Thankful

Times when we feel run down. Times when we feel surpressed. Times when we feel delighted. Its ok. Because we are still standing on our own two feet and still surviving. We thank our lucky stars that we are not limbless. Greyhounds on the loose, waiting to snap at you. We avoid and defy the odds.

Still Time

Staring down these days ahead

And the days gone by

All these regrets

Best make room for love

Seems we're always racing

With trouble too close behind

We may never win

But where there's still hope
There's still time

Why blame ourselves at all

For promises we never made

Though I'd blame myself

If I should lose your love

Always some bridge to cross

Or some mountain to climb

But all is not lost

Sure as the stars above
There's still time
Still time to find what

We've been looking for

Still time to find out

There's no need to search anymore

For love

Staring down these days ahead

And the days gone by

All these regrets

Best make room for love

PT Huawei: Jakarta

There wont be any blog updates for a while to come because Internet is scarce here in Indonesia... or maybe not... or maybe I am just too caught up with work here that it does not seem so convenient after all unlike in Malaysia where Internet access is everywhere and anytime.

Anyway, just a bit of update on myself here. I have been utterly stunned by my 2 weeks so far in Jakarta. It has been so cool here... apart from the traffic that is, which I will start loving and appreciating KL traffic when I get home. Jakarta is so much more different than how I imagined it to be. Crucify me but hey, Indonesia is the first Asian country I am travelling in and Jakarta is splendid. It's so Asian in so many ways and yet, there are Western, Javanese and Balinese's cultures all mixed up together which makes it so special. It's hard for me to explain but its an eye opener for me. Too bad couldnt post any pixies here yet!

But it's all good. I am loving my time here and at the same time, I am learning how to appreciate my life in Malaysia more than ever. It's easy to forget what we are living for, rather than what makes life worth living for. It's all a contradiction and being here brought me into realization of something so much more important apart from the work.

Anyway, Happy Holidays everyone, maybe a wee bit too late for Christmas but heck... Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year everyone... Happy Festive Seasons and Happy Holidays!

Sam Poh Tong: Enclosure of Caves and Religion

City of Caves - Ipoh

Set 1: This picturesque is set in the middle of the caves where a temple lies in between the serenity of nature and the calm of the morning

Set 2: Another cave setting about 5 minutes drive away lies the statues of Lord Buddha and Kuan Yin all scattered in an open area ready to be displayed. Also, a tree replicated and originated from HK, where wishes are written on a testament, tied to an orange or mandarin and thrown up till it hangs there.

Set 3: Famous for its Chinese population in Ipoh, most are devotees of the Taoist and Buddhist nature.

Set 4: The Kuan Yin statue sits calmly at the foot of the hill, overlooking and guarding the entire column of caves situated in the most famous area called Sam Poh Tong.

It could be fairly said that one travelling from Kuala Lumpur up North should not miss the beautiful sight of caves located just off the PLUS (North South) highway on the Simpang Pulai Interchange. I have not personally been there for 7 years due to my overseas stint. However, I am still at awe everytime I drive pass them and still truly amazed at how these structures are preserved and glorified. Not so much because it is Buddhist and Taoist in nature but how structures and Temples are built amongst the enclavement of caves. It is truly fascinating. These limestone hills have been in existence for a long long time and remains a truly remarkable landmark for anyone visiting Ipoh.

Till then, I am ok. My BT is getting near and I am truly excited. Thanks for the arrangements and all Lina. Much appreciated. Well, gotta go now, was raining cats and dogs just now, and its stopped. Chao...

Photography

Huawei Tech (M)

Huawei (M) - My Office's Entrance




A Truly Maginificient Sight from my office

The Majestic KLCC

Folks, these are the images I capture every night when I come out from my office. Yes, i have not seen sunlight when I finish work ever since the second month and although it sucks, these views complement them. Just thought of sharing them with the world. It isnt pleasant coming out from the office knowing its already 9-10pm, but this is exactly what that brings a smile to me. The bright lights that lits up KLCC... splendid!

Life is ok on my side. The usual stuffs go on every single day, meeting subcons, calls, contracts, payments, verifications, signatures... getting the hang of it now. And 'K', you are in the UK? Nice knowing that there's a Malaysian actually there. I was there once... not with Huawei though. Didnt get to know Huawei existed until I came back to Malaysia. And Lina, you've been my strength at work, days when you weren't there made my work more stressful. Thank you.

Raya came and passed, it was a good week meeting up with the lads. But life on the other side is even better... strange, weird but I have been blushed time and time again by offers. Damn... never had it better but it still does feel strange. Never thought I would have this opportunity. Now that I have, its funny. I am still not ready.

More pics to come in weeks. Ta'...

Huawei: Towards Confirmation

3 months has passed in a wizz... and I am towards my confirmation period now. Just keeping my fingers crossed because I still need to go through the whole damn process of presentation, evaluation by the directors, and an interview. This is gonna be fun.

Anyway, a little update of myself here. Life's getting tougher but better as well. Supposed to be Indonesia now but postponed due to the bird flu and bombings but its still inevitable as I am planning my working trip there in December. It's gonna be a hectic and busy few months now till CNY with friend's wedding soon, itenararies to plan, and best of all, a wedding planner. Never thought I would have the chance to be one. It would be great fun especially when I have been awarded to role to lead as the Best Man. First time though... :-)

Work is ok. Schedule getting tighter, more things to do, rushing for deadlines, meeting people, its all just so cool. My new life is absolutely packed... good in a way because it keeps me on my toes and also not forgetting colleagues home and away who have been very very supportive. Thanks guys and gals. Lina, thanks for your support all the way. It means tremendously much. The downside of it is that I think I will reconsider my boss's suggestion that I should hire another person because I am absolutely choked! Handling millions in a month is something that is heavy going... but I am still up for the challenge. Maybe, just maybe,... I am still considering her options. She's on leave again, until end of the month and this is something that pisses me off. Its not that I am dependent on her but to be honest, its not something that a boss would do right? In fact, I still do my things the way it is every single day and I am just hoping she doesnt put on more workload. But hey, its still a job and I'll take something out of it. The best part of this job is the travelling... yippee. Soon...

Later... need to have my dinner now. Getting hungrier. Ta'...

Thanks

Life is just a nomenclature for living. How very true. I endured a good part of my life back here in Malaysia trying to venture out and see for myself what's so good and what's not. I ended up still confused but nonetheless, contented and happy. Tried new things, build up my rapport and still, I am dazed. Why did certain things changed? How come circumstances mattered because to me, it was a whole lot of bollocks!

Work is going great guns. I am reaching out to people more than what I've expected. My schedule is tight. More responsibilities. Higher role to play. I have not changed. I am still the person I am. To those who rehabilitated me, thank you! To those who listened without taking stands, thank you. You all have been tremendous.

I am doing more good now than in the past 6 years. Things have been utterly fantastic. I cant thank you all more.

Sunset Boulevard @ Tropicana

Tropicana Sunset

Sunset @ 6.46pm




Sunset @ 6.52pm



Sunset @ 6.57pm



Sunset @ 7.06pm

Isn't it beautiful? Vitta Est Bella... These shots were taken using an amateurish Sony DSC P-10 from my bedroom window on a beautiful Saturday evening. Not withstanding that, I think these pictures are by far the most beautiful natural scenic moments captured in my life. There was once, a while ago in Liverpool, but it was too far.

Merdeka Day whizzed by in a jiffy, all the Merdeka hype about independence and national unity all faded away into some servers storing hyped up ads about how we should live our lives and how much we've progressed since then with all the first class infrastructure and third world mentality! The good news is, you'll see them in a years time... in 2006, same message and same mentality, NIMB (Not in my backyard), NATO (No action, talk only)... bla bla bla... etc.

Neither did I also ever imagined our YAB Ahmad Badawi to be so juvenile in his Merdeka speech. Too nice to be true? Sad? I mean, did anyone really saw his speech… ?... never mind listening. It was utterly disappointing to say the least. I’ve heard so much about him… the Royal Police Commission, bribes,, blab la bla… all of which was what he upholds. Noble values… I mean, you would rather have thought that well, maybe, just maybe he’ll show his strength to his people on the 48th Anniversary of our country’s independence or maybe an insight into his future plans to develop Malaysia towards V2020. I was expecting something more solid, motivational, inspirational or perhaps, the integrity and dignity that he could have earned or redeemed as the Prime Minister, Head of State, President or whatever you want to call it, of our country. Anyway, bet no one saw his speech because Merdeka was just another day, another holiday where people can spend time living their cushy life shopping, eating, drinking and relaxing until D-Day beckons. Then we'll look back and start asking questions. Could we have governed her better?

However, there are of course a portion of patriotic people out there struggling to upkeep what this country earned 48 years ago while some waste it away. In Malaysia, politics are abused for their own freaking needs. Greed. Period. 'If not now, when?.. when the economy is in the doldrums again?' It was sad to hear how a bunch of city execs at KLCC Starbucks were discussing how to earn their filthy money, how company policies can be abused for their own greed! Talk about power abuse and noble values. I struggle to vision Malaysia where they are in 2020 with all these mindsets. Meanwhile, the good news is, no one gives a shit and most people lead their live as though we are a truly developed nation and the government recipocrates by pretending as though we already are! Hence, you judge for yourselves.

Happy Merdeka once again Malaysia.

And its nice to know that some politicians still believe that maybe, just maybe a truly Malaysian race can be cultivated, thanks YAB Badawi, YB KY Lim and KS Lim. Thank you.

Happy Merdeka Malaysia

I cant believe it. It's been almost 10 years since I last celebrated Merdeka... not intentionally but hey, it's Merdeka. I am not celebrating it tonight, was intending to stay and watch the fireworks at KLCC but after advices, I decided not to because it'll be packed and there'll be no room to move afterwards...even on the LRT! So, forget it! But the gang is going to yum cha... so, here's three cheers to you anyway! Merdeka! The last I remember about Merdeka is when it was 1995 when it was after my SPM, it was grand, fireworks and most of all, the bike racing thing! Thinking back makes me smile... but I am definitely not looking forward to the bike thingy... just wanna stay at home and relax and do my own shit.

Ten years is a very long time, yet so near, it was just in an eclipse of an eye. I have resigned to know that I've grown up, working and currently thinking about stuffs I've not thought about 10 years ago. Tonight will be a reflection of what went by so quick and so profoundly over those years.

I'll update more during the weekend. Chao

Jazzy Sunday

It is a rather intimidating Sunday. I am now at Starbucks, its raining heavily, the traffic's horrendous, very slow moving and Ive finally got to understand why traffic comes to a standstill when it rains. I've always read about it in the UK but didn't actually know why until I experienced it myself. Not only the roads are flooded, even the expressways and highways are! That was the freaking problem because it seriously pours. It was raining cats and dogs... and I do really mean HEAVY. No wonder it floods. However, it was cool, it was my first weekend alone in KL and I absolutely loved it... especially today even though it poured and poured.

I mean, dont get me wrong. I love beautiful days, or for that matter Sundays, when it shines, when there is sunlight, everything is so beautiful, just like yesterday. However, when it rains, its not all that bad. Jazz themes fill the air, you can hear the raindrops (in this instance, loud ones) falling to earth, its all so cool. Everything is slow, relaxing and no one says a word which is cool in a way because everyone everwhere talks 24/7 from Monday to Friday, be it someone asking you to do something or etc. I am enjoying my moment now, and have been this weekend. Its so cool. Call me a weirdo, introvert or physco, how many can actually put their hands up and say, 'I've spent some quality time doing my own things in my own way, within my space and time.' No one wants to be alone, neither do I but we sometimes need that to readjust our bearings after hectic workdays.

Anyway, it has been a cool weekend. Not planning to waste that away, the clock is ticking. chao.

Second Week: Huawei

It was a boring first week.. with nothing much to do and loads to learn and grasp since I am not a telco guy. However, things have changed these week with loads to learn and deal with and worse of all is, I've only been given one week to sort out tonnes of shit. Well, guess that's just work... but one thing for sure, Huawei IS really a chinaman company. Just gotta get my bearings rite... but it being a chinaman company, it sure does impress me with its expansion. To say the least, it is really a GIGANTIC company and one wonders how they deal with foreigners or westerners at a level platform. This is an eye opener and I will definitely take a great deal out of it.

Work so far has been mundane, paperwork, paperwork, and paperwork. There's just too many redtapes around that work seems endless. Colleagues are ok but faces change every week. This moment you see this person around, the followng week they will be flown somewhere else. But I'm beginning to get the hang out of it... so, its ok. These few days have been absolutely choking... the haze is BACK. That's what everyone says... and worse of all is, its worse than before... the horrendous part is, no one is doing anything and that includes the freaking government. Hope it'll subside soon before the weekend because I am beginning to get very very agitated by it.

Ahhh... my new pad... looks ok, not too big or small, just nice, cosy. Not too far from the LRT station that I take to work everyday either... roughly about 10minutes and that's supposedly good. Anyway, things are beginning to look brighter and I am glad. I am currently at Starbucks KLCC blogging coz there isnt any internet access in the office. This chinaman restricted our access to increase productivity... I guess that's the way it works with them but it does prove to be a pain in the ass at times. Example... trying to download a driver when your system's crashed and you reinstalled Windows. The whole process would have been much quicker getting it from the internet but no... they had to download it from the main office, burned it, and couriered it to the MNI office at a cost and not to mention, time wasted. Anyway, if that's the way it works, that's the way its gonna be. If you cant beat them, join them! Mmmm... guess I've been using this phrase quite often these days too 'if that's the way its gonna be'.... maybe I've been trying to learn how to accept things more readily than refrain myself and get stuck with the old values.

Well, gotta go now, will be trying to update more often when I have the time because my workplace is just right opposite KLCC, abt 5minutes walk, but for now, I am choking. The haze is terrible. Chao.

Vita Est Bella

How can I just let you walk away, just let you leave without a trace
When I stand here taking every breath with you, ooh
You’re the only one who really knew me at all

How can you just walk away from me,
When all I can do is watch you leave
Cos we’ve shared the laughter and the pain and even shared the tears
You’re the only one who really knew me at all

So take a look at me now, oh there’s just an empty space
And there’s nothing left here to remind me,
Just the memory of your face
Ooh take a look at me now, well there’s just an empty space
And you coming back to me is against all odds and that’s what I’ve got to face

I wish I could just make you turn around,
Turn around and see me cry
There’s so much I need to say to you,
So many reasons why
You’re the only one who really knew me at all

So take a look at me now, well there’s just an empty space
And there’s nothing left here to remind me, just the memory of your face
Now take a look at me now, cos there’s just an empty space

But to wait for you, is all I can do and that’s what I’ve got to face
Take a good look at me now, cos I’ll still be standing here
And you coming back to me is against all odds
It’s the chance I’ve gotta take

Take a look at me now

-PC-

What a powerful song. Never really knew the meaning until it hit you smack on the face. It was also my first week on board Huawei Technologies. Completely exhausted but couldnt complain because it was very challenging albeit boring. I am completely knackered now. Goodnite.

Malaysia Boleh!

Yay.. congratulations Malaysia for making your presence felt in the world again..... for all the wrong reasons that is! This is just so typical... worst of all if it was reported like this, this and this. Really... for all the fucking wrong reasons. We are so proud of you.

Back In Order

Beginning to get things done at the moment. I've finally got the Huawei job after 3 excrutiating interviews. My start date will be on the 1st of August 2005... my first ever corporate job in Malaysia. Went to KLCC last week to do a medical and pending that result if all goes well, I will start as stated in the employment offer. As a matter of fact, I cant wait. I've been unemployed for over 3 months and I'm relieved. But to be honest, most people have waited longer than that... so, I should be glad. At the moment, things seem to be falling back into place... just signed a few papers on my first ever car in Malaysia, third in total, and I'm beginning to look at a few accomodation options. Although Huawei's Msian HQ is in KLCC, I'll be based in the MNI Twins just right opposite KLCC as seen below.

My job title would be as a Commercial Specialist...a wee bit hyped-up a.k.a glamorously conferred though, I'm expecting shit loads of one-man-show and backdated stuffs because this position was in fact only introduced in January and there will be loads of follow-ups to do. I wont be posted anywhere at the moment but will be required to do so in the future, which to me, is the most interesting part of this job. I will be dealing mostly with contract management procedures, subcontracting and logistics... and to be honest, the deal is just right for me. Cant wait to start.

Therefore, at the moment, I'll be trying to make full good use of this remaining 3 weeks to enjoy myself as much as possible before reality sets in...even though I've still got some paperwork to be sorted out. As I've said, things are beginning to fall back into place... after a roller coaster ride into hell and back for the last 2 months. I'm finally glad.

Motionless in Ipoh

It is coming back has returned to haunt me. I am getting chills down my spine...