cheahwey.net

#50: Graduation. Again. Not really.

noreply@blogger.com (cheahwey) — Mon, 21 May 2012 17:28:00 +0000

So... I didn't schedule myself to attend this "graduation" because I really couldn't be bothered. But circumstances changed and I am now going to put on a suit, walk on stage, smile, get my picture taken and stuff.

I didn't even do this for my university graduation and now I have to do this?! I'm a bit peeved.

Looking at the programme flow together with the special note to "graduates", I'm perplexed and feeling rebellious. We're told to arrive at 7.30am for registration when the VIPs are only arriving at 10am.

Right... I'll be arriving at 9am as stated in the programme, thanks.
Unless they've got only one counter for registration of 200+ or less people (cause let's face it, not everyone is attending this shindig), graduates don't have to arrive a whole two and a half hours earlier.

Actually, since my boss is scheduled to arrive at 10am, I should totally carpool with him to the venue.
Think of the environment, you twits!

#49: Foh San Dim Sum, Ipoh

noreply@blogger.com (cheahwey) — Sun, 20 May 2012 05:51:00 +0000

Their siew mai was very good... infused with the fragrance and taste of pork.

Apparently the owners of the place come down everyday to tend to customers.

The Lady Boss is a grumpy-looking old lady who speaks quickly in short sentences but with awesome customer service . (She's a walking contradiction, I know.)
She refills our tea, packs our food to go, clears the table, etc.

She asks my friend in Canto, "要什么？！“ (What do you need?!)

Friend: "我要纸袋打包" (I want to tapao our food...)
**that place is self-service oriented so you had to get the doggie bags yourself)

Lady Boss: "不用。我帮你。".(No need. I'll do it for you)

Friend: "什么？“ (I'm sorry, I can't hear you)

Lady Boss' Staff: "我的事头婆会帮你“ (My Boss will pack it for you)

Lady Boss: "不要酱讲“ (Don't say that.)
**for referring to her as his Boss

Address & Contact:
Db12 Jalan Dato Tahwil Azhar 30300 Ipoh, Malaysia
05-5264481

48: I wish I didn't have to take Mandarin but it gave me an A in SPM

noreply@blogger.com (cheahwey) — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 15:10:00 +0000

I read this and I felt disbelief and a sense of outrageousness.

The blurb tells the methods of a 17 year old who got 10As in his SPM; of how he thought Facebook was a waste of time (which the editor decided to highlight by titling it) and how he especially didn't register to take the Mandarin paper to ensure he got straight As.

People on Facebook are dissing him because as a Chinese, he didn't take the Mandarin exam and had the gall to announce this on a national Chinese newspaper, no less.

I knew what I felt -- disbelief and outrageousness. But I started questioning why I felt this way.

All Mandarin paper taking students know the likelihood of scoring a high distinction, much less a distinction, is a difficult task, especially if you're the kind of person who doesn't use Mandarin very often. So, if I had to risk my CGPA to sit for a Mandarin paper and this Chinese speaking dude didn't have to and proudly announces this in a Chinese newspaper, well, that would tick me off.

I could say that it might have been a sense of betrayal when he said I "especially didn't register to take the Mandarin paper to ensure I got straight As" (note: this is my translation of it).

But if you take the emotions out of the equation, that's a pretty damn good strategy to ensure you get the best possible score you could out of the exams. Having an extra A doesn't make a difference when you're competing for a scholarship against a whole country of students who didn't have to take an extra subject. Why not level the playing field by dropping it?

I find that knowing the reason behind things helps me understand it.

Now that I've understood and not ticked off any more, he just looks like a real big nerd.
I mean, I'M a nerd but shit, he's a bigger nerd.

#47: Bersih

noreply@blogger.com (cheahwey) — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 13:48:00 +0000

I feared for my safety with the last one. I was at home watching the updates on Facebook and I remember feeling so pissed the moment I read about tear gas and chemically laced water cannons. I cried like shit when I read about Auntie Bersih.

Then with 3.0, at first I didn't plan to go (wasn't very sure when it was going down too cause I stopped subscribing to The Star) but my relatives said it was legal so they felt comfortable going. Then in the middle of the night before 428, I said, "fuck it, just go. If I don't do this, I'm going to regret it".

#46: London

noreply@blogger.com (cheahwey) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:50:00 +0000

I'm planning a trip to London in Autumn. I'm going to take 2 weeks off. Accommodation in London is likely to be subsidised. So if I condense my time in the city to just 5 days and spend the rest of my vacation around select cities in Europe, I may just spend more money then I would've staying in London. Actually, 2 weeks in UK won't be enough.

Holy crap, I think I want to go backpacking for 2 months when my contract ends.

#45: I think I'm having another quarter life crisis

noreply@blogger.com (cheahwey) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 16:31:00 +0000

I love how the cat just peppers on with no reaction or expression...

I've been thinking a lot about my job and the rest of my life.
I don't want to spend it slaving away and not having a life. (At this juncture, being a housewife sounds good.)

I believe that we were put on this world to live and work was something we did to bide our time.
But now, capitalism turned "work" into "jobs".

I look at my superiors and how they work every hour of the day, coming in to work even when they're sick and I know, this isn't something I want for myself. I'm sure they have time off but spending the bulk of my life like this? No, thank you.

I don't want my job to be who I am. I want to leave the office at 5.30pm everyday and not have to feel guilty for leaving early or guilty because I haven't finished my work (because at work, you can never get things done).

Now that I know where I want my life to head, I just need to find out what I love doing so I can get there.

This is depressing.

#44: Politics... it irks me

noreply@blogger.com (cheahwey) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 16:41:00 +0000

Look, how in hell are we supposed to apply hudud laws in a country with different races?
Can't you get over yourselves and start looking at the bigger picture here? When you have laws like this, you're creating a political divide. How is that different than what the current government is doing?

It's time to stop looking at ourselves as three different races (dan lain-lain) and see ourselves as one people.
Everyone deserves the same opportunities and punishments. Rejecting a job applicant from government service because she's a Malay-Chinese mix cannot be tolerated. Limiting government scholarships to prestigious universities abroad to Malays cannot continue. Partaking in shady distribution of government tenders should be outlawed. When you stop giving preferential treatment to one group, then will the people have the chance to become united. The sense of "being in it together" will reverberate even strongly.

It's time to move on from this selfish mindset and start thinking globally. All this crap that's been going on for years has already cost us so much. Foreign investors aren't interested in what we have to offer, people are fleeing the country because of corruption and unfairness, independent agencies are partial to the government... The Prime Minister's Wife blowing up her husband's mistress with C4. Really. WTF, man?

Worst still, this government wanted to build its own cars like other countries so they hold back on improving public transportation which forces people to buy local (and crappy) cars. (More like washing machines on wheels). On top of that, foreign car manufacturers are charged a 200-300% tax on their vehicles which forces people to buy local cars and also makes buying cars unaffordable.

Now, what's a person to do if they can't afford a car and public transportation blows? They buy a motorbike. And then they die because most Malaysian drivers bribe test officials to pass their driver's test. They don't belong on the road.

It's happened for so long that people just take it. They accept it for what it is.
But NO. It's a chronic problem that's disguised as an acceptance of how things just are.

It's unfortunate that even though PKR claims that it's fighting for everyone and change to the current system, they'll never be able to truly change the way things are. They're a relief to the disease, not a cure.

I've had enough of this shit.

#43: It's just how people live now

noreply@blogger.com (cheahwey) — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 10:57:00 +0000

The problem with fresh grads
By P. ARUNA
aruna@thestar.com.my

PETALING JAYA: Poor attitude -including asking for too much money - is the chief reason why employers shy away from hiring fresh graduates. Another common complaint is that many graduates are poor in English.

I think the root of this difference in expectations stems from the generation gap.

You and I, we graduated from foreign universities; we get to travel to Europe, if not we'd hang out at Starschmucks all day; we don't have to worry about money and we even get to choose who we want to be and who we want to work for.

Because of this wealth and privilege, our standards of living don't start at 3 (if it were a 1-10 scale) like our parents' did, but instead it starts out at a comfortable 5, at the very least. With these standards, a young adult would wonder, "how am I supposed to survive on Rm1800 a month"?! Besides, inflation isn't helping.

There's also a connection to how all this commercialism, technology and pursuit for wealth (e.g. parents spoiling their children, parents too busy to pay attention to their kids) creates people with poor attitudes but I won't go there. I have an IKEA office chair to put together. (Let's hope it's not as complicated as a shelf.)

Now when your mum and dad were our age, they were poor; they didn't have opportunities to further their studies overseas and didn't have a choice in their employment. As long as there was a vacancy and a salary, they'd take it.

Today, this generation are senior managers in every company young grads seek employment with.

The younger generations' views of the world doesn't quite jive with the bosses'. Both parties were brought up differently and lived very different lives.

Sidebar:
Your parents (representing Employers) brought you (representing Young Grads) up with a life like this. Ergo, they brought this crapper on themselves? But surely they did it because they love us, right?

So how do we solve this clashing of ideologies?

I would think salaries or benefits have to be increased somehow.

Senior management today need to understand that this generation of people don't live the same way they did. 4 year old kids know how to operate iPads for goodness sake. They have to keep up.

Y.Grads have got to learn manners... and English.

Y.Grads can't be obnoxious a-holes but have to be the ideal rookie (e.g. eager, hardworking, willing to learn, everything your parents were like when they were younger) because Baby Boomers are still wielding the stick.

And parents, stop spoiling your children, teach them principles and expose them to all sorts of people, cultures and experiences. Your kids don't have to have great exam results, what they need are soft skills.

#42: Down with the Turd

noreply@blogger.com (cheahwey) — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 13:35:00 +0000

What would happen if a band of nutted up heroes decided to hack into a large monitor in KL... or you know, a hundred monitors all around KL... and screened BERSIH 2.0 videos captured on that fateful day for all to see? Like a transmission no one can turn off. Those who don't read alternative news will finally be shown the truth.

#41: Life right now is good

noreply@blogger.com (cheahwey) — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 16:00:00 +0000

Hello, peeps. It's been a while.

I've been undergoing training for about 4 months now and apart from crazy high expectations my superiors have of me, I'm doing fine, I suppose.

You really don't learn anything till you've gone out into the world to live.

I've made some new friends, very much different than the ones I met in high school.
I've also experienced the joy of leaving work on time almost every day.
I've met really cool people throughout who inspire me to be someone today rather than tomorrow.
I've learnt a bit more about the financial industry and am tempted to take on a degree in Economics.
I've learnt the importance of networking; when before, I hated the idea.
More importantly, I've also learnt that at the end of it all, all people really want is to live with meaning.

I feel so emotionally appreciative right now.

#40: Things you go through in life

noreply@blogger.com (cheahwey) — Mon, 02 May 2011 16:34:00 +0000

You're on a road-trip and everyone in the car is talking about "garden" maintenance... located down there.

Oh, and you're the only girl in the conversation.

#39: Back to civilization from the Outward Bound

noreply@blogger.com (cheahwey) — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 14:02:00 +0000

In case any of you were wondering -- I'm looking at you, Ben Foo.. thank you for asking! -- I was in Lumut for 10 days on a leadership development programme organized by Outward Bound Malaysia Lumut.

The idea of the camp is "back to basics". There, they stripped us all of our phones, cash, pen knives and food. You'd think it was a violation of your rights. I was practically reeling inside when I had to give up my pen knife because I thought I needed it for something... anything.

Throughout the 10 days, I got to jungle trek; row a whaler (a 2 tonne boat used in whale hunting); rock climb and; solo camp.

The (7 hour) jungle trek we did gave me an ass lift and now it's firmer than before! Forget leadership development, I'd go again just to be in better physical shape.

Apparently, rowing is one of the activities where all the underlying rage surfaces. Some groups were lucky in that they had the wind on their side which allowed them to sail most of the entire journey. Others had none and were forced to row for 7 hours. Some broke down and cried, some yelled at each other and at the instructor. The boat was literally a boiling pot in the middle of the ocean.

Rock climbing was the most fun because I got to climb again after 1 year! One of the instructors said to me, "that's good belaying". DON'T YOU KNOW IT.
Alas, I got rope burn... despite the fact.

It was definitely something you didn't do everyday and it was great to have experienced it. The best part is we had physical activities everyday which means I can now brandish my new and improved pair of guns proudly.

The one thing they can do better is the cleanliness of the dorms, especially the beds. I think I may have gotten bed bug bites. If not, I may have gotten scabies from someone who might've gotten it from their solo camp. Frak.

Sorry guys, no pictures. Didn't have a camera with me.
Despite the fear of theft, if you do have the opportunity to attend Outward Bound, bring your damn camera (point-and-shoot only). It'll be worth it.

#38: I suppose this is something productive

noreply@blogger.com (cheahwey) — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 16:24:00 +0000

I spent the day taking my foreign friend -- that sounds kind of offensive -- around PJ.
Here's what I learnt at the end of the day:

We have a museum in PJ. (Located in Tmn Jaya but currently closed for renovations.)
There's not so much of sight-seeing in PJ.
Monkeys in Bukit Gasing can get really hostile.
I still suck at hosting.
People think I'm mature in my thinking.
I should do an MBA at Cambridge.
I wish I had more life experience.
I wish I knew what I wanted.
I should do something to change that.

#37: Thoughts and prayers are nice and all but they don't help [update]

noreply@blogger.com (cheahwey) — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 17:08:00 +0000

In light of all the devastation that's happening in the world right now, it would be incredibly callous of me to announce that I've gained a kilo. So I'm not going to. I'm just going to ask that you do a little good right now.

I think Malaysia needs to review it's efforts so far in extending help to Japan.

Judging by news reports, countries on the other side of the world have already deployed rescue teams while Malaysia, located in the same region, has yet to do so.

In fact, Malaysia has done quite the opposite -- the awesome people at Berita Harian made the intelligent decision of using the disaster as a joke in their paper. Way to go, douches.

For those of you who want to help with the Japanese earthquake and tsunami relief efforts, you may visit this link to make donations: http://twe.ly/Ongb.
(Charities listed in the link accept PayPal donations. It will ask for an email address and password for registration but don't let that stop you. Network for Good, the organization running the service, will charge a 5% grant (tax-deductible if you're in the US) so 100% of your funds go to the charities you've selected.)

I'm looking for (local and international) organizations, that will help rescue animals in Tokyo, to make donations to. Also, I haven't been able to find any links for Malaysians to make donations via e.g. online banking, or really, any tax-deductible donation options available to Malaysians. If you know of any, please share them here.

[Edit: 6.32pm March 16th]
I found a coalition of three groups -- HEART-Tokushima, Animal Garden Niigata and Japan Cat Network, that is raising funds to help rescue animals in Japan and they are accepting donations.
Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support

If you need a little nudge: think of your donation as thanks for the Japanese's bidet toilets; great food & snacks; world-class customer service and; hilarious variety shows.
Although, you shouldn't be needing a nudge.

#36: Downtime

noreply@blogger.com (cheahwey) — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 12:15:00 +0000

Now that I finally have some downtime, I've fallen sick with the flu. It's always like this, isn't it?
I'm supposed to be having some really good nasi lemak tonight but with this flu, it may not be advisable... This sore throat is ruining everything. *throws fake tantrum*
I'm still having that nasi lemak though.

In other somewhat-depressing-yet-celebratory news, I got a new phone today. The Nokia E5 was a little over my budget at Rm650 but hey, as long as it isn't the N73 I'm currently using -- messages aren't arriving when they should, the device drains the battery, it restarts or turns off at will... I can't tell you how many times it's almost f**ked me over during crucial moments. So, YAY for the phone and NAY for the total money spent this month.

#35: A full day's rest had better come

noreply@blogger.com (cheahwey) — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 18:56:00 +0000

The oddest thing is... I've been cramming for work and I've only gotten 9 hours of sleep in 3 days.
When I was cramming for my finals, I had 10 hours of sleep everyday.
(It was awesome. I didn't even have to study hard for my exams too because I could remember and understand better with a well-rested mind. Oh, take me back to uni.)

#34: Now this is professionalism

noreply@blogger.com (cheahwey) — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 14:54:00 +0000

Howzit bitches?!

Yeah, it's been a while. I can't believe I renewed this domain for two years. Damn.

Since the last post, I've been learning the ropes and also experiencing culture shock at a new shindig. But it's all good because I'm afraid; out of my comfort zone, and that means I'm learning.

And more recently, I've just returned from a conference for 5000 people. It's a nightmare organizing an event for that large an amount. Props need to be given to the hotel for all the help they provided, especially when your team is small. It's these moments you really appreciate people... because most of the time they're stupid. Yes, I'm talking to you highway-accident-gawkers!

And of course, I can't help but to compare what I see here with the previous shindig. A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE. The level of professionalism and creativity is just apparent. Made me scoff a bit when I realised that fact.

Now, I've got to draft an email to my boss' boss.

#33: It feels good

noreply@blogger.com (cheahwey) — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 15:22:00 +0000

Today, I ate four Chipsmore chocolate chip cookies, a whole pack of cheesy Super Ring goodness and three Tim Tams.

My guilt must have been screaming at my conscience because I WENT FOR A JOG TONIGHT. Oh yeah.

#32: Sweet, innocent childhood

noreply@blogger.com (cheahwey) — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 17:12:00 +0000

Like I've mentioned before, kids can be evil. (Or was it "kids are evil", I can't remember?)

We have our childhood stories of how we used to set ants on fire, kill our goldfishes with mummy's medication and, launch terrapins up in the air for sport. (Disclaimer: these are really other psychopaths' stories :D)

I can't say I've drenched a rat in kerosene, set it on fire and open the cage door because I'm just so terrified of rats. Neither can I say I've caught a grasshopper and taped it to the blade of a fan and turned it on because giant flying insects scare the bejeezus out of me.

All I did was drip wax, burn or, stomp on ants and pull the legs/wings off mosquitoes. Can't say I've had much experience in this field.

Now as adults, we know this is wrong. Well, most of us. But as adults, when you share these kinds of stories with each other, you'll have a ball of a time! You'll cringe but you'll always end up laughing your asses off.

What sort of crazy crap did you use to do to animals and insects?

#31: Hello Cambodia

noreply@blogger.com (cheahwey) — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 11:55:00 +0000

I've just returned from a 4 day trip to Cambodia and it's been an interesting trip.
1. Cambodian children are persistent and can take rejection very well.
2. Even if Cambodia isn't as well-developed, their city air is incredibly polluted.
3. Traffic laws do not apply in Cambodia. I shit you not.
4. Cambodians are polite!

#30: Being optimistic doesn't help

noreply@blogger.com (cheahwey) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 13:38:00 +0000

Today, I did a psychometric test where we were required to rank each sentence in order of which best describes ourselves.

This sentence came up:
"I deal with stress effectively".

I moved it to the bottom. Well, almost bottom.

This evening, after a really shitty day at work (and a shitty month altogether), I thought I'd leave work a little earlier than usual to make myself feel better.

I forgot about the horrible traffic.

I ended up yelling in the car.

It did make me feel a bit better, so I did it some more.

Then another really stupid thing happened and I just started crying.

If it's as the saying goes, "there's only so much a person can take", don't tell me this is all I can take?

How the heck do you manage stress effectively? Because from my ~~four~~ (edit: LOL, either I wasn't thinking straight or it really did feel like four months!) two months at this job, I've learnt that immediate relief is just what it is, a quick remedy. It doesn't make the underlying anguish go away. All you need is another trigger and the waterworks begins.

#29: I should be caned for the silence

noreply@blogger.com (cheahwey) — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 04:54:00 +0000

Hello, I come bearing updates.

With Deng working nearby, I now have to wake up at 7.15 and leave home at 7.45, in the morning. Her work hour begins at 8 friggin' 30 and mine at 9.30am. Machiam mana?

And today is Nicole's birthday. So, Happy Birthday, dear petite friend. See you Saturday. We'll have a truckload of desserts because a birthday celebration should be filled with sweetness. *fooyoh*

#28: The weekend is nigh

noreply@blogger.com (cheahwey) — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 11:57:00 +0000

Today, I did not achieve much.

Apart from the usual research and admin duty, the highlight of the day was when there was a miscommunication in the office and I got burned.

This weekend's plans: tentatively, I'm thinking: camera + park + idiot friend(s).

Tata.

The Rescues

noreply@blogger.com (cheahwey) — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 16:16:00 +0000

Why are they so awesome?

#27: Tomorrow isn't a new day

noreply@blogger.com (cheahwey) — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 15:02:00 +0000

It hit me just how much people devote their time to working. I've thought about it before but it's never sunk it.

You work from 9 in the morning till 6 in the evening. Let's say you leave at 6.30pm, working in the city, you're going to be stuck in traffic for a while. You reach home at 7.30pm then have dinner. You shower and watch some TV or use your computer for a minute and it's 9pm. At this point, you've got to go to bed or you won't be well rested for yet another day at work tomorrow.

That's why people lament about not chasing their dreams. It's easy to lose track of time and miss out on things you want to do when you're in a routine.