Cheese cake, chocolate cake,
Mango puding with strawberry sauce,
Potato salad, beef roast in mushroom sauce,
chicken ham and rice.
Yummy.
eat some more
Another delicious lunch at Residence Hotel, near my office-
Cheese cake, chocolate cake,
Mango puding with strawberry sauce,
Potato salad, beef roast in mushroom sauce,
chicken ham and rice.
Yummy.
Cheese cake, chocolate cake,
Mango puding with strawberry sauce,
Potato salad, beef roast in mushroom sauce,
chicken ham and rice.
Yummy.
after the down part, this is the up part
A few uncomfortable things did happen in my daily life-
a) had to go to the internet provider center for five times before I can get the internet line. Thanks to the help of a very nice friend- she gave me tips on how to install and get connected to the web. Now I got wireless at home, yeay!
b) there is mold growing on my bedroom wall. The room smelt like school toilet (yeah, brings back memories), and had to shift all my stuff outside. Contractor guy came and repaired by placing a whole new pipe network.
c) my trumpet got dent and I didn't recall hitting it anywhere. Sent it for repair.
d) and yeah, there’s the bike story again. Wish I could get a brand new Honda City one day.
I'm managing those problems one at a time.
I finally dealt with my self-issues too.
And I’m hopping back onto the bus with my two feet.
Of course, there will always this little voice making me dread to do what’s obligated to be done, but successful people will always be unreasonable.
By being unreasonable, you know you have the reasons that might stop you, but you still play the game full out.
I came to the KL Pac orchestra rehearsals, and the conductor was pleased with my improvement. Even I was surprised that my effort gave me results.
During the first two weeks, I screwed up the whole song because I wasn’t prepared and all the notes seem tricky. After getting a grip of myself, my playing now is more smooth and energetic.
Additional news is that this coming week, I am also invited to play in a brass quintet, and the songs, as they say, are really going to be challenging.
Looking forward for that.
I've also returned to the youth orchestra rehearsal.
The conductor was so kind to give me another chance, and she re-informed those past absenties (including me) on the schedule for April-
We are going to play a list of famous movie and broadway themes.
We are going to perform for several times for the whole month.
This time I am in the game again,
besides looking forward for the challenges at the office during the day.
For the possibility of being the outstanding performer-
in both of my career. Amen.
a) had to go to the internet provider center for five times before I can get the internet line. Thanks to the help of a very nice friend- she gave me tips on how to install and get connected to the web. Now I got wireless at home, yeay!
b) there is mold growing on my bedroom wall. The room smelt like school toilet (yeah, brings back memories), and had to shift all my stuff outside. Contractor guy came and repaired by placing a whole new pipe network.
c) my trumpet got dent and I didn't recall hitting it anywhere. Sent it for repair.
d) and yeah, there’s the bike story again. Wish I could get a brand new Honda City one day.
I'm managing those problems one at a time.
I finally dealt with my self-issues too.
And I’m hopping back onto the bus with my two feet.
Of course, there will always this little voice making me dread to do what’s obligated to be done, but successful people will always be unreasonable.
By being unreasonable, you know you have the reasons that might stop you, but you still play the game full out.
I came to the KL Pac orchestra rehearsals, and the conductor was pleased with my improvement. Even I was surprised that my effort gave me results.
During the first two weeks, I screwed up the whole song because I wasn’t prepared and all the notes seem tricky. After getting a grip of myself, my playing now is more smooth and energetic.
Additional news is that this coming week, I am also invited to play in a brass quintet, and the songs, as they say, are really going to be challenging.
Looking forward for that.
I've also returned to the youth orchestra rehearsal.
The conductor was so kind to give me another chance, and she re-informed those past absenties (including me) on the schedule for April-
We are going to play a list of famous movie and broadway themes.
We are going to perform for several times for the whole month.
This time I am in the game again,
besides looking forward for the challenges at the office during the day.
For the possibility of being the outstanding performer-
in both of my career. Amen.
siti situ sita sini
Yesterday, on my way back from the office, as I entered the bike lane next to a toll plaza, a group of policemen in dark uniform (no, I didn’t have time to picture it in a sexy way) were waiting for me, as well as the other bikers there.
As I confidently took out to show my driving license which will only expires next month, I also noticed that my road tax has already expired a few months ago.
Uh-oh.
Yes, my bike KENA SITA. Situ Situ Sita Sini.
It went so fast- my key was taken and my bike was being put and carried away by a truck.
Only allowed to get it back six days ahead.
The rest of my experience is wild, wild, west.
Let's see... I am immobile.
My office is 30 kilometres behind me, and my apartment is 30 kilometres in front.
Had to call Dear Dear to pick me up and send me home.
After a quick shower, I took the taxi, went to the LRT station, passed five stations to the interchange, and took another LRT and passed another eleven stations.
Finally reached my mom’s place in two hours and luckily I could borrow my brother’s bike.
Tips (more like rules of life?)
License and road tax expiry dates are as important as (if not more critical than) your spouse’s birth date.
Keep it in the main storage of your mind (next to the capability of remembering your ABC’s),
or just display the dates proudly on a huge notice board at home or in the office.
As I confidently took out to show my driving license which will only expires next month, I also noticed that my road tax has already expired a few months ago.
Uh-oh.
Yes, my bike KENA SITA. Situ Situ Sita Sini.
It went so fast- my key was taken and my bike was being put and carried away by a truck.
Only allowed to get it back six days ahead.
The rest of my experience is wild, wild, west.
Let's see... I am immobile.
My office is 30 kilometres behind me, and my apartment is 30 kilometres in front.
Had to call Dear Dear to pick me up and send me home.
After a quick shower, I took the taxi, went to the LRT station, passed five stations to the interchange, and took another LRT and passed another eleven stations.
Finally reached my mom’s place in two hours and luckily I could borrow my brother’s bike.
Tips (more like rules of life?)
License and road tax expiry dates are as important as (if not more critical than) your spouse’s birth date.
Keep it in the main storage of your mind (next to the capability of remembering your ABC’s),
or just display the dates proudly on a huge notice board at home or in the office.
short trip to the outskirts
The other weekend, at the spur of the moment I and my friends decided to take the public transport to visit our friend's apartment far in a quite remote area in Negeri Sembilan. He had just shifted his career to become one of the founder lecturer of the Pharmacy dept there.
The place is quite different than the bustling Damansara.
The commuter/train railway that leads us to the destination.
The station.
Food here is cheap and served in huge portions.
It was a short two days trip, so I didn't get to take many photos yet.
Til next time!
The place is quite different than the bustling Damansara.
The commuter/train railway that leads us to the destination.
The station.
Food here is cheap and served in huge portions.
It was a short two days trip, so I didn't get to take many photos yet.
Til next time!
feathers in the air
Inside these few weeks of mental block, I wasn't really hundred percent willing to move on. I decided to seek for some opinion from my ex-colleague.
I’ve finally realized why I was still upset-
I’ve made myself wrong for taking my own time.
There’s nothing wrong about taking things slow.
I’ve made myself wrong for being laid back, for harvesting the fruit of my few months of work by shopping, hanging out, and putting aside my passion as a trumpet player.
There are times you go all out. There are times you just don’t, and you need some time out. There’s nothing wrong with it.
Maybe I was being too hard on myself, and I forgot that this life I've got, the things that happen and the things that I do, is already being laid out by God.
This whole experience is like me walking in a room full of feathers flying in the air. I got upset, I was angry because they disrupt my eyesight. But there’s nothing wrong with those feathers. They’re just there.
Just relax, let the feathers settle down on the floor, and the room will be clear again.
I’m now ready to move on.
a good advice.
This is a good advice that a dear friend shared with me.
He is currently a pharmacy, psychology and anatomy lecturer in a medical college,
also doing his masters degree.
He said:
"
There was a time when I felt really down.
I asked myself, why and what am I doing now?
Why am I still here at this age?
Maybe I should go and accept that offer as a lab scientist,
After all I can do the work well and I can get good salary.
Then my department coordinator told me this-
You are good in what you are doing.
When I observed how you converse with students,
How you handle the subjects, you are a true lecturer.
Do not jump into another field-
An ordinary scientist will do no more than his job scope even after ten years-
Only handling with patients’ specimen all day long.
This path that you’ve chosen is already the best path for you.
In time, you’ll get to go more advanced in your academic background,
Pursuing for masters and perhaps a PhD.
You’ll be given the opportunity to be a coordinator, handling seminars and academic events.
You will start producing papers of research, and at the same time your personal income will be abundant.
Putting aside everything- the confusion, the frustration, even the lazy feeling,
You can just continue putting the effort as diligently as you can.
Many people will always judge you by your product and solid achievements.
They won’t be as compassionate as to understand your challenges, your confusion, and frustration.
They will always find a way to point your weakness.
Put that aside and don’t stop.
The true failure is when you stop trying.
The true failure is when you stop doing.
"
He is currently a pharmacy, psychology and anatomy lecturer in a medical college,
also doing his masters degree.
He said:
"
There was a time when I felt really down.
I asked myself, why and what am I doing now?
Why am I still here at this age?
Maybe I should go and accept that offer as a lab scientist,
After all I can do the work well and I can get good salary.
Then my department coordinator told me this-
You are good in what you are doing.
When I observed how you converse with students,
How you handle the subjects, you are a true lecturer.
Do not jump into another field-
An ordinary scientist will do no more than his job scope even after ten years-
Only handling with patients’ specimen all day long.
This path that you’ve chosen is already the best path for you.
In time, you’ll get to go more advanced in your academic background,
Pursuing for masters and perhaps a PhD.
You’ll be given the opportunity to be a coordinator, handling seminars and academic events.
You will start producing papers of research, and at the same time your personal income will be abundant.
Putting aside everything- the confusion, the frustration, even the lazy feeling,
You can just continue putting the effort as diligently as you can.
Many people will always judge you by your product and solid achievements.
They won’t be as compassionate as to understand your challenges, your confusion, and frustration.
They will always find a way to point your weakness.
Put that aside and don’t stop.
The true failure is when you stop trying.
The true failure is when you stop doing.
"
accidents happen.
As I was sitting comfortably at my desk, suddenly the clerk alerted me that a staff needed IT help.
I went to meet the lady and she handed me two huge printer toners, one cyan and one magenta.
It was my first attempt to replace powdered color toners for a huge hi-tech printer.
“What is this part for?” I pointed to an area of the toner.
“Oh, don’t ask me, I don’t know nothing,” shrugging, she left me with the thing.
Struggling and awkwardly, (with the fear that I might screw up this RM20K printer), by referring to the manual, I managed to put them toners in the slots.
Time to put away the old toners into the box.
As I was tilting the magenta into the box-
About two tablespoonful of powder spilt on the carpet, creating bright magenta marks.
I was panicking,
But I continued my work and handled the used cyan toner.
There was this special lock on the side of the toner, and I accidentally turned the latch the wrong way-
A cup of blue powder spilt on the carpet.
It felt like Indian holi colored powder festival.
Only that I forgot to wear my saree.
And I was rolling eyes and worried, instead of being in a joyful festive mood.
"Oh, the colleagues are glaring at us. Maybe they envy us 'cause they can't join in the celebration!"
I quickly took the vacuum cleaner, and LUCKILY all colored powder could be sucked clean.
Yeah, we IT execs can also become printer technicians and janitors in one go.
I went to meet the lady and she handed me two huge printer toners, one cyan and one magenta.
It was my first attempt to replace powdered color toners for a huge hi-tech printer.
“What is this part for?” I pointed to an area of the toner.
“Oh, don’t ask me, I don’t know nothing,” shrugging, she left me with the thing.
Struggling and awkwardly, (with the fear that I might screw up this RM20K printer), by referring to the manual, I managed to put them toners in the slots.
Time to put away the old toners into the box.
As I was tilting the magenta into the box-
About two tablespoonful of powder spilt on the carpet, creating bright magenta marks.
I was panicking,
But I continued my work and handled the used cyan toner.
There was this special lock on the side of the toner, and I accidentally turned the latch the wrong way-
A cup of blue powder spilt on the carpet.
It felt like Indian holi colored powder festival.
Only that I forgot to wear my saree.
And I was rolling eyes and worried, instead of being in a joyful festive mood.
"Oh, the colleagues are glaring at us. Maybe they envy us 'cause they can't join in the celebration!"
I quickly took the vacuum cleaner, and LUCKILY all colored powder could be sucked clean.
Yeah, we IT execs can also become printer technicians and janitors in one go.
food. glorious food.
Venue: Shangri-La Hotel.
I had a very nice buffet lunch with my colleagues.
The buffet food is served everywhere on a few tables in the café.
The most interesting thing is that they have a variety of dessert,
Readily served in spoons, so you can taste them all.
Among the food that I took-
Sushi.
Strawberries in cream.
Roast mutton.
White chocolate cream.
Cream brulee.
Mango pudding with raspberries.
Seafood salad.
Oh, and they have oyster in tangy baked cheese-
But I gobble it before I can think of taking a snapshot.
I was really sugar-high, I giggled as I eat,
took my time slowly,
and I arranged the food neatly,
everytime I eat.
Felt like a prince.
I had a very nice buffet lunch with my colleagues.
The buffet food is served everywhere on a few tables in the café.
The most interesting thing is that they have a variety of dessert,
Readily served in spoons, so you can taste them all.
Among the food that I took-
Sushi.
Strawberries in cream.
Roast mutton.
White chocolate cream.
Cream brulee.
Mango pudding with raspberries.
Seafood salad.
Oh, and they have oyster in tangy baked cheese-
But I gobble it before I can think of taking a snapshot.
I was really sugar-high, I giggled as I eat,
took my time slowly,
and I arranged the food neatly,
everytime I eat.
Felt like a prince.
feels like cycling on a hill
Distractions. Too many distractions. But even in a cave you’ll get distraction from the water dripping from the ceiling.
And too many excuses for me not to be serious in starting over my self practices.
I was ill during the long weekend.
I was busy at work.
Today I opened back the book that I read quite a few months back.
"How to get from where you are to where you want to be".
Darned. Revising the book really feels like revising my life.
I hesitated and only read a page at a time.
First step-
is to start being 100% responsible with my life-
that is by putting aside excuses, reasons, and stories of me being victimized.
That means I will have to arrive to KL Pac an hour earlier for me to get some time practicing before the rehearsal starts.
The little voice in me is sulking now, but I’m going to try it on anyway.
Here goes nothing.
And too many excuses for me not to be serious in starting over my self practices.
I was ill during the long weekend.
I was busy at work.
Today I opened back the book that I read quite a few months back.
"How to get from where you are to where you want to be".
Darned. Revising the book really feels like revising my life.
I hesitated and only read a page at a time.
First step-
is to start being 100% responsible with my life-
that is by putting aside excuses, reasons, and stories of me being victimized.
That means I will have to arrive to KL Pac an hour earlier for me to get some time practicing before the rehearsal starts.
The little voice in me is sulking now, but I’m going to try it on anyway.
Here goes nothing.
pushing myself from the ground
By some circumstances, my possibility that has inspired me has been challenged.
I’ve lost the drive, and I was confused in life. My belief system is dead.
Being distracted and lost of direction, I still went for rehearsals.
How shocked was I when I realized that I was totally left out, due to my own issues that I’ve not settled myself.
The scores were getting more difficult, and I failed to play well.
Conductors were starting to get disappointed with me, and I am devastated.
This has to stop. Things are getting worse.
So now I am going to make things clear and re-strategize my life.
Is it true that I’ve not achieved anything in life? Or is it just a label that what people think of me?
The things that I’ve already gotten lately
A Walkman/PDA phone with 3G connection
A white special edition Compaq notebook
A Valencia guitar
A trip to Bangkok
An extensive set of wardrobe and neccesities that complete my daily life
A nice apartment that I rent with friends, which is getting nicer by the months
First chair (trumpet) for two splendid symphony orchestras, with different characteristics
Post of IT Executive, responsible of handling Novell server with Netware, FSecure security, Ultrium backup storage and also providing helpdesk assistance for staff.
The things that I haven’t gotten-
A music exam certificate
My own 1,200 square feet condominium
So far I have been doing well.
For the things that I haven’t reached for yet, I’ll do my life my own way, at my own time.
Maybe this feeling of defeat won’t go away that easily, but I’ll fly very soon.
I am going to re-instantiate my possibility as a world class trumpet player.
Some people may be cynical with it, but I should remember that two whole orchestras, my Dear Boi-Boi, my own family and my new bunch of friends do see me as a potential.
I’ve lost the drive, and I was confused in life. My belief system is dead.
Being distracted and lost of direction, I still went for rehearsals.
How shocked was I when I realized that I was totally left out, due to my own issues that I’ve not settled myself.
The scores were getting more difficult, and I failed to play well.
Conductors were starting to get disappointed with me, and I am devastated.
This has to stop. Things are getting worse.
So now I am going to make things clear and re-strategize my life.
Is it true that I’ve not achieved anything in life? Or is it just a label that what people think of me?
The things that I’ve already gotten lately
A Walkman/PDA phone with 3G connection
A white special edition Compaq notebook
A Valencia guitar
A trip to Bangkok
An extensive set of wardrobe and neccesities that complete my daily life
A nice apartment that I rent with friends, which is getting nicer by the months
First chair (trumpet) for two splendid symphony orchestras, with different characteristics
Post of IT Executive, responsible of handling Novell server with Netware, FSecure security, Ultrium backup storage and also providing helpdesk assistance for staff.
The things that I haven’t gotten-
A music exam certificate
My own 1,200 square feet condominium
So far I have been doing well.
For the things that I haven’t reached for yet, I’ll do my life my own way, at my own time.
Maybe this feeling of defeat won’t go away that easily, but I’ll fly very soon.
I am going to re-instantiate my possibility as a world class trumpet player.
Some people may be cynical with it, but I should remember that two whole orchestras, my Dear Boi-Boi, my own family and my new bunch of friends do see me as a potential.
encouragement discouragement
There were times when overweight people were once inspired to go for that ideal body.
They worked out and they took care of their diet.
But after a while, instead of recieving good encouragement and understanding,
they were expected to continue and after a while they gave up, not because that there’s no improvement, but the level of progress didn’t match with the public’s cynical expectation.
They ended up miserable and fat and unhealthy at the same time.
In another story, there was a very happy family; the parents were really understanding and supportive. On the night after celebrating their son’s graduation, he shot everyone and it was discovered that his graduation was a total lie . He tried to live up with his family’s expectations by faking his life, and in the end he was left with regret and pure hate to them.
A dear new friend told me something which is something refreshing-
“ No one has the right to urge on what you are supposed to do.
How you plan your life, is totally on your own prerogative.
The main thing is whether you are happy,
and you yourself know when to create the urgency if you want to.
A good advice with a good intention is always short and sweet.
Do it repetitively and it is a constant nag, which would be insulting. ”
Thanks friend.
So before we can go any step further,
we have to love ourselves first, appreciate our life,
because sometimes others just don’t know how to.
They worked out and they took care of their diet.
But after a while, instead of recieving good encouragement and understanding,
they were expected to continue and after a while they gave up, not because that there’s no improvement, but the level of progress didn’t match with the public’s cynical expectation.
They ended up miserable and fat and unhealthy at the same time.
In another story, there was a very happy family; the parents were really understanding and supportive. On the night after celebrating their son’s graduation, he shot everyone and it was discovered that his graduation was a total lie . He tried to live up with his family’s expectations by faking his life, and in the end he was left with regret and pure hate to them.
A dear new friend told me something which is something refreshing-
“ No one has the right to urge on what you are supposed to do.
How you plan your life, is totally on your own prerogative.
The main thing is whether you are happy,
and you yourself know when to create the urgency if you want to.
A good advice with a good intention is always short and sweet.
Do it repetitively and it is a constant nag, which would be insulting. ”
Thanks friend.
So before we can go any step further,
we have to love ourselves first, appreciate our life,
because sometimes others just don’t know how to.
a weekend getaway, february 2009
The journey towards the vacation destination is quite longwinding.
We passed by paddy fields, palm oil estates, a few rivers, and finally went up and down the hilly roads in a forest, before arriving at this isolated treasure.
I post here few of the nice shots I've got during the holiday escapade.
Here is the room where I chuck my stuff and where I knock off after a whole day fun.
The view from the room balcony- a man made waterfall, going down towards the pool.
The best part of this weekend trip is the abundance of delicious food.
I was really stuffing myself!
First breakfast-
Chicken ham, cheese, baked beans..
And some pastries, yogurt and cornflakes.
Lunch starts with a whole plate of tidbits,
A bowl of mee bandung,
And rice with vege and meat. Also chendol for desert.
On the last day we had brunch, and the volume is really like a combination of breakfast and lunch. I took whatever they got, except the fried mee and nasi lemak.
As for dinner, on the first day we ate fried rice with Perak dish of catfish in sambal, salted fish in tempoyak, and various kinds of raw salad.
The final dinner for the trip was a buffet, and I got to eat two slices of sirloin steak, and a slice of barbequed lamb chop, on one plate. I pour a bowl of mushroom sauce on top of it. Sinful! (didn't take photo because enjoyed eating too much and the night is too dark. Lol)
So, what did I do in a hotel resort?
I dipped and swam in the pool on both days...
And while enjoying my sirloin steak + lamb chop, I enjoyed some entertainment-
a pirate costume competition. I tell you, their attire were really elaborate.
The pirate men..
The pirate ladies.
And I didn't miss the chance strollin' by the beach.
At high tide, the wind was so strong.
It was a beautiful scene by the beach.
So, yeah, enjoyed my weekend a lot.
We passed by paddy fields, palm oil estates, a few rivers, and finally went up and down the hilly roads in a forest, before arriving at this isolated treasure.
I post here few of the nice shots I've got during the holiday escapade.
Here is the room where I chuck my stuff and where I knock off after a whole day fun.
The view from the room balcony- a man made waterfall, going down towards the pool.
The best part of this weekend trip is the abundance of delicious food.
I was really stuffing myself!
First breakfast-
Chicken ham, cheese, baked beans..
And some pastries, yogurt and cornflakes.
Lunch starts with a whole plate of tidbits,
A bowl of mee bandung,
And rice with vege and meat. Also chendol for desert.
On the last day we had brunch, and the volume is really like a combination of breakfast and lunch. I took whatever they got, except the fried mee and nasi lemak.
As for dinner, on the first day we ate fried rice with Perak dish of catfish in sambal, salted fish in tempoyak, and various kinds of raw salad.
The final dinner for the trip was a buffet, and I got to eat two slices of sirloin steak, and a slice of barbequed lamb chop, on one plate. I pour a bowl of mushroom sauce on top of it. Sinful! (didn't take photo because enjoyed eating too much and the night is too dark. Lol)
So, what did I do in a hotel resort?
I dipped and swam in the pool on both days...
And while enjoying my sirloin steak + lamb chop, I enjoyed some entertainment-
a pirate costume competition. I tell you, their attire were really elaborate.
The pirate men..
The pirate ladies.
And I didn't miss the chance strollin' by the beach.
At high tide, the wind was so strong.
It was a beautiful scene by the beach.
So, yeah, enjoyed my weekend a lot.
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