Meninggalkan 2015

2015 punya warna dan corak tersendiri.  Moga 2016 lebih bermakna dan dipermudahkan untuk saya melaluinya.

All of us, 27 Dec 2015

Happy Birthday Mak, Bayou Resort Melaka

View from my window - Happy New Year Penang!

Pssst.. hey you

Yes you.

Can i share my secret with you? Promise you keep it to yourself .

I'm tired. I miss home.

But I don't  know  where my home is.

My new Thing

Being with nature is part of my new thing

My new 'uniform'

Lonely Road

I have been wanting to write like many many times. But it always ended in my mind. Things have changed.. a lot and i always remind myself to be patience and always rise above. Be the bigger person.

The road seems lonely here. No family and no friends. All strangers. All new. It feels like starting all over again. I'm not saying is bad nor good. It's  just another challenge to grow.

I'm adjusting. I'm trying. I'm learning.

Strange but i admit, i'm lonely.

P/S.. No, I don't  hate 😁

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Happy Birthday Sue!

Hello

 

Nobody wish me Happy Birthday in person yesterday because nobody knew. I kept it to myself. I had a farewell lunch with the team and then dinner with my friend's parent and ended my birthday by sleeping on the couch.

 

Hello

 

I have new place to call home, new office to work, new friend to say hi and new food to taste. The bed still wakes me up everyday at 5am no matter how late I slept. I can see the beach from my window and the air just feel cleaner. Be kind to me Penang.

 

Hello

 

My post become lesser. Once a month now. I hope you don't just disappeared BlogSpot. I have been writing to you since 2006, we are almost reaching to year ten. How times flies kan.

 

Hello

 

Dear Work. Can you be easy on me please. Can we have our mutual understanding on this. You can have all of me five days a week and let me free on those two days :D Thank you for your kind understanding.

 

Hello...

You

Missing u much Maldives

I just need to be back in Maldives. Enough said.

One Year Old

Merdeka and i am one year old. Continue walking.. hair down, chin up and smile.

Will our path crossed, one day?

Depart from Senai airport for the first time, pm. Safely arrived, heading Armenian Street. Hello Penang.

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Ramadhan

Knock.. knock.. Ramadhan.

I can't help feeling nostalgic. Last year, at this moment I was busy packing and wrapping up. Thinking and feeling about it give me goosebumps. Serious. How time flies kan. 

Fasting month. It takes two hours to reach home if I leave the office at 5pm. I decided to stay back and go home after break fast. It takes thirty minutes. As time is expensive, those ninety minutes I can do wonders. Tak pe lah... buka puasa di rumah pun seorang, no reason for me to brave the traffic jams.

They asked me why I do not request to go back early as what is commonly practise here? I did my own calculations.. there are 19 working days during Ramadan (after less 2 days of annual leave that I plan to take). If I less 5 working days where I will not fast, left me with 14 working days.

I asked myself, do I really need to request special treatment just because I fast for those 14 days? Is it difficult for me to adjust my timing?

It makes me shy.

Little bird told me that my boss actually did some homework before hiring me. She asked opinion from her Malaysian network if it is difficult to hire reliable competent staff and about hiring a Malay staff. She did get some negative feedback about Malays especially in accounting and finance where its been dominated by non-Malays. Of course there is counterback statement by saying that maybe this person is a new Malay.

Hmmmm... Interesting kan.

On my last trip to Penang, my boss was spying on people. She spy if muslim really fast. HaHaHa.. kelakar kan and do they cheat.. I said yes of course some of them..but they do it secretly. So she spying on one guy eating MH peanut. She said Hah! I caught muslim not fasting. Then I take a look.. and slowly said to her.. I think that guy is indian. Hahaha... how clueless she is about Malaysian.

The day before she arrives Penang, there was a news on MH Melbourne flight turn back due to some emergency. She was extremely nervous as she needs to take domestic flight to KL. The plane landed safely and she said to me that one of the reasons why she feels a bit comfort taking the plane was due to I'm travelling with her and she hope my God will take care of me and that means the whole plane. She admit it's sound stupid but she needs to let it out.

At the airport, I requested her to change to long pants as we are going to government office and she needs to wear something that less revealing. I said it's friday, it's fasting month and there was some hooohaaa about the dress code.

So she changed.

I have been surrounded by non Malays, Malaysian and non Malaysian. Do they superior than me? Do they better than me? Do they treat me differently? 

My answer would be NO.

They are just the same. They have their own struggle, weakness and strength. We are just a bunch of people trying to make a living.

I believe that human in default, has good intentions.

Salam Ramadhan

a Beautiful Struggle

Woohooo.. a month passed by without a word about Japan trip. Hmmm.. time and money, do you have enough?

I didn't realised that I have learned so much previously and that gave me a lot of sense and foundation as I am today. Perhaps when you are in a new environment, all that you have left in the pocket that you carry all the time is the valuable experience.

I have been learning every day. This constant learning is my Beautiful Struggle. A hopeful kind of struggle that you know it takes time but the end result would be beautiful. It is a process with an intention to change and educate me to BE better.

Why I say it is a struggle?

Because it stretching me every single way. The way I think and act will produce result. It's a constant need of STOP, THINK and ACT moment. Sometime action is faster than the brain that needs time to think. And of course I cannot control the situation, I don't know what will happen next.

Why I say it is beautiful?

Because I'm being hopeful.. that I smell the roses.. I feel the sea breeze and I see the light at the end of the tunnel.

This is not ayat pujuk hati.

Alhamdullillah.

Japan Trip: 1. Kembali

1 to 8 May 2015

That's how my trip will be in Japan for 8d/7n. Fly in Osaka Fly out Tokyo. Flight from KUL to KIX at 1am and takes 6h25mins with one hour ahead of M'sia time.

I did not do much preparation, but being in Japan before... I hope I'll survive. I have my JR train pass and booked all the hotels. So that good enough. The rest, ikut kaki melangkah. Tujuan asal untuk menegejar sakura.. cari punya cari tiket ended up terbeli yang lewat. Mengikut ramalan, dah habis dah sakura :(

I only need to take 3 days off for this trip. Jimat kan. Tapi it's actually not a good time in Japan as they are celebrating Golden Week where 4 national holidays within 7 days. One of the busiest time in Japan.

Hmmmm... tak pe lah. Musim bunga di Jepun.. i like. Ayuh!

Restore

Five full days with Penang team and HK team really depleted my energy. When I arrived home on Thursday night, I was already weak and looking forward to sleep on my own bed. I can't really slept for all those four nights at the nice boutique hotel. Entah lah.. ada je yang tak kena. I woke up at 5am everyday.

I took out my lens, brush my teeth, changed my clothes, switched off the light and then hopped to bed. I really miss you bed. It was one of those deep sleep i had. But the tiredness was still there and all day at work, I cant wait to meet Saturday.

Today, early morning I spent more than 2 hours to watch 3 episode of Grey's Anatomy. Oh no... they killed Mc Dreamy. Sad. Then I start unpack my bag, sort out my dirty clothes for laundry and iron, vacuum and mop the apt and then cook some simple dish. In the evening, I take a nap. Oh.. that luxury nap.

I felt okay now. I restore myself when I'm alone :)

Why do bad things happen to good people? We ask that question so often it’s become a cliche. But that’s because bad things do happen to good people, constantly. You just have to hope when it’s your turn, you’ll know what to do, how to cope, how to persevere. But the truth is, you don’t know how you will react to a worst case scenario. None of us do, not until it happens. - Meredith Grey

Cleaning up

It has been super looooong week. I meant it. Looooong. Not going to share all the details as i'm too tired.

Being with her.. stretch me every corner, every inch and every space that i have.

But, i learned a big lesson today. She had shown me how far she's  willing to go down to get things done. Even when she hold such a high position, she willing to do all the hard work without  hesitation, without question and without excuses.

She just do as per madate.

I'm impressed.

my Kindness..

taken for weakness.

I always have this thought that to be successful, you need to have extra strong personality. You need to have distinctive character that somehow will carry you through the challenging  moments. It may look like heartless, selfish and brutal, but it's actually just doing what is required.

Being kind, being thoughtful and being well manner human being will never take you anywhere. People won't listen to you. People don't take you seriously. People take advantage of you. Do you agree? You can't  move mountain by being polite!

But i know... i'm wrong.

I should look up and learn all the kindness shown by The Prophet.

Memories are like Ghosts

Some will come back

To visit you

Even when they are uninvited

It lingers

Without your permission

They say Hello 

In your mind

They sneak in

Out of no where

Without your permission

They say Hi

In your dreams

They just pop up 

Participate as an actor

Without your permission 

They just there

Not saying a word

Watching you

Looking at you

Without your permission

They are like ghost

Invisible, but there

Inside your brain

Creeping and messing it up

Without your permission

Brighter Day

1. I have less distraction at work and i'm loving it. Most of my time spent inside my room, visiting the Property and Penang. I do not have staff under me, I do not need to take care of the office and of course people, I eat my lunch alone, I don't gossip, I only discuss, I say Hi in the morning and Bye in the evening and I only report to one super smart and scary lady boss who is thousand miles away but feel so close. With all these, my energy is really spent on work, not people.

2. Relationship makes me weak. Love makes me weak. Enough said.

3. Few years back, I have this thought of adopting baby. But now, reality hits me. I woke up and have the sense of realisation and reasons of why certain things are fated for me. I want it for a wrong reason. I, myself inadequate of caring and nurturing a human being. 

4. Since my working hour has changed, my life has more sense of balance. I'm happy when I can clock out at 5pm. It justified why I need to be out from the house by 6.40am. I love being the first person in the office. It's like getting up early before the insanity start.

5. Surprisingly I didn't miss travelling much. But I do look forward  for my next trip. It's just that the urge of travelling has slowly and quietly behave. I don't feel the need to be somewhere else and not here. Perhaps my running shoes need a rest too. Hmm... turning domestic (or maybe because I have finished my annual leave for the first half of the year..hehe)

6. I have less thing to write. Is this good? I don't know. Does this means, I feel content with my life? Entah. Or am I slowing down?

7. I love love love this song by Ellie Goulding - Love me like you do

Good Night.

Spring Cleaning

I have been doing spring cleaning for weeks.. sikit demi sikit.. room by room. I found plenty of unwanted stuff. Things that I can just throw away. Also, it's like walking down to a memory lane. I saw my old picture, my old clothes and  my old journals (dulu belum ada blog). It's seems easier now to throw it away. I don't think much.. to let it go. To let go my past. My shoulder seems lighter. I can sense some space. Pelik kan... it's just throwing some old stuff and it gives me sense of relief. Perhaps somehow it's a spring cleaning my emotions!

Some stuff that I found and worth to post:

Me, when i'm 12 years old :)

Me and the evidence of lost in the sea

You Get What You Give

Is Fate getting what you deserve, or deserving what you get?

I have been thinking. Thinking about what to write. But somehow my thoughts accumulated in B drive.. my Brain. 

1. A friend of mine lost his job. A job that envy by many. He said, he has done terrible things to people and unproud of what he has become. At times, he purposely made things difficult to people around him. On his last negotiation of employment, i suggested him to asked one simple question to his former boss - Is there anything else I can do to fix this? This was his last card, the only card left.

2. I met with an accident the other week. I didn't saw this boy in his motorcycle while entering the left lane. He was like doing a summersault when his motorcycle hit my bumper. I was extremely nervous and scared. Too much focusing on the boy, I forgot to checked my own car until the boy told me that my car tyre punctured. It was almost 9.00 pm. I do not know who to call and what to do. While my mind contemplating, a car stopped and help out. They changed my car tyre and fix the motorcycle. We exchange phone number and I gave some cash and we go home. The next day, the parents called and after some thoughts, we decided not to make a police report and I paid for motorcycle repair work. No drama. 

3. Its time for e-filing. As usual I knew this person will call me and asked the same question.. How to fill up the online form? I was like....$%@&*  I told myself to manage my expectation. Everybody is different. I can't expect people are like me! I need to learn this - expect Nothing and Appreciate everything. I reminded myself - this is someone that need help and asking for help. What if I'm at his situation?

4. This guy (a contractor) who was introduced by a friend went missing in the middle of repair work @ my house. I tried to called and whatapps him many times... but he just disappeared.  I like him because he is honest, I think. Not like other contractor that I have been dealing with. After almost a month, he's back in the radar. I told him that I'm not angry (as I believe he has some stuff he needs to handle at that time). I just said that going forward, this is what he needs to do. He then completed the repair work and insisted me not to pay any single cents.

End...

it feels good to be Home

early.

It will be just perfect if i have a cozy lazy chair to rest and a cup of flat white.

Hmmmmm.....

Today, i just want to say Alhamdulillah :)

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I'm 6 months Old

How time flies kan. I'm unsure if i can see myself for many years here but i always try to be hopeful that on difficult time, God will ease my days.

Since there was no probation period, i can't gauge, how was my performance in these six months. All i can say is that i have tried my best. Since my job is a mixture of everthing.. i don't think i excel in everthing. Honestly, i'm struggling  in few area. But i have to be self sufficient.

I worry too much and it's slowly and quietly eating my soul. I reminded myself again and again to stop worrying as it does not give any good in return.. but my mind is restless.

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Flat Tired

Yesterday, I had difficulty to do things. I meant to get up and do something. I was flat. I just lie and watched TV and do nothing. I'm not sick. I'm just flat and my body refused to do anything and my mind can't stop thinking. My mind restless and My body flat.

Oh my. My body giving signal. 

Reflect back, I was in Ho Chi Minh City until late Sunday and the next day trying hard to focus on all the heavy discussion as my boss flew in. Then we flew to Penang until Friday. The entire week filled with many many heavy discussions. I reached KLIA2 around 6 pm, Friday and rushing to the laundry as I need to packed for US trip the next day. I went to the office as early as 6.30 am to complete some work and then collect my laundry and packed my bag to KLIA. I was rushing and stress out... until i hopped on to the plane to USA where I left everything behind. No turning back. 

Tired.

As introvert, I need my hamster time, my quiet time to regain my energy. My battery went dead.

USA, Home sweet Home

Pic taken from glass window

5 Feb 2015

The day to say goodbye has arrived. Eva Air back to KUL from LAX took 23 hours. Oh yeah. Transit at the same place - Taipei for 4 hours. 

Safely arrived KLIA at 2.40 pm as scheduled.

23 hours of captive time. I watched 2 movies = 4 hours, 3 times meal = 2 hours, Sleep = 5 hours, 2 episode of Breaking Bad = 2 hours, Blogging = 2 hours, Toilet break = 1 hour, Faking sleep = 2 hour, Reply emails, whatapps = 1 hour, Read books = 1 hour (hah!), window shopping Taiwan Airport = 1hr and do nothing 2 hour.

I think that was it. I survived. Alhamdulillah.

So how?

1. It was a good trip without major issue.

2. Timing was perfect which end Jan when the airfare and hotel rate were low (after holiday season, before CNY). Weather just perfect. A bit of cold a bit of sunshine, 18 Celsius. Rain seems shy away. No need winter jacket or long john. Layers will be good or normal jacket. Las Vegas at night is colder.

3. By 5.20pm already dark. Need to consider this when planning.

4. Free wifi from hotel is enough. No need new sim card.

5. LAX and TPE airport have free wifi.

6. I bought tour, show ticket, airport shuttle, check in flight thru phone. Just screen capture and save the bar code. No need to print.

7. Do not take brochure, CD etc given by people on the street at LV and LA. You don't know what is the catch. But be kind. Just smile and say no.

8. Tips minimum 10%

9. Be punctual. They are always on time if not earlier.

10. Be careful when buying LV shows. Choose Tix4tonight. Its genuine and at discounted price.

11. Grand Canyon Tour - South Rim, buy here 

12. If you a bit fussy about food, bawa Brahim and choose hotel with microwave. It's makes a different. A meal cost around USD10.

13. Google review for Premium Shopping Outlet. Not all are good. Not all have the brand that you want. Look for clearance items first. Its good to have a bit more allocation budget for shopping.
14. Be safe. I screen shot all the maps that i needed in advance. So i don't need to look at physical printed map, where people will know that i'm a tourist. I do not carry any real camera anymore. Phone camera good enough for me.
15. I walk average 11km a day. Thought i'm able to loose one or two kg. Hmmm.. result said no change. With all those walk, still  no change. Aiyah.
16. Nak pergi US lagi? Entah. Ada lebih 9 tahun lagi utk fikir.

Back to reality.

Huh! completed my USA trip post :)

USA, Disneyland: The Happiest Place on Earth

Disney cartoon is such a BIG thing that i grew up with. Time tu mana ada cartoon yg lain. Lagi la yg local. Tak de upin ipin ya adik adik. Masa tu layan disney cartoon jek and aksi mat yoyo.

I didn't  really excited about Disneyland as i'm not a fan of any sort of theme park. But deep inside i hope it's  gonna be different. My hotel was in Anaheim for the Disneyland trip. Its 20 mins walking distance to the park. Day ticket cost me USD 96 which i purchased online.

After breakfast (hari2 makan waffle and pan cake) jalan kaki penuh semangat ke Disneyland. Weather was good. Cold but not too cold with the sunshine. Sejuk yang tidak sengsara. 

It was Wenesday. Ramai org at the entrance. Dlm hati dah berkata2 mesti panjang queue nanti kat dalam. The kids are dressing up mainly as frozen princess look alike. After the gate, since belum jam 10 pagi.. duduk la kejap layan view dan tgk map.

Tepat jam 10 pagi announcement park dibuka. Berpusu-pusu org masuk dan sekelip mata org yg ramai tadi dah merata2 sekeliling park. Dah lengang sekejap.

There are 7 different theme:
- Adventureland
- New Orleans Square
- Critter Countey (currently  in hibernation - reopening Spring 2015)
- Frontierland
- Mickey's Toontown
- Fantasyland
- Tomorrowland

Funny things happened. I started with the Space Mountain without actually knowing what it is. It's  Disneyland. I don't  think the ride will be challenging. I sat at the first row. Total darkness. Hmm.. i underestimate. 

The ride was super fast, turning left and right and super cold. Haha. It's only my first ride. Dah kecut perut terperanjat. Adrenaline rush. Keluar je terus tergelak2. Coz seriously  i did not expect that. 

Then continue with other attractions. 

Inside innoventions, there were all the Marvel super hero. Few different character on ironman  monument  inside. See how cheeky the Captain America  smile was.

The queue was okay actually. Some attractions are fast and some are slow. I like some of them..  Indiana Jones Adventure, Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Tours and Finding Nemo Submarine.

In the evening there will be a parade for some of the character. Since it's  winter, they showcase it a bit early.

I'm a bit jakun and impressed  with the attraction. The kids eyes were like full of happiness. You can see from their faces, admiring their favourite cartoon on parade. 

Yes, Disneyland  live up to their tagline for the kids. For me, (who thinks to much and complicated) it was a great day. I hope i can bring my nephews and nieces to Disneyland one day :) It is a must visit, once a lifetime.

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USA, Los Angeles: The City of Fallen Angels

2 to 5 Feb 2015

There are many options to reach Los Angeles or Anaheim. I chose to take train as train usually punctual as no traffic jam and no need to be early at the station compared when taking flight. The Amtrak train depart at 12.00 and arrived Anaheim at 2pm. I did not stay at the city of Los Angeles since hotels are more expensive and i a bit worry on safety.

Journey on the train was pleasant. I bought unreserved seat as it's cheaper. There was free wifi too. Picture above was taken from inside the train, the beach is Salona Beach.

I waited at the wrong bus station as i'm a bit confuse with the bus provider. There are plenty options for bus. Lucky the bus driver lady helped me by dropping me off to the nearest station, which was close to the hotel. I just need to walk a bit more. Shukran.

Nothing much on day one. I have bought one day tour to Los Angeles and Beaches on day two. Day tour cost me USD55. Bus picked me up at the front of hotel at 8.30 am. Anaheim to LA took about more than one hour. The guide cum bus driver was really chatty. Showing all the interesting places and the film related to those places. LA really a fliming place.

LA Walk of Fame is one of must visit place. Tapi sekali dah la. Then the famous Hollywood sign. Salvado the driver show us upmarket shopping area where you can only go to the butique by appointment.

Then we stop at the famous Farmers Market for lunch. Lots of option here if you can eat anything. I had fish and chips which is just average.

After luch we headed to Beverly Hills and Santa Monica beach which was famous for its Bay Watch and Beverly 90210 drama series. Nothing much, but lots of tourist bus stop here. I think if you have intent to shop, there  are also shoppi g area, just walking distance.

The tour ended around 7pm. Exciting plan for  Day 3.. to Disneyland. The tagline says its 'The Happiest Place on Earth'. Betulkah?

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