My lovely fiancee left for the US on Monday afternoon. Her flight is firstly to Los Angeles with a brief stop over in Taiwan. Upon arrival in LA, she had a overnight stop before continuing her flight to Kansas.
Finally on Wednesday morning (Malaysian) time, she had arrived safely in Kansas after embarking on a 2 days journey there. One thing nice is she flew on Business Class which makes her trip fairly comfortable.
She was selected by her employer to attend a one year training in the US to learn more about their company's product line, design etc. It was a mixed feelings when I send her off at the airport.
I support her in this decision to up take this opportunity given by the company as I know, this will enhance her career path and it is a chance too good to be missed. I felt happy for her to get this opportunity, but deep inside, I miss her company a lot.
Missing her lovely voice that I can hear almost everyday after work as we use to call each other every day while driving home and talk until one of us reaches home for dinner first.
Knowing that she had settled well in the US have been a great relief and felt happy for her that good local arrangements had been done for her by her company. Now we will again be away from each other for the next year or so.
This relationship had been a very unique one. We got to know each other when we were 13,000+ kilometers apart, that time, I was in the UK and she was back here in Malaysia. Then, as we started as to fall in love and begin as a couple, 5th October 2000 (I remember the exact date!!) , she took up a very interesting career and went to Australia for few months before embarking her further studies in the UK for the next 5 years or so.
Then, in the year 2007, she came back to here to pursue her career in the industry. So fast, this year 2010, she is again approx 15,000km away.
I will be looking forward to seeing here again soon, perhaps during Christmas or CNY in 2011.
I sincerely Wish her All the Very Best in Her journey!!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
Last customer for the day
Yesterday (8th March 2010) was a really demanding day for me. I started the day very early, reaching office at about 7am to attend to a tele-con with a potential customer from Sydney. There the local time at Sydney is already 10am (3 hours ahead). The tele-con went on for about 2 hours and we manage to clarify lots of issues on their tender.
As I came in rather early, I left the office at about 1530 hrs to renew my car road tax which is coming due on the 15th March. Firstly I went to a nearby Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) to withdraw some cash. Unfortunately, the machine was not able to dispense the cash to me and requesting me to contact the bank. So without further doubts, I drove to the bank where I open my account previously informing them that my ATM card is not working. The bank employees did saw my card was not in a very good shape (thorn a bit already) and suggested me to change to a new card. So I did and it cost me RM12 for the replacement card. At that time it was already like 1615 and I was so worried that they are not able to replace it on time.
However, the bank officer was kind enough, made the last process for me and replaced my card with a new card. I am the very last customer to walk out from the bank yesterday at 1645. Banks closes at 1630.
Then, I straightaway drove to the nearest post office to renew my road tax and again, when I reach there it was already 1655 and again, I was the last customer allowed into the post office with the security guard close and lock one side of the twin glass door. The renewal was swift as I have all the documents in place and again, I am the last customer who walks out from the post office.
When I was driving home, I was thinking, such a lucky day for me being the last person to do everything... last person to walk out from the bank and post office before they closes for the day. Else, I might have to do it today.
Sometimes perfect timing is required and a bit of 'luck' is required to make a good day.
As I came in rather early, I left the office at about 1530 hrs to renew my car road tax which is coming due on the 15th March. Firstly I went to a nearby Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) to withdraw some cash. Unfortunately, the machine was not able to dispense the cash to me and requesting me to contact the bank. So without further doubts, I drove to the bank where I open my account previously informing them that my ATM card is not working. The bank employees did saw my card was not in a very good shape (thorn a bit already) and suggested me to change to a new card. So I did and it cost me RM12 for the replacement card. At that time it was already like 1615 and I was so worried that they are not able to replace it on time.
However, the bank officer was kind enough, made the last process for me and replaced my card with a new card. I am the very last customer to walk out from the bank yesterday at 1645. Banks closes at 1630.
Then, I straightaway drove to the nearest post office to renew my road tax and again, when I reach there it was already 1655 and again, I was the last customer allowed into the post office with the security guard close and lock one side of the twin glass door. The renewal was swift as I have all the documents in place and again, I am the last customer who walks out from the post office.
When I was driving home, I was thinking, such a lucky day for me being the last person to do everything... last person to walk out from the bank and post office before they closes for the day. Else, I might have to do it today.
Sometimes perfect timing is required and a bit of 'luck' is required to make a good day.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Different Way of thinking
As my previous posting, my function have now change from project management to sales.
Previously, I need to focus on getting the job completed on time and on budget. Even previously I have been involve in costing items for the project, but costing is not too major of my concern as my main concern is to ensure the plant works properly and deliver what it was suppose to as I am in-charge of the project and not selling the project to the customer.
However, ever since taking on this new role, I have a different mind set. To me, cost is a major factor that I need to look into as it will have to balance with the economics of the customer. I realise that now I am more cost aware and sensitive on the costing part.
Perhaps it is due to the pressure of needing to balance between the customer's saving and our expenditure, I tend to scrutinize every single dollars we are going to spend / cost in to the system.
I am not sure what else is going to change, but I see all these changes are for the better and I am taking positively.
Having taking this new role, I felt that I am communicating with more people and coordinating / juggling more work at the same time. Lets hope all will fall into one place which is to generate more projects and build more creditability.
Previously, I need to focus on getting the job completed on time and on budget. Even previously I have been involve in costing items for the project, but costing is not too major of my concern as my main concern is to ensure the plant works properly and deliver what it was suppose to as I am in-charge of the project and not selling the project to the customer.
However, ever since taking on this new role, I have a different mind set. To me, cost is a major factor that I need to look into as it will have to balance with the economics of the customer. I realise that now I am more cost aware and sensitive on the costing part.
Perhaps it is due to the pressure of needing to balance between the customer's saving and our expenditure, I tend to scrutinize every single dollars we are going to spend / cost in to the system.
I am not sure what else is going to change, but I see all these changes are for the better and I am taking positively.
Having taking this new role, I felt that I am communicating with more people and coordinating / juggling more work at the same time. Lets hope all will fall into one place which is to generate more projects and build more creditability.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Change of work Title
Perhaps I have posted this previously and it was based on the description of my boss. However, it was confirmed today via an appointment letter where for my new role in this new location, my work title had change to Business Development Manager instead of Project Manager previously.
This is a full time sales position and we carry budgets for the year on our shoulders. This year the number is looking pretty high for me and it is in a new country which I will be relocated to.
I hope I am able to deliver as everyone anticipated. It is not easy to carry such a title as normally such title is only for higher ranking or more senior manager as it is not easy to develop business and that title is Business Development Manger or BDM in short.
Cool eh...
This is a full time sales position and we carry budgets for the year on our shoulders. This year the number is looking pretty high for me and it is in a new country which I will be relocated to.
I hope I am able to deliver as everyone anticipated. It is not easy to carry such a title as normally such title is only for higher ranking or more senior manager as it is not easy to develop business and that title is Business Development Manger or BDM in short.
Cool eh...
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Last Day in the office before CNY Holidays
Today will be the last working day for me before the Chinese New Year Holidays.
Just finalized the trip to Sydney and New Zealand earlier today after one week of trying to get in-touch with the boss, as he was beyond reach for the last few days due to meetings and travelling.
Well, if you as me how many days off I will be taking, I can tell you I will be off from tomorrow until Sunday (21st Feb 2010) and on Sunday night, I will be flying to Sydney arriving there on Monday morning. So technically speaking, I will be starting work on the 8th day of the New Year.
This trip to Sydney will be also making visit to Auckland and New Plymouth, New Zealand to meet some of our colleagues there and some site visits before coming back.
Also, in this trip I will be meeting the Human Resource Manager there to discuss about my relocation or secondment to Australia. I am not sure what to expect and I am sure it will be a good offer.
Well, that is all for now, I think I will be meeting up with my gf and her housemate that is back here for CNY holidays in one of the shopping center for lunch, perhaps I might be very late when I arrived there due to the traffic. Keeping my fingers crossed.
To everyone out there, Happy New Year and Gong Xi Fa Cai!! May the year of the Tiger brings Health, Wealth, Joy and Prosperity to ALL out there and Happy Holidays!!
Just finalized the trip to Sydney and New Zealand earlier today after one week of trying to get in-touch with the boss, as he was beyond reach for the last few days due to meetings and travelling.
Well, if you as me how many days off I will be taking, I can tell you I will be off from tomorrow until Sunday (21st Feb 2010) and on Sunday night, I will be flying to Sydney arriving there on Monday morning. So technically speaking, I will be starting work on the 8th day of the New Year.
This trip to Sydney will be also making visit to Auckland and New Plymouth, New Zealand to meet some of our colleagues there and some site visits before coming back.
Also, in this trip I will be meeting the Human Resource Manager there to discuss about my relocation or secondment to Australia. I am not sure what to expect and I am sure it will be a good offer.
Well, that is all for now, I think I will be meeting up with my gf and her housemate that is back here for CNY holidays in one of the shopping center for lunch, perhaps I might be very late when I arrived there due to the traffic. Keeping my fingers crossed.
To everyone out there, Happy New Year and Gong Xi Fa Cai!! May the year of the Tiger brings Health, Wealth, Joy and Prosperity to ALL out there and Happy Holidays!!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
New Phone
Last Saturday (11th Feb 2010), I bought myself a new phone which I have been eyeing for some time already.
As usual me, for things that is of certain price, I will do all my background checks and read-up all that I can before I am willing to buy it.
This particular phone met all my requirements that I wish a phone could have to date. Firstly, it is in a colour that I kinda like - black. Then, it comes with many other feature e.g. WiFi enable, Bluetooth and the best part is it has a GPS and a Map which I can use it for navigations.
Just before I bought the phone, I had made some enquiry about installing the map on the phone from a reputable map / navigation company where they sell their maps in memory card that can be used on the mobile phone. However, as I bought this phone it comes with the map / navigation function that I need not to pay anything more.
Only after so many days of buying the phone, yesterday I took out the manual and begin to read it. There is one more cool feature that came with the phone which is it had a function that when the phone rings and you want to ringtone to stop without answering the phone, all you need to do is to turn the phone with the screen facing the table and automatically the phone stops ringing without you pressing anything. Cool right??
Overall, I would say this phone manage to meet all my requirements and have all the feature that I needed for a phone. I would say it was a value for money purchase.
As usual me, for things that is of certain price, I will do all my background checks and read-up all that I can before I am willing to buy it.
This particular phone met all my requirements that I wish a phone could have to date. Firstly, it is in a colour that I kinda like - black. Then, it comes with many other feature e.g. WiFi enable, Bluetooth and the best part is it has a GPS and a Map which I can use it for navigations.
Just before I bought the phone, I had made some enquiry about installing the map on the phone from a reputable map / navigation company where they sell their maps in memory card that can be used on the mobile phone. However, as I bought this phone it comes with the map / navigation function that I need not to pay anything more.
Only after so many days of buying the phone, yesterday I took out the manual and begin to read it. There is one more cool feature that came with the phone which is it had a function that when the phone rings and you want to ringtone to stop without answering the phone, all you need to do is to turn the phone with the screen facing the table and automatically the phone stops ringing without you pressing anything. Cool right??
Overall, I would say this phone manage to meet all my requirements and have all the feature that I needed for a phone. I would say it was a value for money purchase.
Pre-CNY Lunch
It is in a Chinese tradition that company normally organise 'Sau Kong Zau" which literally translate to completing work for the year before going for the Chinese New Year Holidays.
As the office I am working in is not a Chinese company, we do not practice this tradition, but in return we will have dinner after everyone comes back from the CNY holidays.
However, among few colleagues we got together to have a the lunch today at a reputable Chinese Restaurant. On normal lunch hour, tables are plentiful but, today, the restaurant is full. You can see that the restaurant have not enough waiters to serve all the customers there.
When we first arrived, we have to wait for 10 minutes just to get a table organised for us. This could have been avoided if my colleague had listened to me earlier to pre-book a table. However, he is not willing to take my advise, he did not book any tables, hence, we walked in as guests and therefore have to wait for a table to be arranged for us.
Then, as we were seated, we have to wait for another 10 minutes before tea is served to us as the restaurant was really short-handed. They did not even offer us peanuts on the table for us to nibble. Even after tea was served, we have to wait another 10 minutes before a Captain finally attended to us for us to order our food.
However, as there were only 7 of us, we ordered only 3 dishes, namely, lotus roots stir fried with celery and black fungus, triple mix roast which have roast duck, roast pork and bar-be-cue pork or "char siew" and a fried noodles. Besides those, we still have the 'Dim Sum' which was served there because we were all very hungry and didn't want to wait too long for the food, at least some prawn dumplings and fish balls to ease our hunger.
Overall, I would say the atmosphere was good, the ones who have attended was kinda of 'friendly' type that can joke and have fun. By the time the bill came, we 'go dutch' and it was only RM35 per person.
Besides the waiting and the lack of service, the main thing is the get together and have a meal before we all go for our holidays which is kinda fun.
Then, in the car, one of the secretary says that our logistic department lady boss wanted to organise a meal at one of a 'high end' seafood restaurant and asking if we want to join. Of course that is after the CNY and before the 15th day as CNY is celebrated for 15 days in the tradition. I told her that I will be flying off to Sydney on the 8th day of CNY for a week, if they can wait, I am happy to join. Lets see how it goes.
As the office I am working in is not a Chinese company, we do not practice this tradition, but in return we will have dinner after everyone comes back from the CNY holidays.
However, among few colleagues we got together to have a the lunch today at a reputable Chinese Restaurant. On normal lunch hour, tables are plentiful but, today, the restaurant is full. You can see that the restaurant have not enough waiters to serve all the customers there.
When we first arrived, we have to wait for 10 minutes just to get a table organised for us. This could have been avoided if my colleague had listened to me earlier to pre-book a table. However, he is not willing to take my advise, he did not book any tables, hence, we walked in as guests and therefore have to wait for a table to be arranged for us.
Then, as we were seated, we have to wait for another 10 minutes before tea is served to us as the restaurant was really short-handed. They did not even offer us peanuts on the table for us to nibble. Even after tea was served, we have to wait another 10 minutes before a Captain finally attended to us for us to order our food.
However, as there were only 7 of us, we ordered only 3 dishes, namely, lotus roots stir fried with celery and black fungus, triple mix roast which have roast duck, roast pork and bar-be-cue pork or "char siew" and a fried noodles. Besides those, we still have the 'Dim Sum' which was served there because we were all very hungry and didn't want to wait too long for the food, at least some prawn dumplings and fish balls to ease our hunger.
Overall, I would say the atmosphere was good, the ones who have attended was kinda of 'friendly' type that can joke and have fun. By the time the bill came, we 'go dutch' and it was only RM35 per person.
Besides the waiting and the lack of service, the main thing is the get together and have a meal before we all go for our holidays which is kinda fun.
Then, in the car, one of the secretary says that our logistic department lady boss wanted to organise a meal at one of a 'high end' seafood restaurant and asking if we want to join. Of course that is after the CNY and before the 15th day as CNY is celebrated for 15 days in the tradition. I told her that I will be flying off to Sydney on the 8th day of CNY for a week, if they can wait, I am happy to join. Lets see how it goes.
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