Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Kooky Pics #169 Kickass HUGE

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Book Review : Time Traveler's Wife

I took the LRT to work and back home today due to a mishap that landed my poor Edward at the mechanic's. Seriously, I rather brave through KL jam everyday with asshole divers on the road THAN be squished with a gazillion dodgy people on the LRT with butts and hands pressed up against places it should never be at.

Thank God that Audrey Niffenegger's Time Traveller's Wife accompanied me on my mundane journey home and brought a smile to my face when I read this part...



Clare is not happy with this. "Sister Carmelita says animals don't have souls."

"Of course animals have souls. Where did she get that idea?"

"She said the Pope says."

"The Pope's an old meanie. Animals have much nicer souls than we do. They never tell lies or blow anybody up."

"They eat each other."

"Well, they have to eat each other; they can't go to Dairy Queen and get a large vanilla cone with sprinkles, can they?"

"They could eat grass."

"So could we, but we don't. We eat hamburgers."

Sunday, March 21, 2010

A career move

I was just browsing online and came across this last week.

For the professionals considering a career shift:
There is no such thing as a dead end. It is always never too late to try something new. Financial security may be more appealing. But when you get to the point of dragging yourself to work everyday, it is about time that you stop and think about your situation. There are thousands of books that can help you discover about yourself and what you are good at. You can also use the web for more useful information. Calculated risks and proper planning will help you find your way. Living with a purpose is definitely more fulfilling. Passion for something will bring out all the best in you.

After I completed my degree in December 2005, I started work in January 2006. My very first job- in audit. The first year was a pretty alright year but I knew right from the very start that it wasn't what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

I knew I didn't want to climb the corporate ladder in that direction and that audit just isn't for me. However, due to family circumstances and obligations, I stayed and struggled for the next 3 years and 9 months of my working life there.

I wouldn't say that it was all doom and horror. Fellow colleagues were what made it bearable through the years. Even up to now, we do meet up once in awhile for dim sum and talk about the good 'ol days or whatever everyone is up to at this point in time.

Memories in audit were numerous. The first 2 years were the best.

My batch of crazy colleagues- a younger us.

"Everybody, let's do a silly picture!!" Look who's the only one who did it in the end...

Celebrating birthdays as colleagues... as friends.

Crazy moments with dares.
Well, among 2 erm... interesting ladies.

Trying to appear drunk at my first department Christmas dinner in 2006.
Someone hooked at candy at my top. Hmmm..

Erm.. interesting characters...


Torturing Orientating the new joiners in 2007.

Celebrating 2008 CNY with JB colleagues when I was sent there for a 3 month stint.

Destressing from work with karaoke session in 2008
.

Auditors looooove fine dining.

Miss Lyn d Bimb... a really colourful character who's also a good friend.
Definitely never a dull moment with her around.

After some mini soul searching sessions, I finally made the decision to resigned in September 2009 and was fortunate to be given an early release from serving my 3 months notice. I only had to serve one month.

Annual dinner 2008

Dim Sum session 2009

Farewell karaoke session for a sweet junior.

My farewell dinner @ Daves, 1Utama blogged HERE and HERE.

It was definitely a first. A first of making a decision for myself, for once. Thinking of what I wanted. But the answer of what to do next still eluded me. I was supposed to do some reflection on what I would like to pursue next (and not make the same mistake of doing something I hated) but one thing after another kept cropping up to fill up my time and before I knew it, less than a month into my unemployment, I was offered a job in an investment bank in the Corporate Finance (CF) department.

It took me a week to think things through. With no other job offers in hand, I took up the offer. I mean, with my current AM (Assistant Manager) position and approximately 20% increment, it was a good offer. I figured that I would have November and December to go for other interviews if there were ever such calls. But the calls never came. There were no offers.

Hence, in January 2010, I started my second full time job in Corporate Finance. Into the first week itself, the urge to resign was overwhelming. I knew that once again, I was back to square one. The difference was that in audit, I couldn't take it anymore in the 2nd year onwards whilst into my very first week of this job, I knew that I would leave. It was just a matter of when.

It is definitely not an easy call. I initially told myself, if I could persevere almost 4 years of hell in audit, what is 2 years in CF. But who was I kidding? I was burnt out. I had not healed from my experience in audit. I was not refreshed nor rejuvenated. I was just a zombie in motion.

Everyday was another day with nothing I had to look forward to. I dread sleeping, knowing that work waited the very next day. And when I actually wake up, I struggle internally to go to work. To be positive. Whatever it was, I was thankful that I had a job. That I did not have to work late like me fellow ex-colleagues who were still in audit.

But after awhile, even there is only so much that can keep me going. My colleagues at my new job are nice, friendly and jokers. But of late, I do see the other side.

Due to several circumstances, I finally made a decision of what to do. There is a lot of uncertainties surrounding this decision and many would frown at such rash decision, or so they would think. I can't explain the full story of what transpired my decision but I believe that at this point of time, it is the best alternative.

And time will only tell if it is the best or rather most appropriate call or if it's yet another mistake.

I wish really hard that it won't be a mistake but that it'll be the best decision I make in my life!

Kooky Pics #160 All I see are lines

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Thursday, March 18, 2010

Back off

Ok. I don't understand. If you do, please, enlighten me.

Is there glamour and fame in being the "other" woman?

In being the one that was cheating with the husband of another woman?


When Tiger Woods was caught with his pants downs (not literally), woman after woman stepped
upfront claiming that they were one of the many women he had clandestine affairs with.


Few years back, it was the David Beckham scandal with Rebecca that lead to many other women stepping into the limelight to "sell" their stories.

Now, with Singaporean's Jack Neo's recent publicised infidelity (note: I write infidelity as in singular.. not plural) with a 22 year old model. Several women are coming up and saying or rather hinting that he made advances towards them etc.

COME ON. It's not something to be proud of if a married man makes advances towards you. Sexually or not. Is there no shame in these women? Cos I definitely feel shame on their behalf.

Of course, I am not saying that I am sinless, blamelss, flawless and hence, have a right to judge.

But my point being, behind each of this fallen men is their wives. The one that is hurt with the knowledge that her husband has lied. Lying is one thing. But doing the no-no with another woman! Knowing that the husband has destroyed and desecrated the very meaning of their marriage. Not just that, the humiliation is bad enough but to be subjected to the public's scrutiny.

And with the public, at times, empathising with the cheating scumbag aka husband and putting some blame on the wife. In whatever circumstances surrounding the husband cheating... it.it.STILL.C-H-E-A-T-I-N-G!

No excuses whatsoever.

None at all.

So, shameless women out there.. PLEASE leave the poor wife alone and give her space to breathe, grief and recoup.

Don't forget that if you believe in karma.. it can be a bitch. And one day, it could possibly be you... being the scorned one instead.

Kooky Pics #157 SEE no evil

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TAEYANG - Wedding Dress English Version

When someone sends you this song in English translation, it shouldn't mean more than simply just a nice song... right?

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

I love Yoo @ Mid Valley

Just last Saturday, I followed my brother around town whilst he did his job. Hence, if you had followed my plurk, you would see me plurking from Mt. Kiara to Mid Valley and then, Puchong.

At Mid Valley, the humid weather got to us and I suggested to my brother that we headed to "I love YOO!" for some tau fu fa and soya bean. My ex-colleague, Mel introduced this shop to me several months ago. The shop is apparently famous for it's smooth tau fu fa taken together with yao char kuai.

I've only seen yao char kuai usually taken with kopi-o which is probably due to my mum's nyonya/Penang heritage. So, I was skeptical, at first, as to how yao char kuai and soya bean would taste together.

But after tasting it, I can't seem to get enough of it!

All 3 times that I've been to this shop, there is always a loooong que.

They also serve other fried stuff but pretty pricey. Almost double the price you can get from other smaller shops.


RM1.40 per piece as opposed to RM0.70 each that you can get in pasar malam or other night coffee shops.

Yao Char Kuai

Smooth Tau Fu Fa with brown sugar *slurp*

Iced Soya Bean

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