Ratty Day 1!

" Reminder : Don't forget to put cheese all around your house so that the rats will come. They are the Prosperity Rat, Good Health Rat, Happiness Rat, Lucky Rat and the Year Earth Rat. Gong Xi Fa Chai, and lets not shoo these rats"

Dear Rat,
It's your year this year, and i bet it'll bring lots of joy and happiness. May you flood my family with everything good, but don't get me wrong- i'm not trying to be greedy. It's what we call 'share' and we'll share amongst ourselves, and may you bring more cheese to fill our stomachs!
To celebrate your arrival... this is what we did!

As early as 8, we were awaken by the sounds of the drums from my neighbours. We did some last minute clear-up to beautify the house, and await my uncles, aunties, and cousins. The casino soon began, and they started to gamble. I didn't gamble much as i don't really favour it., in fact, i only started to gamble later part of the evening.

The flowers in my house, and that's not all.

About 12.30pm, the lunch buffet prepared by my mum opened, and soon we filled our stomach with the delicious food and thirst-quenching drink. My friends arrived on time, as they had said. Absent-minded, i forgot to take a picture with them. By 1 something, the lion dance troupe came and started their mind -blowing performance amplified by the fire red lion! Enjoy the photos...

The lion outside the house, ready to enter

Lion entering the house!

Make way for the lion in the house, in motion, praying

... on the 'climbing' performance, trying to retrieve the veg...

Ground performance...

Throwing the orange from one lion to the other

Observing the floor

One, doing business, while the other awaits and entertained the guests

This was the 'business' the lion did! Wonderfully shaped...

Photography session...

There won't be a CNY if there's no firecrackers!

Goodbye, lions. May we meet again next year, and years to come! You guys did a fabulous job, and no doubt for the thunderous claps after your fantastic performance. "The lion and the dance this year's nice," commented by my aunt!

It was after that did i started to gamble. Time ticked, and soon it was night. Some guests stayed for dinner, and later made a move back home. Day 1, wonderful! And stay glued for more, as i soon post about the other days, piece by piece, and that's for you to check out. Ecstatic, wc08, to be continue, and chat with you soon too, Mr Rat!

Yours truly,
Mr Ram, WC

Work No More

"The human eye is the best camera one can ever find, the best pictures one can ever capture"

How far do you agree to the quote above? I truly believe that the human eye captures the best picture, as it not only captures the image alone, but takes the emotions altogether. Juggle this, do you prefer to see the Northern Lights on a photo shown by your friend, or experiencing the moment real life? The atmosphere, and the feelings, are totally different if we see it with our naked eyes, even amplified if we see it together with our love ones! Nonetheless, the eye serves more than one purpose, not only to see, but to understand, feel and to be integrated with other parts of our body to respond correctly, morally. Appreciate it, while you still can.

The alarm clock in my handphone rang and i stretched my hand to retrieve it, shutting the irritating, buzzing sound of the alarm that disturbed my sleep. I was awake, but not totally. I had to drag myself out from the comfortable bed, battling the desire to fall back to sleep. Then, I remembered. 'Why am i complaining, it's my last day of work today. Can't wait' and i washed my face immediately. Filled two bottles, and got my 'Hotlink' shirt on, ready for the day ahead. Ready for it?

Walked out with eyes on the road traveled but not only on the look-out for cars, but stray dogs as well. I had to take an alternative route to avoid those creatures, and i reached the destination without having any bruises from fighting with them. Filled my stomach my with 'Singaporean fried mee-hoon' which took more than 20 minutes to be prepared. Ate quickly, and off to my last day of my part time work!

Fortunately, i was on time for work. The shuttles were just lifted up, and i had to squat to enter.
The day soon began, but we, as usual, had to wipe the table and prepare our yesterday's report to be handed in first. Sharp 9.30, the shuttle opened completely, inviting customers to come in. I'm ready with my float, switched on the Maxis sign.


The green wall to the sign defines the shop as Maxis, not other operators. Ushering customers in even from afar, greeting them as i ready for their payment to be made.

I took charge of Counter 3, written 'payment'. Unfortunately, the day turned sour as all the computer's system were down, very. We had to issue them the manual receipt and later only do the the transactions on computer. Just after noon, the systems were back alive, and we began to enter in the transactions. At the same time, it was peak time and there we had to multi task, doing both the earlier transactions as well as the lucky walk-in customers. Lucky, no mistakes we made and the day returned back smoothly, regaining it's speed to accelerate while we waited for the night.


It wasn't all the time busy, as for my last day, i was determined to bring my camera to work. Wonderful people, gld to meet them, or even work with them though only for about 3 weeks!

The 'si-fu' there, as the other took MC. Her name is Sue, and behind her is my childhood friend, also her last day, Vivianloy.

Sean, doing some funny face while i captured this pose. "Okey, serious now," said Sean.

My workmates. They are really wonderful people. Missing in action were S Xian, Sab, CC W, R C and J W. Fun working with them, but when it comes to business, it means business!

As the night rolled in, we started to close our drawers, and the shuttles as well. Who would want to display all the money on the table insecurely? It was a lot, but for my last day there, no. By 9 pm, the shuttles were all shut, all ready to head home, and me, simply enjoyed the final moments there, capturing every second of my day with my eyes and i'm sure the experience working there will worth more than money can tell. About money, i got my first pay, but it's of no need to tell. Ask and you'll know.

The 16 days of work had been really fun, tiring, streesful, exciting and of all feelings, experience-full. My main goal of working was to meet new people and to try out working life. Trust me, i reached far beyond my goals, and i really appreciate it! As for now, i'm 'unattached' but i absolutely want to celebrate CNY with abundance of joy and happiness, simply, to the fullest! Cheerful, wc08, eager to usher in the new year, and 'til then, wait as i post more of the upcoming CNY!

Wearing out!

"Be a somebody somewhere, anybody anywhere, but not a nobody, or simply a body nowhere"

Working part time is tiring, stressful and sometimes boring. When you are at school, you dream of working, admiring the freedom and celebrating the pay. But once you step into the working life, you feel as if you would want to turn back time and just study. How i wish i could do so just now- i simply miss studying, and i don't know why! Note, it's not that i don't like the job or i want to run away from it.

Work, 9 to 9, 5 days a week. I learned more now, and i'm still learning. It's just like a whole new, challenging process and experience. Even school wasn't that long hours (tuition included), but i shouldn't complain much as this is totally different compared to school! We deal with money, and services, and the responsibilities are, as always, there. Daily tasks, we have to clean the place first before the shop opens, check our 'float', the stock, print daily reports, do the 'courier', check top-up cards and e-top up balance. It looks a lot, but once i get used to it, hopefully, i can master it well and execute it perfectly. Sorry for any mistakes so far. Nothing much to story about, but i did face many problems as i'm dealing with customers. Next time, be nice to people like 'me'.

Study. I'm still at the crossroad, and i don't know which road to take. Too many interests and i do not know which one should i grab! But for sure, i want to be a somebody one day, something that can shake the world, make earth, or other planets, a better place to live in and change life of people in dire need. Maybe Form 6 or A-levels if i don't know which course to tackle yet. I'll, being optimistic, to find one that really suits me best, and if you would like to recommend any, simply drop a comment. Thanks! I'm the 'type' of person always thinking big. And i won't stop thinking!

House is 70% completed for CNY. I'm multi-tasking. Try to do more things at a go - work and the house. Alas, i can only do so when it's my off day. Just to tired after work. But trust me, the house will be ready by CNY, and i'm so looking forward to it!

That's all for this post. Will write more next time, and sorry for the late update and no pictures. I'll, again being optimistic, take more pictures of my work place, the development of the House and so much more. Exhausted, wc08!

Work!

Sorry for the late update. I was busy the whole week, and couldn't find time to blog. But this post will be a compact one. Also, i may not be able to blog that often anymore, as i can only do so when it's my 'off' day - which gives you a hint that i am already working. Once you work, you can never have enough time- time is precious!

" Lost : one 24-carat gold, 24 hour day. Each hour studded with 60 diamond minutes. Each minute studded with 60 ruby seconds. But don't bother to look for it; it is gone, forever, that wonderful, golden day, i lost today"

Time... Last sat, my sis, Vivianloy and i went for the Star Education Fair in KLCC. I'm still uncertain to which course should i take, or even which field should i venture into. Foundation? Form 6? A-levels? I'll do my very best to search one soon - time is running out, and i'm aware of it!
The next day, i started on my driving together with P Jian. We both went for the 'Undang' 5 hours talk. As they say, it's boring. Really. Luckily it's already completed! All i have to do now is to read my 'guide' book, and sit for the exam. But it won't be as easy as they may say for me now...
I found a job- i'm working as a CSA in the new Maxis near Ampang Point, if you know where was the Baker's Cottage before, it's that spot. The job is really challenging, and i could say quite difficult as i'm not even a Maxis user, further not familiar with hand phones! But that's the point. I'm interested to learn something new, something i'm not familiar with and to experience working life- one thing, it's not as easy as it seems. I'll roughly explain what i had learned, gained and encountered through my first week of work (using initials to name the people there).

I started working on Monday. As usual, we had to clean up the place first, switched on the computers and log-in into the 'system' and prepare the counter. We do lots of things there. If you need to pay bills, top-up, register new line, lost of sim card, change of plan or even broadband, you can come to us. All you do when you register looks as if the following tasks are simple. But it's not. You only scratched the surface then! After the completion of the form, we have to key in the details into the computer, of which all the procedures differ for each thing done. Also, we need to check your overdue, or sorts, and contract to confirm the change before doing it. We also have to complete a letter to be sent over to the main office. Sometimes i am afraid to do some tasks as i'm new and the responsibilities are really huge, and heavy! And on the first day itself, i was appointed the cash-drawer person. I did the task pretty slow, and the customers had to wait. The senior, Sam, was our trainer. The others working there too are SX, Sue, Nad (now no, quit), V, Sean, JW, CCW and RC (boss). They're friendly people, but when it comes to work, they're quite strict and serious. No joke. On the other days, i did paperwork, and also some registrations. We work 5 days a week, 9 to 9. Pay is rm xxxx.xx. Maxis users, come to us then!

That's all for now. Since i'm on break today, i have to hit the books, not storybooks, and also recall what i have learned during the days of work, simply too many. Time, is always a factor!
wc08

the Power of a Book

" Reading gives us somewhere to go when we have to stay where we are " - Mason Cooley

Thank you for your vote in my poll : what should i do now? It's true that at times, i feel bored, sometimes even daydream, and wander around the house, walking up and down aimlessly. Luckily, i found my boredom saver- books (i'll never get over them despite after the SPM), and they took me out from the boringness of those days. No doubt that the quote by Mason Cooley is absolutely true.

This is the latest book i read and it revolves about Micheal Wolf's life -past and present. Death, jealousy and forbidden love, are the themes of this book. Written by Andrew Rosenheim,, the story begins with the death of Micheal's father, who was murdered brutally. He was from Stillriver, a small town where he grew up, faced troubles with his father, the petty jealousies and competitiveness of his younger brother and the love of his life, Cassie. This book is a good-to-read type, but sometimes a bit too draggy.

This book's summary intrigues me a lot! And it will be my next book to read, after i completed Stillriver!

A 2-in-1 book, by John Grisham, will be off my shelf soon!

My all-time favourites, the Wedding by Nicholas Sparks and the Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown, are books that i will recommend you to read them

I'm not sure whether i will be able to work any part-time jobs- unless you can recommend me one. Soon, i'll be busy again, but that's another story. This garnered the most votes in the poll. Coming second is to learn something extra, so, i conducted another poll regarding languages to pick up. Third is to start my studies, but the problem is, i haven't find courses that are suitable for me as i'm interested in many! Last, with no votes at all, is to just stay at home and be good (looks like i was doing that, but it's going to change)

Besides reading, i'm going to be a 'potato' really soon, sitting on a 'couch'! Yesterday, i watched the first episode of Damages, shown on AXN at 10pm. The show looks very interesting and i'm sure to follow that series.

I'm controlling the remotes, on a couch, ready to be a potato!

I really hope that i can work part-time, to earn extra money. Note, the books and the show are not for promoting purposes, just to let you know what i'm doing nowadays. Soon, very soon, i'll be back to business, and off the 'couch'! wc08

Run Up to Countdown, two!

" The most manifest sign of wisdom is continued cheerfulness " - Montaigne

... In the previous post, i storied about my Genting trip as well as the Melaka trip. Back from Melaka, it was only a day left before the Countdown showdown, and i don't know what to wear! Should i go for black this new year, or something more colourful and bright? Indecisive, i didn't pick the shirt i wanted, the shirt picked me! And guess what, it was the latter...

The photographs were taken using, again, Vivianloy's camera. Sorry and thank you! Our party, or celebration (don't know what should it be called) , was held in Charlie's Reserve. The place was fantastic, including the food, such that the place was like ours! The mood for a party was born there, and partied until the clock stroked 12.00 midnight! Happy New Year 2008, you're finally here!

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Me, my sis and Vivianloy, after screaming Happy New Year!

Me, my dad, my bro and my sis... Welcome in 2008...

...And that's about it- my countdown celebration! No fireworks display, but we still managed to have a wonderful time there. Welcome in 2008, and don't forget to bring joy and happiness in too!

My end-page of Chapter 16 is finally closed, and soon, i'll be writing on Chapter 17. You, and I, don't know what is stored for me, and i'm eager to discover and reveal it. Smile always, and be cheerful, from your blogger, wc07/08!

Run Up To Countdown, one!

" 'Smile' is the light of enthusiasm in a person's window "

Still lingering here about 2007 mainly about the 'aftermath of SPM ' and the New Year countdown. Celebrated Christmas in Genting View Resort, had a wonderful time up there- wish to go there once more! Headed to the Outdoor Theme Park on the Boxing Day, the weather was a little chilly, on and off, shivered when the wind blew. Fortunately, all the rides were operating, and tried as much rides as possible - Flying Coaster, Pirate Ship, Spinner, Mine train, Fun kart, Dragon are some to name! The photographs below, taken by Vivianloy using her camera, will speak of itself of how lovely the trip was!

Preparing for take off...

... Off we go!

Dragon... A tour-plus-roller coaster ride!

The mini-group that went to the Outdoor Theme Park

Just after the Genting-X'Mas trip, off to Melaka for another 'makan-makan' holiday! My family and i went for a 3 D 2 N stay there, whereas Un. Albert and Un. York's family spent one day there, looking at antiques, along Jonker Street, then to St Paul's Hill and also Melaka Museum. Along with Un. Albert was Kelvin (back from Aus for holidays), Shaun and Brandon (both from Aus, Kelvin's friends). Had Melaka's chicken rice balls, the famous cendol and satay 'babi'.

Looking at bags with my sis, around the clock-tower

Posing in the museum! The Wonder-5! Ha ha...

Group picture before leaving the Museum...

Group picture, with Brandon and Shaun, before heading to the Jonker Street

In Jonker Street... where to next?

All smiles, me and Vivianloy!

Top of the hill!

Our stay wasn't reaching the end yet, it's just the end-of-the-beginning! Stay tuned for more as i countdown my celebrations to new year- with lots more smiles on the faces... To be continued!