Your Personal DNA Report

You are a Cautious Leader

about you

You are a Leader

Your solid grounding in the practicalities of life, along with your self-assuredness and your willingness to appreciate new things make you a LEADER.

You're in touch with what is going on around you and adept at remaining down-to-earth and logical.

Although you're detail-oriented, this doesn't mean that you lose the big picture.

You tend to find beauty in form and efficiency, as opposed to finding it in broad-based, abstract concepts.

Never one to pass on an adventure, you're consistently seeking and finding new things, even in your immediate surroundings.

Because of this eagerness to pursue new experiences, you've learned a lot; your attention to detail means that you gain a great deal from your adventures.

The intellectual curiosity that drives you leads you to seek out causes of and reasons behind things.

Your confidence gives you the potential to take your general awareness and channel it into leadership.

You're not set on one way of doing things, and you often have the skills and persistence to find innovative ways of facing challenges.

You are well-attuned to your talents, and can deal with most problems that you face.

Your independent streak allows you to make decisions efficiently and to trust your instincts

You are balanced in your approach to problem-solving, not letting your emotions hold you up.

If you want to be different:

There's more to life than the practical - take some time to daydream and explore the aesthetic sides of things.

how you relate to others

You are Cautious

Being independent, practical, and somewhat guarded with others makes you CAUTIOUS.

You tend to keep to yourself, wary of trusting others with personal information.

The values that you hold are central to your identity—you are a very principled person.

You have respect for the natural order of things, and a good sense of right and wrong.

Investigating the world through observation, as opposed to interaction, is preferable to you.

You have an appreciation for those who have attained a certain level of accomplishment, particularly the rare few who have succeeded honestly.

You are efficient—when you work with others, you get down to business, and fulfill your obligations.

You sometimes wish that others would be more like you—less hindered by their emotions, more respectful, and more private.

You are balanced in your approach to problem-solving, not letting your emotions hold you up.

You do your own thing when it comes to clothing, guided more by practical concerns than by other people's notions of style.

Generally, you believe that you control your life, and that external forces only play a limited role in determining what happens to you.

If you want to be different:

Finding a few close others whom you can trust will allow you to express yourself more openly, and possibly to learn more about yourself.

Movie reviews

Here are some movies I watched over the past weeks, which I would like to note … as memory to myself.

X-Men III – The Last Stand

I’ve read lots of critics about the movie, and the general opinion stands, true … DO NOT (I repeat), DO NOT follow the review from the Star … the critics there never matched my taste and sure enough, the expectation from this movie delivers to my mark. The only thing useful from their review was to wait for the end of the appreciations … there’s some hint of what to expect next.

Anyway, I think it’s quite a cool movie … and I think the best part for me was the blossoming relationship between Iceman and Kitty Pryde (think Anna Paquin’s not hot this time) … and the most in

teresting was to see Vinnie Jones as Juggernaut … I will recommend you to go with an open mind if you follow the comics and if you don’t do go … for the sake of a comic book fare and be mesmerized by the cool mutant powers … in the never ending fight between evil & good.

The plot? You saw the 1^st and 2^nd installments, they were about transforming humans to mutants and killing all mutants/humans. So, it wasn’t much of a surprise that the 3^rd is about transforming mutants to normal homo sapiens; it runs a full circle eh?

The Notebook

This is definitely NOT the typical love story, though it’s clichéd with the rich girl-poor guy, war torn scenes, reunion, bla bla bla … as noted in a review by IMDB … “It does not matter whether you love romantic movies or hate them, this is NOT just a romantic movie it is so more than that. By the end of the movie you will feel a whole heap of emotions. You will be talking about this movie for a long time.”

So, watch Rachel McAdams (Wedding Crashers) and Ryan Gosling (Remember the Titans) in a story that unfolds in a modern time, with Noah reading from a notebook to Allie, a story of their lifetime and how they’ve defied odds to come together. What’s indeed classic about the love tale is that it prevails in the funniest circumstances wrought together. You should watch it because it’s better than those lame Matthew McConaughey love stories which run around the same lines. And grad some tissues cause the scenes can move & tug at your emotions.

The Inside Man

Clive Owen, lead for King Arthur, as a bank robber? Really doubted he could, since he’s so stone faced, but in this movie, he does live up to it as the unconventional robber, who performs the most intriguing heist and the plots does confound me by the minute. I kept guessing what he is going to do next, which really says a lot f

or the movie. And right until the end, you gotta keep on with the scenes cause you don’t wanna miss a thing. So, I do recommend it … it’s a little dry on the dialogue, so don’t watch on a Friday night when you’re washed out by a long week. Perhaps a Saturday when you’re fresh. Recommended.

Lord of War

Nicholas Cage. People often forget his real surname bears a Coppola and that’s a measure of his acting pedigree. If you’re looking for a movie with some war, some reality and irony of the human character; Nick has outdone himself again … this time cast as a black arms dealer … the man behind the scenes of the deadliest & most brutal wars in the history of modern mankind, from Vietnam to Afghanistan … and the most intriguing part is exploring the personality behind a man who profits from death, suffering & displacement. He’s not a killer, he’s not reckless, he’s not even murdering, but then again, how does he play with conscience in view of all these? Such is the matter that strings together the story and very much in the pace & style associated with Nick. Watch it, and enjoy his portrayal of this interesting person.

Review – The Island, by Victoria Hislop

~ At last – a beach book with a heart ~ Observer

On the brink of a life-changing decision, Alexis Fielding longs to find out about her mother’s past. But Sofia has never spoken of it. All she admits to is growing up in a small Cretan village before moving to London. When Alexis decides to visit Crete, however, Sofia gives her daughter a letter to take to an old friend, and promises that through her, she will learn more.

Arriving at Plaka, Alexis is astonished to see that it lies a stone’s throw from the tiny, deserted island of Spinalonga – Greece’s former leper colony. Then she finds Fotini, and at last hears the story that Sofia has buried all her life: the tale of her great-grandmother Eleni and her daughters, and a family rent by tragedy, war and passion. She discovers how intimately she is connected with the island, and how secrecy holds them all in its powerful grip …

(from the back cover of the Island)

I chanced upon ‘the island’ when I was browsing through the promo section of Borders; what triggered me to buy was the good deal, mainly that the Zahir was among the books in the selection … and the Island wasn’t really something I crazed to buy.

As they say, fate has its funny ways of moving our decisions and among the books selected was the Island, along with Harmony Silk Factory. And after reading the Island, I guess it’s something of a nice surprise to read … and while not revealing too much with the plot, I must say that the story unfold itself and grows on you. It’s very much something we may have seen on TV before, but I would say that it’s much better than Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, (another Greek-y movie) in the sense the plot carries more than just a love story. Yes, it has remnants of WWII, yes, some love elements, but more than just 2 characters … and while it started off with just too many characters … the connection slowly binds everyone into an amalgam.

It’s not a Coelho work of self confrontation, but it’s more about what lies beneath, what’s concealed, does not mean it’s not there, what tragic may be a change of destiny, in a way, for something more worthwhile and deeper … and while fate is ironic & cruel, the story does remind us that the shining human spirit in adversity brings out and brings together the most fated unions.

If you read it, you shall also insight into the world of lepers, something we ordinary mortals are ignorant of, but once you read, you’ll understand.

Victoria Hislop’s work is amazing & I do recommend this read, in those rainy evenings with nice music or the laze under the swaying trees and hammocks … a book for all seasons.

Quote for the week

Love is a disease no one wants to get rid of. Those who catch it never try to get better, and those who suffer do not wish to be cured.

Pg 344 ~ The Zahir, Paulo Coelho

Interesting analogy, and the last of my digest from the Zahir. Onwards to my 2 other books, will make the review sometime over the weekend ... hopefully can finish them off.

My fav song - Me minus u equals blue

This would be my favourite song for a long time, in fact when I first downloaded it, my ex housemates have at one stage got bored of me listening the song cause I kept playing it repeatedly. I've sung a lot of nice songs at karaoke joints, but until now, I've not found this anywhere yet. Anyway, here are the lyrics ...


ME MINUS U EQUALS BLUE

With all my heart, I pledge my love forever
You’ve got my word, you and I will always be together
There maybe times, we have a disagreement
This love’s too strong, to ever let it come between us

I would, I would keep this love alive Oh baby
I would, I would be cause otherwise

Me minus u equals blue
Can’t imagine what I ever do
If it’d ever came to
Me minus u equals blue
I can’t stand the thought I’ve lost so far
Like so many hearts being in the dark
It’ll never be me minus u

Each day I learn, a little more about you
Then I know for sure, that I’d never wanna be without you
With all the stage of truth of this relation
Me without your love is such a sad equation baby

I would, I would keep this love alive Oh baby
I would, I would be cause otherwise

Me minus u equals blue
Can’t imagine what I ever do
If it’d ever came to
Me minus u equals blue
I can’t stand the thought I’ve lost so far
Like so many hearts being in the dark
It’ll never be…

What we got can’t get much better
I would never change a thing
Baby we’re so good together
Then I’ll never, never ever want it to be me

Me minus u equals blue
Me minus u equals blue
Can’t imagine what I ever do
If it’d ever came to
Me minus u equals blue
I can’t stand the thought I’ve lost so far
I want you in my life
I can’t be without your love

Me minus u equals blue
Can’t imagine what I ever do
If it’d ever came to
Me minus u equals blue
I can’t stand the thought I’ve lost so far
I need you here with me

Is this what we've thought? What we've said before?

I would like to share with you a little more extracts from the Zahir (pg 272 to 274).

As humans, we belong somewhat to a tribe, whether a sub tribe as in family or extended tribe like society / community. Some assumptions or rather, way of life had been pre-programmed from the past ... read them below & see if any strikes you. When I read them, I can of how some relate to people I know ... how very often these have been heard before.





When we marry, we are authorized to take possession of the other person, body & soul.


We must do jobs we detest because we are part of an organized society, and if everyone did what they wanted to do, the world would come to a standstill.


We must at all costs avoid saying ‘no’ because people prefer those who always say ‘Yes’, and this allows us to survive in hostile territory.


What other people think is more important than what we feel. Never make a fuss, it might attract attention of an enemy tribe.


If you behave differently, you will be expelled from the tribe because you could infect others and destroy something that was extremely difficult to organize in the first place.


We must east three meals a day, even if we’re not hungry, and when we fail to fit the current ideal of beauty, we must fast, even if we are starving.


We must dress according to the dictates of fashion, make love whether we feel like it or not, kill in the name of our country’s frontiers, wish time away. So that retirement comes more quickly, elect politicians, complain about the cost of living, change our hairstyle, criticize everyone who is different, go to a religious service on Sunday, Saturday or Friday depending on our religion, and there beg forgiveness for our sins and puff ourselves up with pride and despise the other tribe, who worship a false god.


We must have a university degree even if we will never use, but which someone told us was important to know; algebra, trigonometry, the code of the Hammurabi.


We must never make our parents sad, even if this means giving up everything that makes us happy.



Page 272 to Page 274 ~ The Zahir

Review - The Zahir

I’m not sure, but it did allow me to see that paradoxical though it may seem, people are happy when they are at war. For them, the world has meaning. As I said before, total power or sacrificing themselves for a cause gives meaning to their lives. They are capable of limitless love, because they no longer have anything to lose. A fatally wounded soldier never asks the medical team “Please save me!” His last words are usually: “Tell my wife & my son that I love them”. At the last moment, they speak of love.

Page 108 ~ The Zahir, Paulo Coelho

21^st May 2006 – I continued my love for Coelho’s works. Have seen this book, the Zahir lying around for quite a while, but for many reasons, I’ve walked away from this ‘journey’. Decided to get it today at Borders ... finally

For every book I read by Coelho, it is a special journey by itself and the Zahir is special in its own way. I never let it out of my mind, as I indulged to complete it within 2 days.

If you ever chance upon this masterpiece, its back cover synopsis gives you a good idea on what it’s about …

“One day a renowned author discovers that his wife, a war correspondent, has disappeared, leaving no trace. Though time brings more success and new love, he remains mystified – and increasingly fascinated – by her absence. Was she kidnapped, blackmailed, or simply bored with their marriage? The unrest she causes is as strong as the attraction she exerts

His search for her – and for the truth of his own life – takes him from South Maerica to Spain, France, Croatia and eventually, the bleakly beautiful landscape of Central Asia. More than that, it leads him into a new understanding of the nature of love, the power of destiny and what it really means to follow your heart.”

The book really grows on you because from the start, the main character starts with question about Esther, his wife, but when searching for her, he found himself & took a journey to understand his path & how it shaped him. This following excerpt will give you an idea about what the story is about, though I shall not reveal to you the ending … and I do recommend this book to you, when you are in search of yourself or even more, the meaning of a relationship if you are in one or entering one.

I hope the book brings you inspiration, hope & thought … Enjoy …

(From page 181)

“Suppose that two firemen go into a forest to put out a small fire. Afterwards, when they emerge and go over to a stream, the face of one is all smeared with black, while the other man’s face is completely clean. My question is this: Which one of the two will wash his face?

That’s a silly question. The one with the dirty face of course.

No, the one with the dirty face will look at the other & assume that he looks like him. And vice versa, the man with the clean face will see his colleague covered in Grime and say to himself: ‘I must be dirty too. I’d better wash’

What are you trying to say? …

… That’s what happened to Esther & I’ve just realized it, remembering now how the look in her eyes changed. I’ve always absorbed her life and her energy, and that made me feel happy and confident, able to go forward. She on the other hand, had looked at me and felt ugly, diminished, because as the years passes, my career – the career she had done so much to make a reality, had relegated our relationship to 2^nd place”

Planning the great European adventure

I've been itching to make a trip around Europe, which I meant to do after my MC term but did not (since HP made me start my traineeship ASAP). Anyway, made a deal with Ed & Piggy to do Europe (supposedly this year, but delayed since I started work at ABF) ... so it's next spring ... by hook or by crook, this has to happen!!!

Map from Google Maps (lousy though & will continue searching for better ones)


Did my research through books of Lonely Planet ... so here are the possible routes ...

Choice A Austria - Czech – Poland – Slovakia – Hungary – Croatia – (Slovenia) – Austria

Vienna - Prague – (Ostrava) – Krakow – Bratislava - Budapest – (Pecs) – Zagreb – Plitvice – (Rab/Rovinj) - (Ljubliana) - (Bled) - Vienna

Choice B Austria - Czech – Poland – Slovakia – Hungary – Croatia – (Slovenia) – Switzerland

Vienna - Prague – Ostrava – Krakow – Bratislava - Budapest – (Pecs) – Zagreb – Plitvice – (Rab/Rovinj) - (Ljubliana) - (Bled) - Zurich

Choice C Austria - Czech – Poland – Slovakia – Hungary – Croatia – (Slovenia) – Italy

Vienna - Prague – Ostrava – Krakow – Bratislava - Budapest – (Pecs) – Zagreb – Plitvice – (Rab/Rovinj) - (Ljubliana) - (Bled) - Rome

Prague - Even by Google search you'll know why ... fantastic architecture of yesteryear, rivalled only by Budapest, Riga (Latvia) & of course, Paris.

Ostrava - one of the secrets of Czech, 2nd most important town in Czech, rich in culture

Krakow - the culturally richest city in Poland, also the city of the late Pope John Paul II

Bratislava - it would be a waste not to show you the place i spent 10 months of my life ...

Budapest - aka Paris of Central Europe, boasting of culture & we've got a guide waiting for us there, Mr. Mark

Zagreb - Croatia's capital, one of the unspoilt cities from the Balkan wars ... with rich remnants from Ottoman & Austro-Hungarian

Plitvice - you've not heard of it for sure, but once you look at the pictures from the Lonely planet book, you'll want to go there ... the lakes at this national park is awesome & like something we only see in movies here ... the crystal clear turquoise lakes ... just simply steals my breath away ...

Rab / Rovinvj - people talk a lot about Greek beaches but the real hidden deal of the Mediterranean have always been Croatian beaches ... if you've seen their tourism promo on TV, you've been sold on the idea.

Nostalgic rush - Slovakia

August 2001 – Lenk, Switzerland

I met this crazy girl Stanka from this interesting country called Slovakia, and this girl later became my boss at MC Slovakia. This fateful meeting put things in motion, as I took home with me brochures about this mysterious land called Slovensko.

Though my feeling was ecstatic when told of my success to become MC, the feeling was overwhelming as I crossed the Austro-Slovak border … I would have kissed the floor if the bus allowed me to go down.

I recalled all these last week when I was at Borders … I chanced upon the Lonely Planet book for Czech & Slovakia … and it’s a nice warm feeling to look at the Slovak map & trace my trail around the country.

First – Bratislava, it was great to see pictures of the town centre, the Novy Most (New Bridge), the Bratislava Castle, and the map of Bratislava town centre … I closed my eyes then and immediately transported myself to be strolling down the Racianska in autumn, winter & spring … enjoying palacinka (pancakes) in the office … overseeing Bratislava from the Slavin memorial … just too many moments to recapture.

I remember vividly about Kosice, the wild east town with the black church, the nice underground AIESEC office, nice town centre & trams.

Nitra is the cool town on flatlands … and memory of climbing up to the 1^st floor on the fencing (the 1^st & last time I did it) … so scary was the chill & rush when doing it then.

Do u like small picturesque towns? You’ll love Banska Bystrica & Banska Stiavnica … with a lot of olden structures & walk only town centres … simply remnants of a bygone era.

Being a mountain type of person, I love the Vysoke Tatry mountains and will forever remember the feeling of walking around the place, in the nice spring weather … it’s like those Salem holidays advertisements I saw as a kid … and the feeling of sipping beer at the balcony of the penzion I stayed at. That's back in 2003 ... almost 3 years ago ...

And these are moments I lived & will remember … for my lifetime.

Can’t wait to return to Bratislava next year when I go for the great European adventure with Ed & Piggy.

The shitty part about large families …

I grew up in a family of 3 … 1 bro & 1 sis … so that doesn’t really relate to the topic, does it?

But ah, as you see … me dad & mum have very large families … 11 for paternal & 13 for maternal … and the range of age difference is up to 20 years difference. Supposedly, as people age, they should be wiser. But there are also cases of older becoming more senile and childish, and for this case … I definitely have uncles & aunts who are deplorably childish.

From young, I’ve learnt & observed a few things:

o If your grandparents are rich & have many kids, they’ll reach a stage of fighting for favor & family heirlooms

o If you spoil your kids from young, by letting them do things they want, to pick up gambling, smoking & other vices, you’re letting them take it for lifetime

o Religion can be evil, especially when you’ve uncles & aunts so corrupted by their pursuit for god that they

o Think lowly of people who are not their religion (said only they go to heaven, the rest to hell)

o They take their institution brothers as higher than their own kin

o They preach in name of their religion, but continue to slander & play family politics for their heirloom – is that the rightful conduct of supposedly religious people? They ‘supposedly’ work for their institution full time, supposedly ‘holy’ people but the only holy thing they do is to create bad image of people form their institution by their conduct

o I’ve repeatedly called myself Mr. Kiasu (with friends), but until you’ve met some of my relatives, you’ve not really met the gods of kiasu (except for those apes at Lang Tengah). They’ll unashamedly ask for things that I’ll not ask for, will fight for trivial things at functions or in public

o There’ll be some real LOSERS in the family, perhaps not all are black sheep, but some who are not self driven for success (or even normalcy or status quo) … just happy to slide down into the bottomless pits of underachievement

o There’s some classic ASSHOLES … and not assholes for reason, but ASSHOLES for the sake of kicking dust up unnecessarily, wanting to make people angry, just plain childish (like my fucked-up paternal uncle)

o Some are chicken hearted braggarts who brag & promise, but never live up to their promises, who wants to be the cockerel in the sun’s spotlight, but hide under the shed then nightfall looms & calls for a torchbearer.

Some good things?

Well, several relatives are cool … they have been modest, hardworking & have succeeded well … got 1 cousin in Ireland studying med, 1 preparing for Germany & another for UK … all 3 under full government scholarships (lucky, but they also deserved it). But for so many bad apples for the price of several good ones does not make a good balance, in either economics or relations.

Taking stock of it all, I think big families are too complex, luckily mine is small & things are ironed out easier & less generation gap (although my sister has some, even with 5 years, so what about those with 20? Simply mind boggling complexities.

I do campaign for small families, easier to manage (unless your patriarch & matriarch have genius IQ & EQ to match for managing harmony in such large line-up), otherwise do brace yourselves for some thunderstorms, clashes & heartbreaks.

Out & over.

Much ado about ... Marriage

Today, I read an interesting article about the institution of marriage & marriage for Malaysians today from the NST (Spotlight: D.I.V.O.R.C.E - Why more Malaysian couples are untying the knot)

Here are some statistics quoted from this article:

In 2004

o About 150,060 couples took marital vows

o 19,800 divorce cases were recorded, an increase of 4,561 cases compared with 2000.

o Divorce rate is highest among Muslims, with 16,509 couples – 83% of divorces in Malaysia

o Most divorces were caused by "irreconcilable differences" (41.3 per cent)

o "Irresponsibility" (16.5 per cent) was cited as the second leading cause of divorce

o Malaysians are opting to delay marriage, with most tying the knot around the age of 29 for men, and 25 for women

o 27 per cent of the population between the ages of 25 and 34 are single

Trends:

o The current generation places more importance on self

o More open to the concept of divorce

o Demise of the extended family, especially in urban areas

o Lack of a social support system amongst urban communities; urban families are disconnected from their relatives, and the impact on young couples with marital conflicts is greater

o Enormous pressure placed on women in a changing society; they have to deal with social pressure, pressure at the workplace and pressure at home. The expectations placed on them are higher. Women, having to multitask, have to deal with their role as wife, mother, employee or employer all at once

o Most cite financial problems, inability to find the right partner and career advancement as the causes for the delay

o More women opt to delay marriage to pursue higher education and increase their chances of getting stable employment. They want to be more financially secure before settling down

Issues:

Risks involved in pregnancy and birth increases after the age of 35

financial implications for men; if his first child is born when he is 30, he may well end up paying for his children’s education after his retirement

Conclusion?

The writer is deeply concerned about the state of marriage, not just from an institutional perspective, but also holistically from a social view. As quoted:

“Until and unless incomes are much higher and the support system stronger, these problems will persist. We cannot call ourselves a great country based on our buildings and our technologies, looking at development in terms of building and material possessions. We fail to look at the psychological impact of development on our society.”

I think the concern was always there … most people don’t think it was that severe or even consider marriage serious until they jump into it. But it’s not always as simple as jumping out of it as easily as other commitments, with a lot of emotional baggage & burns.

Don’t be a statistic. Consider it, really hard. Screw Nike’s ‘Just do it’ … you might end up saying, ‘Just screw it’ a few years down … like some people I know.

Am I?

Yesterday was a day of thoughts & pondering.

Now, DKY bought me lunch (lovely sandwiches at O’Brien’s) and he started it off by thanking me … saying that I’m the one who opened opportunities to him, his GF and then his promotions. Well, actually I might have sparked off something at the beginning, but as I told him later on, he did 99% of it all; I only did some talking to kick his ass (least about career cause I am not a ladies guy)

Scenario 2 – DSY met me for dinner … and while I always thought that I was a ‘hard’ person (at least in my subordinate’s eye); she told me she did not think so … at least about me, the former boss. I thought people don’t see me as someone with empathy, someone with some listening ability … but this was something not true. What’s probably true then is … my will is not easily bent at least when it’s fronting the line with my principles … I never let my staff off easily without solutions. But perhaps again, I may be wrong …

Price for appreciation ...

My old friend DKY just got a salary raise … a 75% increase … shucks … that is a HUGE one + promo to manager for his dept. Good deal for him la … some more when only he throw in letter, baru they countered. As a Malay proverb says, when the man is down, only people start to take concern. But the staggering increase was shocking since they have refrained from giving him a raise for so long … anyway, he got a little more streetwise nowadays, D boy also asked for much more (probably cos he’s drinking Pepsi thse days).

Well, he deserved it cos he worked so hard for them for so long & remain loyal, but still got shitty pay until he finally saw light & applied for a position elsewhere. So, it kinda got him a better deal, much more than what he expected.

Anyway the oh-so opportunistic me made him promise to buy me lunch soon … yes, the most expensive place I can find in town … MWAHAHAHA!!!

What should it be??? Mmmmm hmmm …

More blogthings

I finished my exams, so with no desire to do anything constructive, I thought of doing more blogthings (check out my earlier blog about it) ... so I did a few more. Some were ok ... some left areas for thought ... some were plain dumb & oh-so-not-me. So anyway ... here's more.

Disgustingly hot

The past few nights are DISGUSTINGLY hot ... I am sweating profusely by just sitting down, enjoying full blast of the fan & my PC, and still the glands keep pouring waste out …

When I go to sleep, by walking to the bedroom, brushing my teeth and facial wash got me wet (not from splashing of course) ... it's like Chinese New Year. And hello? I thought it's way past the hot season baby?

I had to roll over the floor so many times to cool myself off before dozing off … and I guess if I am staying longer at my same place, it’s very soon that I’ve to install an aircond soon … before I sweat myself into insomnia … that is such the predicament of the guy who did not install aircond at his place … sigh!!!

Perfect dilemma

My close friend BS, told me an interesting story yesterday … he’s same age as me, peer if you like, a maverick of sorts since at this age he got quite a good position now (good means good pay & perks) despite starting off his career late like me … as compared to our peers.

Anyway, he just changed his job late last year, slightly before my switch … but can u believe it, someone is headhunting him now for another position? UNBELIEVABLE. Why would they wanna get someone who just moved not even for a full year? Can’t think of any good reason. But, you never know … especially about need in business … and need may override principles at times.

More than double the current take home salary (minus his expenses, living costs, etc.), a move overseas … and this joker is contemplating … yes or no? But I sort of understand or agree with his dilemma as the move will take him away from his friends & family … especially someone he’s very fond of lately. And at a good time, since he started his Masters in Management Studies (after my long pestering) … so any move outta KL means that he’s gotta drop his baby.

Now, my advice is quite constant in such cases … I’ll always say … send the CV … go for the chat; at this level, it’s never an interview … but it’s more of the chemistry, the magic, the feel … and that if they want you … they must court you with an interesting proposal … show you the walks & then set into a mutual agreement.

And anyway, they have not offered him the job YET … and even if they did, it’s his ultimatum to decide. There’s always a way out, should he be a little more creative and opportunities don’t knock twice, come on man … I know you’ve been itching to try life in Lion City, and think u might like it, even when it means no car and no home luxury …

GOOD MONEY!!!! WOOOHOOO!!!

Much ado about ... odour ...

During my trip to the east coast last week, we made a pit-stop somewhere in the outskirts of Kuantan. The toilet had some smell … it was kind of familiar to me … reminded me of the smell from university hostel, particularly those occupied by Malays … so I just casually remarked … typical Malay smell / odour …

Now, not that I meant anything vicious, but it’s just something off the back of my head. Anyway, Ah Teck made an interesting comment … like, yes it’s Malay smell … and we also know of Indian smell, but don’t you think to them, Chinese have smell too?

That actually got me thinking … do Chinese have smell? And if yes, are we oblivious about it? Must be.

Very good question … as to … look yourself into the mirror 1^st before commenting … as they say, it’s like the kettle calling the pot black …

Sigh … stereotypical me … hehehe …

Blogthings ~ Cool things to put in your blog

I came across this cool link ... it's called Blogthings ~ Cool things to put in your blog ... and you can see one below ... :)

Kind of interesting & if you want something casual & fun to add, just click Blogthings & find one that fits your fancy :)

The Keys to Your Heart

You are attracted to those who are unbridled, untrammeled, and free. In love, you feel the most alive when things are straight-forward, and you're told that you're loved. You'd like to your lover to think you are optimistic and happy. You would be forced to break up with someone who was emotional, moody, and difficult to please. Your ideal relationship is open. Both of you can talk about everything... no secrets. Your risk of cheating is zero. You care about society and morality. You would never break a commitment. You think of marriage as something precious. You'll treasure marriage and treat it as sacred. In this moment, you think of love as something you thirst for. You'll do anything for love, but you won't fall for it easily.

What Are The Keys To Your Heart?

Lang Tengah ... lost in paradise

I spent the last 3 days & 3 nights for the trip to east coast … and since it’s my 1^st time to Pahang & Terengganu, it was interesting to go with the BU boys. So, departing by night, it was a long haul to Merang (not Marang which was further south) … with multiple pit stops … and having arrived in the wee hours of the morning on 29^th Apr, we just slept at the jetty’s benches, waiting for our boat in the morning.

It’s my 1^st trip with the BU boys ever & it’s a change from the usual MC gang outing … being more the boys day out … I don’t quite like beach holidays, but the group made it a cool combination … so here are some notable highlights

· Kiasu extreme guests

There were some other guests at the resort; older people and they spoke a combination of Hokkien & Cantonese (I suspect Bentong, since it’s the only place in Malaysia that spoke both, and their Hokkien is neither south, east or north). Anyway, they are kiasu to the extreme since they stacked their plates high with food until there’s none left for others … and were quite rowdy by not lining up for food or trips, pushing their way around & talking very loudly … they definitely beat me at being Mr. Kiasu

· Long journey there … & Even longer journey back

I swear that if anyone suggests driving to east coast for holiday, I’ll back out … rather be on a bus or fly there to minimize the feeling of long haul, it’s too tiring anyway & waste of daylight time

· Fresh keropok lekor

Ever tasted springy keropok lekor out of the machine, straight into the frying pan? Simply heavenly

· More salt water … my poor eyes & throat

Now, I dislike salt water … they simply burn my eyes & throat … sigh … and I had some, though better with advice by Mr. Scuba, Ah Teck

· No chicks in sight

The diabolical plan to meet chicks at the resort dimmed into the horizon with those horrible aunties & uncles who are not just an unwelcome sight, but taking away space for the chicks I was hoping to glimpse at the resort … hehehe

· Hammock … leisure in cradle

I lost my time at the hammock during an evening relaxation, but be warned, it’s not as cool as my air-cond room in the blistering afternoons

· Sleep & sleep

What do you do when the afternoon is hot & too impossible to outdoors? Just sleep in the ultra cool air cond room …. whoooppeeee

· The groom & his honchos

We cooked up some diabolical schemes on how to handle weddings for grooms & his trusty heng-tais … especially for the part of prising the bride from her chee-muis

Check out photos from the trip ...