Wednesday, December 31, 2008

The Weird

I got my 2008 bonus on the 26th day of December and my salary on the 29th Dec 2008. Why I am telling this? Because I got it AFTER Christmas, which means I had to withdraw extra money from my little saving, and had to spend money with uncertainty on whether I will get my expected amount of bonus or not. Of course you will spend money in anticipation of how much money will flow into your account, right?

Well, in my previous 2 years experience, the year end bonus shall be given between the 20th day to 22nd day of Dec. But I don’t really understand why this year’s was very different. I try to figure out the logic answer….. but without avail. So, I just let it go. It’s not a big question to think about by the way.

And at the time of writing, it’s already 31st Dec 2008, which is the last day of 2008. I have some plan for New Year. I am not sure whether I can make it or not. It’s just a plan anyway. When you have a plan, sometimes it depends on people to make it happen.

And as for today, I am no longer serving a bond with my company, as it last until 30th Dec 2008. Did I want to change job? Yes, I always want to change job, since the 2nd year working in my company. But, due to overreaction regarding the economy (apart from the serving bond), I should be more careful in planning my next move. I change my strategy to wait and see. Sigh, I hate thinking of going back to work.

And today, I received an email from The Company, which required me to undergo a training regarding something out of my job scope. I am not objecting this kind of training. But I hate it when I am required to teach people about what the training is all about, and probably will be asked to do one project, while my job description probably still remain the same. If you never practice the knowledge beforehand, how you gonna teach somebody about it? How you gonna make people understand and practice something that you yourself only have 2 days of theoretical knowledge?

But, I don’t know yet. We’ll see.
Proceed on: "The Weird"

Double Celebration

On the 27th Dec 2008 marked a very special day for my twin brother and his fiancĂ©e as it was the day they were announced as a husband and wife. Congratulations to both of them. Claps, claps….. May God bless their marriage and have a bountiful grace in life ahead.

Reception was held at Beverly Hills Hotel, with the presence of family and relatives of the bride and groom. Besides that, most of my old and close friends also attended, and made the celebration more meaningful and full of joy. I enjoyed the nice food and lovely atmosphere. Everybody seems to be happy, broad smiles in everybody’s face, a perfect description of happiness.

I even tried to show up my dancing skills…. The very first time dancing the poco-poco on the dance floor. But, since everybody knew it very well, and done it like a pro, I only make myself look like a fool. I gave up in less than 5 minutes.

After the wedding party ended, my friends and I continued our drinking and partying session. We started around 11:00p.m and ended around 5:30a.m. We were tired and drunk!!.... Next morning was a different story. And as usual, the life in Sabah, during festive season, is always interesting and full of fun.




Proceed on: "Double Celebration"

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Going Into The Reality.....

My flight supposed to be at 7:35am. Well after packed all my stuff, I went to sleep at 2:00am. Suddenly my phone rang; it was my twin who called. He said “Where are you?” I look at the clock, and God! It’s already 6:00a.m. I don’t want to scare him. I just said, I am going to leave soon. He said “What??” I said, it’s still early. I am going to make it.

I rushed to the bathroom, took my shower, check my list and pack everything left. I left my house exactly at 6:30am and asked my friend to drive me to the airport. Forced him to speed until 160km/hr as I assured him I will pay if happen to be any summon. I tell the truth to my twins, and told him that I am going to catch another flight if I missed the schedule one. Don’t tell mom.

I arrived at 7:03am at LCCT, rush to the check in counter, and luckily I AM VERY LUCKY. I managed to check in as the counter has not closed yet. Fuhh….

I arrived at Labuan Airport on the 20th Dec 2008 around 10:07 am. It’s a new airport anyway, and the weather was great. I checked on my new hair cut, to ensure it still intact. I cut my hair short, really short until u can see my balding shape.



I went shopping with my mom and aunties. My mom bought 5 litres of wine. My sister bought a lot of chocolates and a whiskey. My aunt bought a Chivas, Wine and chocolates. I bought nothing. Beers? Just don’t feel like buying anything.

My very first visit to Labuan. The purpose was to attend my brother’s wedding party, as they called it “Shower Party”. Everything was great, the food, people, environment, meeting family and friends. I notice the night life was happening too. About 400 peoples attended the party. The presentation and slides show was very entertaining. The couple also seems very happy.

I saw my mom looking at me with a kind of look. I know that look. But I don’t have the answer.

It was a nice day even though a tiring one, and probably will post some picture here later.
Proceed on: "Going Into The Reality....."

Monday, December 15, 2008

Alexandra Burke - Hallelujah


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Proceed on: "Alexandra Burke - Hallelujah"

Saturday, December 13, 2008

The Inconsistency

It seems that every shopping complex already fall into a Christmas mood now. Sales with discount around 50%-70% are attracting tremendous number of people. I went to Midvalley & The Garden last week. Previously I said I had done with my Christmas shopping, but since the situation were very different at the moment, I ended up buying another 2 pieces of clothes because I got discount of 30%. I don’t know whether they made this number up or what, but I really think I like the clothes, as it looks nice.

I am planning to buy a new jeans and a slack next week as I need to balance out the number of shirts I currently have. I don’t know whether I have enough money for this, but as to make my desire justifiable, I am comforting myself that I only do this once a year. So, who cares….. in fact I am helping to stimulate the economy so that next year we won’t have recession and I can …….(fill in the blank).










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Proceed on: "The Inconsistency"

Thursday, December 11, 2008

The Calendar

Today I received my company year 2009 calendar. There are some changes being made compare to the previous year’s calendar. The good thing is for the 1st half of the year, all Saturdays (26days) declared as an off day, compare to previous one where it depend on holiday’s pattern, the more public holidays in a month means less off day for Saturday. It is a good change anyway, since I feel that working in Saturday is a waste of time, energy and money.

By the way, for the 2nd half of the year, there are 14 out of 26 Saturdays being made as a working day. And it is not just like that, the working hours have been extended from 8.00a.m to 5.00p.m. Currently it is from 8.00a.m to 12.05p.m.

Overall, we have 40/52 days of Saturday declared as an off day. It seems very good even though I am a bit disturbed with the decision to extend the working hours. Well, initially I think that the decision is not in favour of the employee, but I change my mind. I think it’s better now.

The changes are made in consideration of the current economic condition. Probably to cut down operating cost. Every here and there people are talking about bad economy condition. The emotions are very tense when they only can see the dark side of the future. Do you think the economy is that bad? Probably yes. The GDP has reduced from 6.7% in 2Q to 4.7% in 3Q. Some experts even predicting that the 4Q GDP will be around 3.5% or lower.

But I don’t think it will be that severe as what many people talk about it. It won’t go further into a situation of panic or cause havoc unless the US economy continues to go into deep recession. From what I read at the current economic assessment, many economists are confident that Malaysia will not fall into recession. Well, 1st Half 09 probably will be bad, but recovery will start to take place gradually in the 2nd Half 09.

Manufacturing sector especially the electronic industry will be the most vulnerable and service sector is the most resilient. Company needs to maintain a healthy cash flow during this tough time, and avoid associating in heavy debt. How about making additional investment expansion at this moment? Is it a good move? Well, It depends.

But put it this way, if you expect demand will increase in future, then you do the right thing. But if everybody think that the economy is getting worse, situation is getting harder and harder, sales expected to reduce, what is the purpose of expansion?

There is no right or wrong answer here. IT DEPENDS!!. What can you conclude if your company is going into that direction? Only two reason. One, they do not know what they are doing. Two, they are ‘confident’ that the bad situation is not going to prolonged, and through their wise judgement, expansion is required. I believe, the latter is more reasonable.

As an employee, we listen and be cautious of our surrounding, but at the same time, we must have our judgement, and do not simply believe what people telling us.

To be continued…..


P/S:
Today I received a letter from a bank saying that my loan interest rate has been revised accordingly to the recent reduction of the OPR from 3.5% to 3.25%.

Economists believe that the OPR will go down further gradually until 2.75% by next year. Probably, this is the time for us to borrow more money, and put into investments which promise good return. Or is somebody going to start a business? If yes, go borrow money while the interest rate still low. Hehe…..
Proceed on: "The Calendar"

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

I Concur

I sensed something, and through my sixth sense, it confirmed to be true. People change anyway, that’s why we need to be wise. Social life, improved. Get to know more people. Why? Have a better social life, replenishment and being secure. New opportunity came in today. Will explain more when the time is right.

The last 2 weeks, was an intense time for me. Calculating the risk and think on how to go about doing it. Sigh….. It’s difficult, but not impossible to do. Middle of December will shed some light, which will show some direction whether The 14 Jan Plan will happen or not. I just have to wait n see.

Hello everybody. I had abandoned my blog for such a long time. Not because I had nothing to say but, not in the mood of writing I guess. Yesterday my boss told us that retrenchment would not be a case in our company. Thanks to that. And he mentioned about this year bonus too.

From what I can understand, this year bonus will be slightly higher compare to last year as he was saying that it is the company policy to give in that manner. I am quite happy to hear that, but who knows? I don’t want to put too much hope, but hopefully it will become true.

And when it’s about 2 more weeks before I go back home, I start to feel that I am going to fall sick again. The very same sickness that I will have each time I go back to my hometown. This is very predictable and I don’t know how to explain this phenomenon. I hate being sick when it suppose the time to enjoy. I really hope this time, it will not make a ‘scene’. Some more, I have an important role to play this month. Please pray for me, as I started to take vit. C last Monday.
Proceed on: "I Concur"