah."
A: "Oh well, she just wanted to make conversation, make sure I had a good time."
"I don't know. I think it will be difficult for me to get along with your mom. I hope in the future if you are my boyfriend or husband this will not happen."
4. Baptism
Q: "Are you baptise yet?"
A: "Errr...not yet. Is that a concern?"
Q: "Why are you not baptise yet? What is holding you back?"
A: "Oh well, just after CNY I had a conversation with my parents about baptism and they weren't too happy with it. So I let it lie quiet first."
"How come everything you do need to ask from parents? Want to eat somewhere also need to tell your mom? You don't have a mind of your own to make your own decisions one?"
"Well, its not like I must get baptise then can only serve God. In my heart I know I am Christian, I can also serve."
"If it was me, I will go ahead to get baptise. I just tell them. Whether they like it or not, it is my decision, my life. "
"Well, I need to respect my parents too."
"Who are you getting baptize for? God, right? Then why do you need your parents' permission?"
Errr.....Well, I did not know the answer, but I thought that one should live a life of respect for his or her parents to show them that being Christian does not take them away from their family. I mean, if i went ahead to get baptised, what kind of testimony would that give to my parents?
Eventually, these were some of the stuff that sort of got on to me. We never resolved it and I guess that's where my mistake lies. I don't think it would have been resolved easily. No matter how much I tried to talk to her about it, she would "test" me.
#1. Do you listen?
#2. Not willing to spend money for healthy food.
#3. Mom's a problem later on. You sure you can be independent?
#4. Can you make your own decisions one ah?
*sigh*.......
..//..
June turned out like May
Just to clarify, both June and May are NOT any of my girlfriends. I do know people named June and also May, but June did turned out like May.......I blogged only ONCE....
So what happened?
CF's dad passed away and she was constantly taking care of her mom. Things did not turn out well and eventually I decided that I was not comfortable to move forward to a relationship.
So after 4 months, I had decided that at that point of time, she would not be the one I am looking for. Many (and i mean many) people have asked me what happened? So i will blog it here and send them to the blog when they should ask again.....
Lots of things. It was an accumulation of small little things that added up to become a burden to shoulder. It felt stressful when it should have been wonderful.
She consistently asks me if I am able to take care of her financially when I am her boyfriend. She asks if I will love her and 'sayang' her. Of course I will. Then she will tell me, "If you sayang me, and also keep me pretty, will you also finance my clothes and my beauty products? How much are you willing to provide for me, say monthly?"
I answer, "Mmmm....I am not your husband yet wor. Even as boyfriend, it should be minimal."
"But when you are my boyfriend, I will be really ready already. I don't give my heart away simply."
"Let's say about RM1000."
"Really? Ok."
Some days later, the whole conversation will take place again. And again. And again. Finally I decided to bring it down to RM600 to see her reaction.
I said something like, "Oh well, you know actually I have lots of commitment. House loan lah is about RM1000, car loan RM1000, phone bill, home Astro bill, money for my mom, so around RM600."
"RM600, is that minimum or maximum?" she'd ask. I replied, "Oh this is about minimum."
Then she says, "I guess that's ok. Maybe I can get more. Are you sweating already?"
Of course I am, but i say, "No lah, I told you how many times already. Do not worry. I will take good care of you one."
Some days later, she calls up as I am arriving to meet a friend at E-Gate for a cuppa at Starbucks.
At some point, the conversation turns to the above again!....
Of course, a nice guy also has a patience breaking point and I told her sternly and loudly, "I told you already, you don't have to worry and I will take care of you. Why do you keep asking me this question?"
"Are you shouting at me? I don't like the tone of your voice. Do you know that I really try to improve myself. I used to be impatient, now I am trying not to be angry. Why are you shouting at me?"
So replying softly, I say, "Look, why do you want to keep asking this question? I have already told you the answer."
"I am a girl. I have to take care of myself. I must be sure that you are the guy for me. If I don't ask, how will I know you are a good guy. I want to know what type of response you will give. There are many bad guys out there. In fact most of the guys out there are bad. There are only very few who are good. So I want to make sure that you really mean what you say."
I gave that a thought. Then I said, "So you are testing me?"
"Yes."
"I thought you said I cannot test you. You will be unhappy if I test you. But why are you testing me now? What difference is there between you and me?"
There was never an answer to that question. But in my heart I felt this would not work. She gave me the impression, with her words, that she was all for money. And that in testing me in a way gave me the feeling that she had no trust in me. No matter how much I cared for her, tried to answer her, looked for ways to resolve issues....IT WAS A HEADACHE.
..//..
So what happened?
CF's dad passed away and she was constantly taking care of her mom. Things did not turn out well and eventually I decided that I was not comfortable to move forward to a relationship.
So after 4 months, I had decided that at that point of time, she would not be the one I am looking for. Many (and i mean many) people have asked me what happened? So i will blog it here and send them to the blog when they should ask again.....
Lots of things. It was an accumulation of small little things that added up to become a burden to shoulder. It felt stressful when it should have been wonderful.
She consistently asks me if I am able to take care of her financially when I am her boyfriend. She asks if I will love her and 'sayang' her. Of course I will. Then she will tell me, "If you sayang me, and also keep me pretty, will you also finance my clothes and my beauty products? How much are you willing to provide for me, say monthly?"
I answer, "Mmmm....I am not your husband yet wor. Even as boyfriend, it should be minimal."
"But when you are my boyfriend, I will be really ready already. I don't give my heart away simply."
"Let's say about RM1000."
"Really? Ok."
Some days later, the whole conversation will take place again. And again. And again. Finally I decided to bring it down to RM600 to see her reaction.
I said something like, "Oh well, you know actually I have lots of commitment. House loan lah is about RM1000, car loan RM1000, phone bill, home Astro bill, money for my mom, so around RM600."
"RM600, is that minimum or maximum?" she'd ask. I replied, "Oh this is about minimum."
Then she says, "I guess that's ok. Maybe I can get more. Are you sweating already?"
Of course I am, but i say, "No lah, I told you how many times already. Do not worry. I will take good care of you one."
Some days later, she calls up as I am arriving to meet a friend at E-Gate for a cuppa at Starbucks.
At some point, the conversation turns to the above again!....
Of course, a nice guy also has a patience breaking point and I told her sternly and loudly, "I told you already, you don't have to worry and I will take care of you. Why do you keep asking me this question?"
"Are you shouting at me? I don't like the tone of your voice. Do you know that I really try to improve myself. I used to be impatient, now I am trying not to be angry. Why are you shouting at me?"
So replying softly, I say, "Look, why do you want to keep asking this question? I have already told you the answer."
"I am a girl. I have to take care of myself. I must be sure that you are the guy for me. If I don't ask, how will I know you are a good guy. I want to know what type of response you will give. There are many bad guys out there. In fact most of the guys out there are bad. There are only very few who are good. So I want to make sure that you really mean what you say."
I gave that a thought. Then I said, "So you are testing me?"
"Yes."
"I thought you said I cannot test you. You will be unhappy if I test you. But why are you testing me now? What difference is there between you and me?"
There was never an answer to that question. But in my heart I felt this would not work. She gave me the impression, with her words, that she was all for money. And that in testing me in a way gave me the feeling that she had no trust in me. No matter how much I cared for her, tried to answer her, looked for ways to resolve issues....IT WAS A HEADACHE.
..//..
Monday, June 2, 2008
Whatever happened in May??
I am just terrible. I went on for one month without updating my blog :(
Its just like i used up the quota for May in April and just went from riding a Blogging TGV in April and ended up on a Blogging Sampan in May.
It was a really hectic month and emotionally draining. Just to give a quick review of May....
- Well, CF's dad passed away in the early hours of the 5th. And then after that, it was really a trying time for her....and me. I have never been the comforting type, i sucked at it and really didn't know how to comfort. So while although i was there, I still wasn't really there. Over May, she was really on a short fuse. At anytime she would just hit out.
It's just difficult, losing a loved one. You know that you are not going to see him/her again. So I cannot expect her to be happy all the time. Anyway, we had a fair share of disagreements but most of them got settled well.
I am glad she does feel better but work is overwhelming for her. I must get her something once this stupid audit of hers is over.
- My big big bosses from the US came over. We just had to have lots and lots of meetings. And as usual, in preparation for their arrival, I had to prepare lots of slides. So that was really time consuming.
- My car got scratched. Twice. Once by myself, being the expert driver, scraped my car side against the parking wall at church. And the second time by some s-hole who must have had the worse reverse parking skills. It happened in Tesco (why do accidents, scratches, robberies, car thefts, drug dealers happen at Tesco?). I mean if your skills at parking suck, then drive somewhere else and park where there is no car on your left, right, front and back....sheesh....
So that's just a brief of May. Now its JUNE! Ya....I hope it will be a better month.
..//..
Its just like i used up the quota for May in April and just went from riding a Blogging TGV in April and ended up on a Blogging Sampan in May.
It was a really hectic month and emotionally draining. Just to give a quick review of May....
- Well, CF's dad passed away in the early hours of the 5th. And then after that, it was really a trying time for her....and me. I have never been the comforting type, i sucked at it and really didn't know how to comfort. So while although i was there, I still wasn't really there. Over May, she was really on a short fuse. At anytime she would just hit out.
It's just difficult, losing a loved one. You know that you are not going to see him/her again. So I cannot expect her to be happy all the time. Anyway, we had a fair share of disagreements but most of them got settled well.
I am glad she does feel better but work is overwhelming for her. I must get her something once this stupid audit of hers is over.
- My big big bosses from the US came over. We just had to have lots and lots of meetings. And as usual, in preparation for their arrival, I had to prepare lots of slides. So that was really time consuming.
- My car got scratched. Twice. Once by myself, being the expert driver, scraped my car side against the parking wall at church. And the second time by some s-hole who must have had the worse reverse parking skills. It happened in Tesco (why do accidents, scratches, robberies, car thefts, drug dealers happen at Tesco?). I mean if your skills at parking suck, then drive somewhere else and park where there is no car on your left, right, front and back....sheesh....
So that's just a brief of May. Now its JUNE! Ya....I hope it will be a better month.
..//..
Saturday, May 3, 2008
How I went from was to is....and the future...
The live telecast stays....for now. Unless Parliament goes on to calling other names. So once they get rowdy again, then they will clamp down on Parliament. Here is Big Monkey and Big Foot....
Swimming was like my only exercise for years on end. I was a pretty fat kid. Eat a lot and swim little. Then when I went to college, I was still a pretty fat teenager. Even when I went to Leeds in West Yorkshire to study, I was still a fat post-teenager.
One day, I went grocery shopping at Morrison's.
They don't have it in Malaysia but it was the place to buy the stuff u needed when u were there....(stories about Grovesnor will come other times). So one day, I took a bus ride to the foot of the hill, I cannot remember why I got off there and not the stop in front of Parkinsons,
i was a bone skeleton of 53kg. But slowly i recovered, came up to 58kg and stayed at that weight for like 10years. Now i am bloating up to 64kg, but wat the heck....I'll need to go on a low carb diet.
In fact, we should just censor them. I think FINAS (http://www.finas.gov.my/) will do a good job.....Imagine, when the MPs speak, suddenly there's bleepings in the take. I know it's live, so that someone hired by FINAS to add in the bleeps must be a psychic to know what's going to come out next from the MPs mouth.....
I met an old friend at the Youth Park today. Mr. CC Koay, from my first company.
He invited me to play badminton at Yesterday Club on Sunday evenings, 3pm with the other ex-Astec folks. I will take him up on the offer. Let's see how it turns out. Just a side note. There is a restaurant at Yesterday Club that serves pretty good Thai food. It's called Prontip. Here's another blogger commenting on it (the Thai restaurant, not the badminton courts):
Last weekend's badminton with Tommy C., Meng Loong and Loi Cheng was great! I mean we haven't played in like 3-4 months, but we had 1 court to ourselves for about 2 and half hours. So it was tremendously fun. Only to leave us with sore bums and leg muscles on Monday....Hahaha...
I have a few sports of favourite.....swimming, squash, badminton, table tennis and hiking. This is not in my order of preference. I like all of them as much. I have just listed them down in order of when I started to practice them earnestly and still do keep at it.
Swimming was like my only exercise for years on end. I was a pretty fat kid. Eat a lot and swim little. Then when I went to college, I was still a pretty fat teenager. Even when I went to Leeds in West Yorkshire to study, I was still a fat post-teenager.
So I get to Leeds, and the university Halls of Residence is up a hill. Its called Charles Morris Hall.
One day, I went grocery shopping at Morrison's.
They don't have it in Malaysia but it was the place to buy the stuff u needed when u were there....(stories about Grovesnor will come other times). So one day, I took a bus ride to the foot of the hill, I cannot remember why I got off there and not the stop in front of Parkinsons, 
but I wanted the exercise up the hill. You can imagine then, going up the hill, during autumn, in a sweater.....By the time I reached my room at the halls, I was like drenched and breathing like a fish out of water...but worse...
My resolution - Slim down...
I started it off with cutting down on Kashmir's Mushroom Bhajis for snacks and Chicken Tikka Masala for suppers. I watch my diet carefully and decided to start playing squash. And it really helped. I slimmed...Slim down from 65kg to 58kg. Then we had a Deepavali celebration or also called Diwali in England. And we went to this Indian restaurant where i had one curry too many. I fell sick.
Sick = Fever = Chill = Torture in cold English weather. I did not have the appetite to eat and did not bother to show up for classes. By the time i had recovered, through my Cintan (thank God for Cintan) and egg diet,
i was a bone skeleton of 53kg. But slowly i recovered, came up to 58kg and stayed at that weight for like 10years. Now i am bloating up to 64kg, but wat the heck....I'll need to go on a low carb diet.I realized then that just squash alone would not be sufficient once i returned. Not many people play squash, except for Yong Sheng and Tim. So if they are available, we will play but if not then no squash game.
So when I joined Astec, I picked up badminton. That was in 1999. Yes, I was a late sports bloomer. Then when I joined my current company in 2001, I picked up table tennis. And in 2003, I started going hiking, but its only occassionally now as the descend is bad for the knees. :)
That's how I need to keep myself slim and not bloat into what I do not wanna be. And that scares the hell out of me.....I WILL NOT HAVE A BEER BELLY!!!
The real one is too disgusting....I am not putting it here....EVER!
..//..
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Of books, food, money and sex.....
I finished reading First, Break all the Rules.
I think if another manager does not treat his employees well, then I should try to find an opening, create a role to match his talent and take that person in. Why waste a good resource because of convention?
I just read an article on CNN. It says here, 9 Forbidden Foods. Certain states have started regulating the type of food served to the public....
8. Shark's fin - A delicacy for the Chinese folks anywhere in the world. I try to avoid it too. Unless it gets served at a wedding banquet. I have no say to not having it, so if it is served, I will eat it. Jerry has says that he'd probably do way with the Shark's fin at his wedding (whenever in the future that is) and replace the dish with something else. Good for him. I hope QF agrees too. This will be good for the sharks.
Today's Star had the latest in the Durex Global WellBeing Survey.
It's a pretty good book. I am fortunate to have got my hands on Good to Great and this one. They really open the mind to new ideas, new thoughts and new ways to manage and drive your team.
I won't really bother about how other manager's think, but I want to bother about how i think and treat my employees.
Here is one takeway...
I think if another manager does not treat his employees well, then I should try to find an opening, create a role to match his talent and take that person in. Why waste a good resource because of convention?
Moving on, I will help myself to Blue Ocean Strategy. It is by W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne. It says on the front "How to create uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant". Interesting.....Making the competition IRRELEVANT. This would be something for the higher ups, but I thought I'd give it a try.
I just read an article on CNN. It says here, 9 Forbidden Foods. Certain states have started regulating the type of food served to the public....
They are:
1. Trans fat i.e. margarine, hydrogenated vegetable oil.
I don't know about them. I try to avoid this as much as possible. I'm not a real fan of margarine and hydrogenated oil, but in Penang, it's lard, ghee and all the other most unhealthy oils. No choice....I do not intend to tell the mamak boss, "Boss, roti telur satu, keluarkan telur kuning, guna hanya telur putih, tak boleh guna ghee, mesti guna 'olive oil', jangan masak sampai hitam, mesti putih lagi....." I think i will find myself face down at the roadside of some Pelita, Kassim Mustafa or Subaidah....
2. Raw Milk - Enough said. I am not a fan of unpasteurized milk.
3. Absinthe - Not popular in Malaysia. I have never tasted it. But i remembered that Kirsten Dunst poisoned 2 boys in "Interview with the Vampire" only to feed them (the two boys) to Tom Cruise's Lestat...The blood was laced with absinthe....And after that she proceeded to slit Lestat's throat with a pair of scissors.
4. Foie Gras - Goose liver. Its a delicacy that i have always wanted to try. But not the cruel way of making it. I'm giving that a pass from now on. I mean, what kinda people would stuff down food into a goose only later to harvest it for the fatty liver? Forget about it....
5. Chilean Sea Bass or Patagonian Toothfish - Hmm...I have never tasted the meat before, but they say its good. Anyhow, the most expensive fish i have ever eaten is one that went for RM36/100gm and this fish came up to 1.5kg. It cost the table RM536, but the Japanese who were with us at the table was praising that fish. No funny names....It's just called "Lo Syee Pan" or Mouse Grouper.
6. Horse meat - Now, this I wanna try. But no one's selling eat. I am game for bats, foxes, snakes, horse, tiger, etc...all the exotic stuff. I have never had the chance to try. I want it legal, but errr....I think it won't come by in Penang.
I do think that Tommy Chin can tell me how it (horse meat) tastes like....He was hoodwinked by some Iwasaki guy to a meal of "Horse Meat Shabu Shabu". Poor fella....He was supposed to sabotage Iwasaki, during his visit to Penang, with Sup Lembu Torpedo. He did not have the guts....The coward.
7. Caviar - Roe of the sturgeon. This one really needs some regulation. Though I like it, I am willing to give it a miss. We need more sturgeons for more eggs. But I did not know sturgeons were so big....Big...just like tuna!
8. Shark's fin - A delicacy for the Chinese folks anywhere in the world. I try to avoid it too. Unless it gets served at a wedding banquet. I have no say to not having it, so if it is served, I will eat it. Jerry has says that he'd probably do way with the Shark's fin at his wedding (whenever in the future that is) and replace the dish with something else. Good for him. I hope QF agrees too. This will be good for the sharks.
9. High Fructose Corn Syrup - It doesn't ring a bell in Malaysia....Hahaha....
Malaysia's first Parliament session was two days ago. And it was a big ruckus. Members of Parliament acting like school kids arguing away. So the Information Minister is considering removing the live telecast until the MPs get a grip on their attitudes and language. Our dear PM also want to do that....Says he is ashamed. But what the heck? They give a real run for fun. They should leave it there....
If he removes the live telecast, it only gives MPs more reason just to continue with their current arrogance and attitude. The 'rakyat' is not seeing their character, so they do not need to keep themselves in check. I wonder what more un-helpful ideas can come from Ahmad Sabeery Cheek.
Keep the live telecast there. Show the rakyat what the MPs are up to.
The Feds cut the interest rates in the US again. They were down from 5.25% in Sept 2007 to 2% today. Interest rates in Malaysia have been sort of constant at 6.75% no change. My loan payment for my house will still be the same. I have to fork out RM996/month for the next 30 years or so....and RM1051/month for another 4 years to pay for my car. Another RM50000 for my car. I will have no money in the end. :(
Today's Star had the latest in the Durex Global WellBeing Survey.
Just refer here and they have the results!....
Seems that Malaysians have a lot of sex, but only 44% can reach orgasm...Hmmm....And Singaporeans reach it only 36%. 62% Malaysian males reach climax, while only 25% of females ALMOST always (what is ALMOST always) achieve orgasm. I think Durex should feature one article on how to make a woman reach orgasm. This will really be a helpful article for guys....Hahaha....But i think the best would be to help guys reach multiple orgasms....Now that would be something else....
..//..
Monday, April 28, 2008
Expectation of a Manager by an Employee...by a Manager
I am inclined to think.
I have been reading a bit, reading through Good to Great (Jim Collins) and then now, First, Break All the Rules (Marcus Buckingham). Actually in between there was True North by Bill George, Shift: Inside Nissan’s Historic Revival by Carlos Ghosn, Blue Ocean Strategy by W.Chan Kim. Anyway I digress.
--> Look here: http://www.thinkers50.com/?page=biographies
The world today is globalized. Wherever we look there are plenty of opportunities to move between companies. This makes it easier for good talent and skills to move from one company to another.
As a manager, should I fear this or remember that there are others who can take their place?The managerial mindset differs from manager to manager. I have seen how my team will act and react based on the type of manager I am.
One of a manager’s skills is to be able to tune himself effectively to manage his individual employee. Each employee has a different string to play to. Pluck the right string and he will perform. Failing to pluck that string will result in his inability to perform.
A manager should not dictate his managerial style on to the employees. I have seen this happen and it ends up the employee feeling dissatisfied, grumpy, unhappy and dissenting. Playing to their strings by the manager will help to enhance the relationship, understanding, motivate them and push them.
How should a manager treat and react to an employee if he/she (the employee) is asked to give leadership effectiveness feedback on the management as a whole? Each manager will have a role to play to ensure that the feedback is successful. The manager needs to realize he is asking the employee to rate him/her. He has to cater to the individual employee’s needs.
It does not mean that the engineer does not cater to the manager’s expectations. This is always set out in the objectives and targets discussion with the managers but then the employees do not discuss expectations and deliverables FROM their managers with the managers. Employees are looking at the manager not only for directions, but also leadership and coaching. Employees should be encouraged to open up, but at the same time managers need to take these feedbacks openly.
A manager has to be caring yet stern, patient yet aggressive, understanding yet forceful. What I am trying to say is that to move forward in this new globalized economy, managers need to be good coaches AND leaders while at the same time reaching out to their employees and addressing the needs of those employees as best they can.
..//..
I have been reading a bit, reading through Good to Great (Jim Collins) and then now, First, Break All the Rules (Marcus Buckingham). Actually in between there was True North by Bill George, Shift: Inside Nissan’s Historic Revival by Carlos Ghosn, Blue Ocean Strategy by W.Chan Kim. Anyway I digress.
--> Look here: http://www.thinkers50.com/?page=biographies
The world today is globalized. Wherever we look there are plenty of opportunities to move between companies. This makes it easier for good talent and skills to move from one company to another.
As a manager, should I fear this or remember that there are others who can take their place?The managerial mindset differs from manager to manager. I have seen how my team will act and react based on the type of manager I am.
One of a manager’s skills is to be able to tune himself effectively to manage his individual employee. Each employee has a different string to play to. Pluck the right string and he will perform. Failing to pluck that string will result in his inability to perform.
A manager should not dictate his managerial style on to the employees. I have seen this happen and it ends up the employee feeling dissatisfied, grumpy, unhappy and dissenting. Playing to their strings by the manager will help to enhance the relationship, understanding, motivate them and push them.
How should a manager treat and react to an employee if he/she (the employee) is asked to give leadership effectiveness feedback on the management as a whole? Each manager will have a role to play to ensure that the feedback is successful. The manager needs to realize he is asking the employee to rate him/her. He has to cater to the individual employee’s needs.
It does not mean that the engineer does not cater to the manager’s expectations. This is always set out in the objectives and targets discussion with the managers but then the employees do not discuss expectations and deliverables FROM their managers with the managers. Employees are looking at the manager not only for directions, but also leadership and coaching. Employees should be encouraged to open up, but at the same time managers need to take these feedbacks openly.
A manager has to be caring yet stern, patient yet aggressive, understanding yet forceful. What I am trying to say is that to move forward in this new globalized economy, managers need to be good coaches AND leaders while at the same time reaching out to their employees and addressing the needs of those employees as best they can.
..//..
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Blogging on Sunday afternoon.....
It is hot like hell out there....So I decided to stay in and blog a bit...
Well, first thing off....I need to get myself a camera. Seriously, I think i cannot go on like that blogging without getting a thin and easily portable camera. I think its time to return to the technical pages on the Internet and see what is both GOOD, QUALITY and ECONOMICAL...sorry, its not both but all. I want to carry a camera around and snap lots of pics, and dun get into trouble with some jealous guy....Hahaha....Power Shots are big, so i may look at IXUS.
Hmm...My company will announce if I am getting ANY bonus somewhere in mid-May, but I won't see the whites of the cash until end of June.
US economy ain't that good, but still there were still a hosts of companies that reported better than expected earnings. I hope mine is one of them. Darn it....I NEED THE MONEY!! SHOW ME THE MONEY!!.....
Talking about that (money that is), I cannot imagine how some of the managers in my company managed to get houses in high end residential areas like Minden Heights. I mean, I can hardly make ends meet, and my belt is like tighten until my top looks like my bottoms and yet I am still short of money. How did they manage it?
I think I need to have better investment know how. My current technique will allow my portfolio to grow, but at a very meagre 10-20% a year. And I don't spend that money. So now the question is "How to spend money and yet at the same time make money to replace the money you have spent and still have enough to save?" Anyone got any ideas?? I need to study better, or become a Mutual Fund Adviser. Advise myself and save on the commissions. Hmm....
So I went out over to Borders to look at some books, I got myself Fortune & Time Combo with Warren Buffet's take on the current economic situation. Also I got a Thomas L. Friedman book called The World is Flat. I will read that after finishing First, Break All the Rules. Hopefully some of this will help me understand current problems. I also got a copy of Personal Money advising on how to stay alive with the current rising prices. How lah? Food price up? Petrol price up? Stuff price up? Everything price up except my salary...... :(
I did open the Gold Investment Account on Friday. Hope it will do well. It must have been pretty good, cause when it reached our turn (a friend and mine), they had ran out of passbooks. So apparently this must have been one of the most popular investment feature in Public Bank. Apparently, they keep their passbooks in a timelock safe. I wonder why? I mean you don't have to right? After all, nobody can print anything if they are not part of Public Bank right? Or am I wrong? Anyway, they told me to go back there at 3pm. That's what I did, and I got myself my GIA Passbook. Gold was down to USD888/oz.
CF asked if I liked to use vulgar words. :_I said that I did not use them in front of her because I respected her and I would NEVER use them in anger towards her. Then she said something like "I like a man who uses those words" and I was thinking, "Well, you'll never hear me use them in front of you. I got more respect for you than juz spewing out 4 letter Eff words." Only if she read this blog...Sorry girl, no EFF word in front of you. :)
You can see the difference between the blogs.....When i am not frustrated not a single FcUk will be seen.....(That one just 4 words back was for example). But when my nerves are touched, I get frustrated and if it is all ridiculous reasons, its NO HOLDS BARRED....Just like Raja Petra's site.
http://www.malaysia-today.net/2008/
Tomorrow, Parliament opens. It will be best to stay home for the morning half just in case there are too many cross overs resulting in the Pakatan Rakyat forming the Federal Government. I do not think that will happen, but I will keep two ears and two eyes out for any news. I will go to work as usual, but hope that the Parliament opening will proceed as usual.
http://www.parlimen.gov.my/
People in the news: Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Lim Kit Siang, Hadi Awang Salleh. Lets see what turns up tomorrow.....
..//..
Well, first thing off....I need to get myself a camera. Seriously, I think i cannot go on like that blogging without getting a thin and easily portable camera. I think its time to return to the technical pages on the Internet and see what is both GOOD, QUALITY and ECONOMICAL...sorry, its not both but all. I want to carry a camera around and snap lots of pics, and dun get into trouble with some jealous guy....Hahaha....Power Shots are big, so i may look at IXUS.
Hmm...My company will announce if I am getting ANY bonus somewhere in mid-May, but I won't see the whites of the cash until end of June.
US economy ain't that good, but still there were still a hosts of companies that reported better than expected earnings. I hope mine is one of them. Darn it....I NEED THE MONEY!! SHOW ME THE MONEY!!.....
Talking about that (money that is), I cannot imagine how some of the managers in my company managed to get houses in high end residential areas like Minden Heights. I mean, I can hardly make ends meet, and my belt is like tighten until my top looks like my bottoms and yet I am still short of money. How did they manage it?
I think I need to have better investment know how. My current technique will allow my portfolio to grow, but at a very meagre 10-20% a year. And I don't spend that money. So now the question is "How to spend money and yet at the same time make money to replace the money you have spent and still have enough to save?" Anyone got any ideas?? I need to study better, or become a Mutual Fund Adviser. Advise myself and save on the commissions. Hmm....
So I went out over to Borders to look at some books, I got myself Fortune & Time Combo with Warren Buffet's take on the current economic situation. Also I got a Thomas L. Friedman book called The World is Flat. I will read that after finishing First, Break All the Rules. Hopefully some of this will help me understand current problems. I also got a copy of Personal Money advising on how to stay alive with the current rising prices. How lah? Food price up? Petrol price up? Stuff price up? Everything price up except my salary...... :(
I did open the Gold Investment Account on Friday. Hope it will do well. It must have been pretty good, cause when it reached our turn (a friend and mine), they had ran out of passbooks. So apparently this must have been one of the most popular investment feature in Public Bank. Apparently, they keep their passbooks in a timelock safe. I wonder why? I mean you don't have to right? After all, nobody can print anything if they are not part of Public Bank right? Or am I wrong? Anyway, they told me to go back there at 3pm. That's what I did, and I got myself my GIA Passbook. Gold was down to USD888/oz.
CF asked if I liked to use vulgar words. :_I said that I did not use them in front of her because I respected her and I would NEVER use them in anger towards her. Then she said something like "I like a man who uses those words" and I was thinking, "Well, you'll never hear me use them in front of you. I got more respect for you than juz spewing out 4 letter Eff words." Only if she read this blog...Sorry girl, no EFF word in front of you. :)
You can see the difference between the blogs.....When i am not frustrated not a single FcUk will be seen.....(That one just 4 words back was for example). But when my nerves are touched, I get frustrated and if it is all ridiculous reasons, its NO HOLDS BARRED....Just like Raja Petra's site.
http://www.malaysia-today.net/2008/
Tomorrow, Parliament opens. It will be best to stay home for the morning half just in case there are too many cross overs resulting in the Pakatan Rakyat forming the Federal Government. I do not think that will happen, but I will keep two ears and two eyes out for any news. I will go to work as usual, but hope that the Parliament opening will proceed as usual.
http://www.parlimen.gov.my/
People in the news: Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Lim Kit Siang, Hadi Awang Salleh. Lets see what turns up tomorrow.....
..//..
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