He got my BANANA

He wanted it to be ready soon. Flashback - when we’re wrapping up the meeting he said to the others that I would be able to get it ready by Thursday or Friday. My eyes were popping out. Lots of thing would need to be probed and dug out but I said I’ll try.

It’s Thursday and he rang me asking the status of the work. I told him I really have my hands full with other important tasks but I hadn’t forgotten about it. He was persistent and I was semi -reluctant. But I thought may be it was a deadline for him. Possibility, he would be dead and so would I eventually. OK, I pushed all the other things aside. I warned the team that I’d be working hard for the next few hours. They knew the message was –‘He’s under pressure. Leave him alone’

Later came the boy while my brain was still entangled looking at all the data. Flashback - When I chose the boy to be in the team I knew he would be able to bring in some fun and laughter in the group. Above all, I knew he’s capable. He’s been a sweet boy.

As usual, I could hear his distinctive voice when he arrived for his shift. After saying hi to all the others he started to get into his usual routine - cracking up jokes (no doubt he’s funny and can be cynical too – he was the one who bravely said that I was kinda bribing the team when I came back from a long long lunch one day with cookies for them).

It grew louder. I told myself to leave him alone. He’s cheering up everyone but I was exhausted. He went around to the other cubicle and started to draw a small but oblivious crowd. Even louder this time. He’s getting on my nerves.

Naturally I stood up and called out his name. Everyone was looking. I signaled to him like ‘what’s going on’ and said “Free, are we!” All silent. He slowly walked back to his place with a sullen face. Peace again.

Finally I got my work done. I looked at him. He looked down. I felt bad. He’s a nice chap but sometimes he is too much. I was packing up to leave. I saw the banana on my table I bought during lunch. But there was only one left to be shared with a few boys. I was going off and walked past him. I patted him on the back and he turned around with a smile and I gave out my banana to him………………

There are times when we are not supposed to make the MOST of what we have

When they were calling out the names of the Top 20 one at a time, the camera caught a glimpse of Miss Indonesia, whom I thought was strikingly gorgeous. Unfortunately, she didn’t make it. However, I was glad to see some other Asian beauties made it to the Top 20s, Miss Thailand, Miss India and Miss Japan. Miss Thailand seemed to have a great personality but she didn’t survive to next round.Neither did Miss India.What's extraordinary about her was her smile and nothing else.

Miss Japan made it to be in the Top 5. She is undeniably sexy. She revolutionized the typical image of a Japanese girl. The National Costume that she wore, Japanese Missionary armour with the Samurai sword symbolised her readiness to take up any challenging missions.Her pose with the sword has also shined up to the night, like a great sex symbol. She has a great figure compared to all the others in the Top 5 who are mostly lanky and bony. But she would have appeared more glamorous in the evening gown if it was a little bit more grandiose.

She is a linguist too. Apart from a sharp mother tongue, she also speaks Spanish and French. But what a HUGE BUMMER when the translator was already standing attentively, ready to translate Japanese to English while the host was reading out the question in English but she had then proudly answered it in French. Everyone including the translator seemed 'lost without translation'. I wonder how many of the judges or audience had actually understood her. Yet, the crowd was still roaring with thunderous clap....

She is now Miss Universe 2006, 1st runner up and she's still my favourite.

'little'VIEW

‘PLEASE BE PUNCTUAL'. It’s written in CAPS LOCK and in BOLD. The moment I saw that phrase, I was challenged. Right away, I told myself that I’d do it better this time. I must be prepared. I started having some mental notes on ‘Things to do’.


1. Be prepared – I tend not to take things for granted this time… semi-checked

2. Look smart – I pressed the Shirt a night before. Matched it with a tie borrowed from a friend (I chose for him when he bought it). Those that I have a bit boring……checked

3. Get to know who they are and what they have for u……..I read thru the jobs specs sent to me. Went to the net to get better ideas of the company …………checked

4. Money matters .Started to think on How much I should I ask for. Was a bit contemplating ………….semi-checked

5. Spread the words. Called one of my ex-colleagues who is currently working there. He knew the HR manager. He will drop one or 2 sweet words for me………checked

6. Proof –They requested for some photocopies of certs, ic , photos etc. Was a bit pissed off. Why would I need to prepare those docs for them when it’s not even certain that they gonna like me. Should I let them have those docs. Since I told myself that I was gonna do it better this time. No choice, I’ve got to get those ready…….in the end after running here and there - checked.

It’s the day. I was already late and yet I was still struggling with the printer. I should have printed it out yesterday. The rest managed to print from their PCs but I couldn’t. I could have emailed them a copy and asked them to print it out for me but then they would know what I was up to. It’s finally working again!!! I was thrilled. 5 pages of somewhat exaggerated history were printed. I rushed home and changed. I quickly rang her. I told her that I would possiblly be late due to Friday prayers (Forgive me GOD, but you know I’m always grateful to you).

5 minutes passed the scheduled time when I was walking in with my umbrella. I got a bit lost. Greeted by a pregnant receptionist who gave me a cynical smile. I was asked to fill out a form. No more hesitation on the figure. I’ve decided that if I were to make some changes, I might as well make it ‘Impactful’. I asked for what I think I’m worth for now.

15 mins passed and I was told that the HR Manger was dragged into an urgent discussion. I went out from the waiting room.

“Is there anyone coming?”

The receptionist made another call. Finally, the HR secretary came. I was already hiding my 'fury’ .She gathered all the documents and then went out to call the hiring manager.

Another 15 mins passed. It struck me 'Please be punctual'. I stormed out again.

“I didn’t mean to be rude but this is taking way too long”

She ran in. Finally, he turned up and apologized. I was already not in a mood. I made things short and quick. He knew I already lost interest. It lasted 20 minutes. Too much effort but too little ‘View’………………..

B r o k e n Mirror

There were, hhmmm….let me count 1, 2, 3, and 4. Four of them altogether .They had somehow annoyed me. The first one was when I was on the escalator, going up, he was giggling like a girl. I’ve seen lots of people giggle but the way he did it was just unbearable. Was that natural, I doubt it. I just hate looking at him. I just hate it!

The second was when I was on the escalator, going down. On the concourse, a horde of shoppers walking in random direction but he made himself noticeable. Ok…..may be that's the way he is, the way he walks since he’s a baby, swinging his elastic bum but I thought that was too much. I just hate looking at him. I just hate it!

The third was when I was standing near the café. From far, I could see AS IF he’s wearing a 'Vishuda’ on his head. It’s high and sharp. Thank god it’s not a 'golden' Vishuda. It’s still black but that hairdo, he overdid it. I just hate looking at him. I just hate it!

The fourth was when I was walking towards the table. He caught my attention. What he wore was even tighter than his own skin. I just hate looking at him. I just hate it!

I sat down with the accumulated hatred. I didn’t know why they bothered me so much this time. Perhaps I was tired and just a little stressed out of work. You know when you’re in this state, everything seemed not right. Now, my brain travelled deep inside, going down reaching the archive. Come to carefully think of it, I was once like those people too. BUT, I think I’ve changed. Don't you think? Ok… may be every now and again I might slip into those behaviour or style but I don’t think I overdo it anymore.

Was I looking at a mirror? But you know what, I’ve just got one broken. Now, I’ve got a new one. Does that mean, all this while I’ve got myself changed through SELF-HATRED?

OH MY GOD!, I thought there would only be 4. Here came the 5th one. From far I could see his ‘arrogant’ face. I was sure he was thinking that everyone was looking at him. CAKEWATT!!! He walked real fast and straight to our table and sat. He’s my own friend!!! But that, I was sure I was not looking at a mirror.If I was, then it's time to break another one........

UNDER ATTACK!

Wed 14:20 Location ‘Comfort Zone’
Political – seems likeable by managers, colleagues’ favourite and respected by subordinates
Economy – Decent salary – above average with some perks, in other words "can afford ‘valet’ "
Security – On going projects - Survival

It‘s unexpected. There are no apparent threats before . Suddenly, there is a massive insurgence. Out of nowhere, there’s a blast. They are attacking. I try to run but the missiles are all over. They take up positions. They are higher. They receive brutal commands from their commanders. They have massive weapons. It runs faster. Some equipped with silencer. Smarter tactic and with modern intelligence. Based on indicators, they could kill. Although there’s no casualty yet, Comfort Zone is no longer a comfort zone. I need to fight against them. I need to retaliate.

HIDDEN RETALIATION TARGET -> Anxiety, Paranoia & Envy (COALITION)

ACTION : Move!!!!!
EXPECTED RESULT : A new and better ‘Comfort Zone’

CHERRY TEA ANYONE?

I was looking at the wardrobe. It looks uninspiring. It needs wardrobe management. Perhaps it’s because they have not been arranged nicely. It’d look nicer if they are colour coded, don’t you think? Or we should sort them out; pants with pants, shirts with shirts, jeans with jeans. We tend to mix all of them up. Sometimes we don’t even realize that we have them. Some are new and some are old? Some needs to be purged but where to?


They say give it to the charity. We do feel like doing some good deeds but which organization should we give it to? If it’s in the UK we give it to OXFAM. Here, where do we take them? Some people would just give it directly to the ‘needy’ but do they really need your clothes. If they don’t, let’s turn them into cash. I’m sure they could use some extra cash.

Name of Business: Cherry Tea (Let’s throw in some Cherry flovourerd tea for a good amount of purchase)
Sources: Anyone really (Kids, Mothers, Fathers, Datins or anyone who have the ‘I Only Wear My Clothes Once’ syndrome.)
Mode of Collection: Call our Hotline. We come and pick up or you can come and deliver
Methods: We select, we sort them out, and we send for laundry, dry cleaning, iron them and fold them or hang them
Where do we sell? Cherry Tea Shops – We apply wardrobe management
Proceeds will go to ( Some decent percentage) : HIV+, Cancer Research Fund, The Blinds etc

We are no ordinary second hand shops. We select the best for you. We believe in giving things the second chance.

Now, Cherry Tea anyone?

See you soon!

HI H!

We are apart again. Only physically. I’m so used to it. The house is a bit quiet now. Not that you made so much noise when you were around but it was nice to come home and see you lying on the couch watching your DVDs. You're absorbed. Sometimes you did not even utter a word. You would pause the movie when I was trying to tell you something, even it was something real quick and then you would continue watching it again for hours.

It’s funny when you think I nag a lot. I suppose it’s just my nature. Even funnier when you thought that sometimes I act like a ‘Jewish Mother’ (who cares so much for the kids)

Regardless, you know I care for you. See you soon!


Lots of love,
Preciosa ( aahhahaha...nick name given to annoy me :-)

The GREAT Wall

It’s long been abandoned. They’ve been thinking of renovating it. She could have got that done long time ago had she wanted to but I supposed she rather saved up the money for something else. Perhaps she’s waiting for me to offer some help. I decided to help.

” Why did you get the white cement? We use white cement for tiles. We are not doing tiles,” one of my brothers called me to check.

I rang the shop again and spoke to ‘Boss’ asking him to change it. He said “OK, I’ll just deduct whatever you don’t want”. That’s easy! I thought he would have made a big fuss and asked me to just keep it.

I was at the hardware shop a few days back to place an order for all the things needed for this little project. I seriously thought this kind of little construction project was not so much of my kind of thing but it turned out that it did give me some sort of pleasure. Being in the dusty shop with all the gigantic tools did make me feel more matured and a little bit manlier (not during the bargaining though), standing in front of this ‘Boss’ and all his assistants inquiring about all these things:-

9 bags of cement @ RM11 a bag
900 Bricks @ 0.16 cent per brick
6 small bags of 'Cement Kapor'
A small lorry of soft sand @ RM75
5 feet of small wires
Etc....

They were all delivered and the labour turned up as planned too - 2 sweet and hardworking Burmese guys for 3 days @ reasonable wages.

It’s now almost complete. Though it’s only a small part of my parents’ house but it does make a difference. It looks good. I feel proud to see it erected. It's not the longest. It may be relatively way too small compared to many other walls being built. It’s practically NOTHING compared to The Great Wall of China but to me it’s MY GREAT wall……….

The Judgment Day

I let my boys went for prayers while I looked after the business. I thought that’s the least I could do if I didn’t want to go for it. Empty stomach, a bit tired and a little bit disorientated today. Although it’s only a little sacrifice (may be I should have not even called it a sacrifice) it still took me a while before I decided to skip Friday lunch.

“Great, you guys are back. Am starving, it’s time for my break.”

Sped away.

“Oh yeah, I saw her online just now. I did ask her if…………..”

Silence.

“Shit. I gotta call you back”

Pulled over. Unwound the window.

“Can I see your IC and driving license please?” I handed over whatever he asked for.
“Why didn’t you use the hands free?”
“I haven’t got one, but I was on speaker though” I already sounded guilty even before being charged. “But I saw you talking on the phone for quite a while”

I told him to just go ahead and do whatever that he must do. He went to his bike and took some stuff. He came back and stood right in front of my car and he kept staring at my number plate for quite a while. He looked at me again. He looked confused. He came to the window.

“You know that it’s an offence to use the phone….”

I just cut him. I admitted that it’s my fault and I told I was just not in the right mind today. (Partly starving , partly tired and partly I was thinking of my dad.)

I was contemplating. I hate to say what I was thinking of saying. He was still in front of my car jotting down something on his pad. At that point, we were like reading each other’s mind. He came back to the window. I thought I was not going to say this but I did.

“Can I just pay the fine here?”

I was really surprised when he said, “That’s not good”
It was even more surprising when he said “I’ll let you go this time but please do not do it again”

Phew! I thought I would feel happy but I wasn’t. I thought it's typicall of them but I was proven wrong. Yet again, my perception was reversed. I was judgmental. I drove away with even more things running in my head now. I began to judge myself …..

SUPERMODEL

Wake up in the morning doing almost the same things - stretch out, look out the window, put on the kettle and switch on the TV (watching you know what). It’s almost UNCONSCIOUS. It’s like we have been PROGRAMMED. Looking back, what would we say - “WHAT A ROUTINE!”, “LIFE IS BORING!”

Then how can we make a difference? We have to jump in. Jump into the state where we would like to be, where we would see happy moments, where we would feel the wellbeing, the success. Do this. Relax your body, close your eyes and take yourself to those places. Now open your eyes. Isn't that exciting and refreshing eventhough in reality we are not there yet! Now get back to where we are and think how do we get there. We need to reprogramme? Let’s get in touch with our sensors and senses again. Look around, feel it , taste it, listen up and let’s MODEL….

We may be modelled our mannerism on our parents’. I may be modelled the way I dance on Madonna’s. Do you realize that we have been modeling all this long. In fact, we have been doing it quite well. So let’s keep it up. If we want success; let’s model the successful people… ..

Those are some take away from the 2hrs overview of Neuro Linguistic Programming I attended. It was quite refreshing and look forward to be a SUPERMODEL…..

Noiseless

1st Impression – Quiet and Shy guy
A week after – still doesn’t speak much
A month later - Does he speak at all?


Now – who cares whether he speaks or not. His presence whenever and wherever we are is strong enough that makes us feel that he is part of us and it does make us feel like he is always there for us. Sometimes it is better if you don’t say much, so people haven't got much to bitch about you.

Happy Birthday Miss Conception !!!!

More than 'COMFORT'...

He called me while I was in the middle of a daunting task at work. “I left your phone in the taxi”. I tried to calm my self down. I learnt not to panic when this kind of thing happens to me. Phoned the taxi driver. I knew he was not going to pick up the phone but the good sign was the phone was not switched off. I rang again and to my relief it was the same voice I spoke to earlier, giving him direction on how to get to my place. He said he was in central town. It might take him an hour to get back to my place. I was anxious. Could not concentrate on my work anymore. I left the office. I rang him again after an hour. It was still ringing but he didn’t pick it up. “That’s it…there goes my phone”….

Went for a dinner but subconciously restless. Suddenly the phone rang. What a comfort………….He had been waiting outside. He said he had to wait for someone to walk past to show him how to use the phone. Exhausted all the sweet and kind words that I could think of and offered him some monetary reward.

If you need a reliable taxi driver, go for Soid Tajudin of ‘Comfort’ Taxi. He has somewhat changed my perception of a taxi driver. If there is an award for the ‘Taxi Man of the year’ he well deserved it. It was not only a comfortable ride for some; it’s way beyond…….

Do you dream what you do, do you do what you dream?

This is not what I've been dreaming of doing in my life. As a child i dreamt that i would be a teacher. At college I dreamt that i would be a lawyer. When I was at university, i dreamt that i would be a designer. But now I'm not doing what I've been dreaming for. But I realise some people dream of what I do now. We dream that we could do what others do, others dream that they could do what we do.Have we been living other people's life.....

Gossip or not to gossip?

Is that true that gossips among colleagues are not good for you? Sometimes you will be surprised that gossiping with your colleagues will do you good. When you get to know the details that not everyone knows about it, it can help you to approach certain things in a right way. You will know one's weaknessess or strengths. Trust me it helps you in strategising your career growth.

What would I say? Go gossip but keep it in a professional way and use it to your advantage. Go gossip folks !!!!! ahaks!

Cakewat's Bday!!!

Happy Birthday Mr Cakewatt!!!! Ko ingat ko Chantique......sad that one has the height but no other beauty to complement it.