Digital Lifestyle Expo '11

I was on duty during the weekend at KLCC, where the above mentioned expo was being held.

This morning as I arrived, I saw a string of people lining up to go in immediately at 11am. As I was one of the exhibitor, I was allowed to go in first. As the clock strike 11am, I saw these people running for their life, going straight down to G Floor (did I mentioned that in order for them to go to the expo located at G Floor, they first had to passed by MOSTI's booths located at 3rd floor).

My curiosity perked up, me and friend started following them too. My friend mentioned that she overhead some saying there is an Android based phone selling at 50% discount price. Wow, I was thinking, this seems to good for real. So, we too followed the crowd, and I had my glance at the Expo.

Not very impresive, I would say. Maybe because I wasn't planning to buy anything. So I was looking around, trying to see where the crowd had run to. Right at the other end, I saw - they were quieing up to buy not only phone, but also memory stick of 4GB at the price of RM1. Only first 50 customers are entitled. Funny how people hunt for bargain. But in times like these, we had to as the cost of living has escaleted so high.

I'll be working again tomorrow, wonder how the crowd will be again but nothing much to be expected as the crowd wants to go to the expo, and so there will be little chance they will stop by at the Science and Technology Innovation (MySTI) booths.

Happy Birthday to Us ...

Yes, as I mentioned in my previous post, I celebrated my birthday this month - Month of July. So does my syg and my 3rd sis, who was born on the same day, but different year. Come to think of it, their age gap is actually 10 years... hahahaha....

So, I just wanna wish my syg (Egbert Adolf), my sis (Lai Yee) and me a very happy and blessed birthday.

God bless all of us.

July - The Busiest Month In The Year

Yes, indeed it is the  busiest month for me. Started off with a 2 weeks intensive training (and somehow during the meeting, I had to go for meeting, or spent some hours fixing problems at site), then followed by a visit to the site by KSU, and my in-laws coming the very next day for a week for a visit, which I had to take leave.

But somehow during my leave, I had to be back to HQ to attend 2 major meetings. I felt back having to leave them half way, at least my syg is around. But still, I am the tour guide in the family, and nothing much can be done if I am away. So I scheduled it in such a way that I am able to spend time with them before leaving for the meeting. Worse come to worse, I'll just set the location on my syg's GPS.

Then the following 2 days were dedicated to them. Brought them to Tanjung Malim and spent the whole day there. The following day, brought them to Times Square and KLCC. Though it was very tiring for me, walking non stop for the past 10 hours, nevertheless, I enjoyed myself as well, especially watching Daniel played in the children pool at KLCC park. Didnt managed though to go to Aquaria since it was already closed by the time we finished hauling the kids off from the pool. So does the PetroSains in Suria. The next day they are scheduled to go back to KK, but we still managed to bring them to Banting, to visit the church as well as to dine at syg's favourite restaurant.

Then the following week were just as busy as before - had to prepare and submit paper, took Daniel to hospital due to food allergy, and working on the weekends as well...

It was suppose to be a month of celebration for me and syg - since it was our birth months, but what to do... We got preoccupied with so many other things, it just got sidelined a bit.

Nevertheless, I am thankful that I am able to live for another year, thankful that the Lord had blessed me and keep me safe until now, a wonderful husband and a delightful son as my family - what else can I ask for ?

Thank you Lord, thank you very much Lord for the so many wonderful blessings you had given me.
I love You and I thank You for each and everyone of it.
Amen.

Unfinished Project - Cross Stich

Did I ever mentioned that I had a passion of doing cross stich ? No ? Then it must be one of my least passion. Hahahaha... Anyway, when I was little, I saw my mum spent quite an amount of time doing a piece. Turned out, it took her 4 years to complete it...

Now, as I was doing mine (more like when I had time to do mine), I was just wondering how many years it will take me to finish it. My mum took 4 years, mine was like already 5 years, coz I bought it back in 2005/2006. Initially, I wanted to complete it by October this year. I though I had the momentum to go for it... I even went and bought online (from US some more) additional threads since I knew I'll need it later. Hehehehe....

Looks like its gonna be an another unfinished project for now... Don't think I can make it for the October timeline... Ummmm.... Another failure, perhaps not, but only time will tell...

BERSIH 2.0

It was held on the same time I had my team building session in Trolak. Needless to say, I escaped all the chaos in KL (and so does both of my Sygs, coz he is just plain lazy to go out without me), but was still interested to find out what had transpired in the city.

I will not post report here as you can read it in the news, portal, blog, etc...

One thing that made me curious - PM said don't do street rally, but can gather in a confine area such a stadium. Organizers then agreed to that idea, but application to use the stadium was rejected. Why give an idea in the first place when you don't wanna give the approval ?

Funny isn't it ?

Team Building

I had the first team building session back in 2005 at Setiu, Terengganu. That time, the participants were only from PAN, none from HQ, Planet, not to mentioned even Langkawi.

It was in Setiu I had my first experience of walking in the jungle at night, alone and separated from the rest, (with only a rope to guide me), building a raft and using it while ensuring that we won't fall into the lake, flying fox (scared the hell out of me, jumping of from a tower three four stories high and slide all the way to the side of the lake) as well as some other form of exercise.

All of these had only one aim - to build up the team. At that time, we had already bonded, through some experience we shared among ourselves, so going for a team building was indeed fun for us coz we treated it like an outdoor camp.

The second team building was conducted just recently, over the weekend at Trolak. The place was indeed much nicer and cozier compared to Setiu and we had a even bigger group. This time, it is a combination of all the campuses in ANGKASA. But it was rather tiring for me at least, coz we were already attending training 5 days before, and we had to attend team building over the weekend before coming back to finish another 5 days of training.

And with more people attending this time, got to know and get close to more colleagues, but I am not very sure whether it changes anything in the way we work. I seriously doubt it but hopefully, it will give me more patience ...

Kungfu Panda 2 - Daniel's First Trip To Cinema

I wanted to watch Kungfu Panda 2 on cinema, but was unsure how Daniel will react in the cinema. I was scared that he will be like some kids - squeeling or yelling or crying in the cinema.

I decided to try it out as I really wanted to watch that movie in a cinema, after hearing and seeing the ratings of this movie. We went to Bukit Tinggi on a Sat, wanting to catch the early slot. We arrived there about 15 mins before 11.00 am. Bought our tickets for couple seat so that Daniel can squeeze in the middle. We also brought along his bolster, his gummy bears and some other snacks to keep his quiet. We also bought popcorns and drinks for ourself, and Daniel of course.

The cue came for us to take our place in the cinema. It was our first experience with couple seats (wished we had that few years back, I'm sure it will be very romantic). It was spacious enough, Daniel sat comfortably between us. I introduced to Daniel the "big TV" and he seems excited about it.

When the movie started, he seemed thrilled and surprise - by the sound system, by the tv, by everything... Needless to say, my concern was far off, and watching Daniel enjoying the show was really a joy to behold...

Daniel will definately enjoy going to cinema again... Maybe the next show - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow 2...

Sabah Trip - May 2011

I knew this post was a bit long overdue (ok, its way long overdue) but hey, its never too late to pen down some thoughts...

As Daniel is now 2 years plus, he had started to enjoy things more and more, and his interest on planes grew. So, imagine his exitement flying on an aeroplane, not afraid at all of taking off and touch down. It was a joy watching him.

Oh yeah, we went back to celebrate my bro-in-law's Sacrament of Matrimony... Congratulations once again for taking the final step to a new beginning. It was a non-stop week for us, started off with the wedding mass on Thurs, reception on Kota Belud on Sat and final reception at Penampang on Mon. That was indeed hectic as the family was doing most of the work preparation. It was certainly a relieve when everything was settled, and for the first time in my life, I managed to convince syg to bring me to KDCA for the Pesta Kaamatan finale on 31 May 2011. Wanted to watch the Unduk Ngadau finale but the hall was filled up to the max, so instead, we spent our time eating KFC... Hahahah...

All in all, an enjoyable trip, which got better towards the end....

Official Email Account Anybody ?

Came across a (funny) news article published in TheStar online today:

Published: Tuesday April 19, 2011 MYT 2:25:00 PM
Updated: Tuesday April 19, 2011 MYT 2:26:13 PM

Official email account for each Malaysian adult

Initiative is to allow direct and secure communication between the public and the Government

PUTRAJAYA: All Malaysians who are 18 years old and above will be assigned an email account each in order to receive statements, bills and notices from the Government.
The initiative would allow direct and secure communication between the public and the Government, said Tricubes Bhd chief executive officer Khairun Zainal Mokhtar.
Tricubes Bhd is the company developing the 1Malaysia Email project in collaboration with Microsoft.
Khairun said Tricubes Bhd would also spearhead the development of a web portal which would include social networking services, online bill checking and payments.
"Currently, the company is still running stress test for the portal.
"Hopefully, we can get it ready by July this year," he told a press conference at the fifth progress update of the Economic Transformation Programme in here, Tuesday.

So, now we'll be receiving emails from SYABAS, TENAGA, MBSA, etc... is it ? What kind of statements, bills and notices we are talking about here?

Seriously In Need Of A Break

Which means, I want to go on a holiday ! Out of the country, preferably. Syg, if you are reading this, can we go somewhere, please ?

I long to see the St Peter Square again, I long to go Eifel Tower, I long to watch Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding of the century live from Westminister Abbey.

I wanna bring Daniel to go Disneyland, I wanna go shopping in US where branded jeans and bags and others are so much more cheaper than Malaysia.

I just wanna go somewhere, elsewhere, anywhere - with my flight ticket, accomodation and meal allowances sponsored. Can or not ?

AX.25

What the heck is this ?

Well, for those who are in the communication business, you'll know that this is the protocol for amateur radio communication.

Now, how does it end up that a computer science background student (like me) have to deal and understand with this ? It beats me... And I am still struggling to trying to understand this. If there is anyone of you out there who can shed a bit of light on this, I am very much honoured and happy.

Keeping The Bibles Holy, Just As Keeping Ourselves Holy

The recent spat about stamping the Holy Bibles or Alkitab with serial numbers (as though the holy scriptures are criminal men and women) and the wordings "For Christian only " (which is confusing, as though people wouldn't know that Bibles are meant for Christians until they need to see the sentence) and also "By The Order Of The Minister" (wa, now man can dictate Bible is it ? ) is very disturbing and I personally and strongly reject this kind of injustice call.

"There is no compulsion in religion" - is a phrase I remembered very clearly from a friend of mine who converted to Islam.

The 10-points resolution proposed by the Government is indeed a step forward to solving this problem. My question is - how permanent is that step ? And why must it be a bias act between Penisular and Sabah Sarawak ? Why can the bibles in Sabah Sarawak not stamped but for those that will be circulating in Penisular, it must be stamped ? Are we implying that the people in Peninsular does not know the national language very well ?

I sincerely hope that in spirit of 1Malaysia, everyone will be allowed the same courtesy to worship in their respective religion. And the holy books of any religion should just be kept holy, and not desecrated in any way as it is disrespecful.

And let us try to be holy men and women as well, and "DO UNTO OTHERS AS WE WOULD LIKE OTHERS TO DO UNTO US".

Political Change in Sarawak?

Many of you knows what had happened in Sarawak during the state's general election. While many (especially our political leaders) had hoped that they win BIG TIME in Sarawak, seeing that it is one of their safe deposit, it turned out far cry than what was expected.

The Chinese obviously proved them wrong by voting DAP. And the Ibans also had a few words to say. Many seems to be very unhappy with the current Chief Minister, who, by the way, had rule Sarawak for 30 years. Even I think it's high time that someone else, a fresh new face, be appointed to lead the state. I can't be sure that he has not done any good to the state, but staying in power for so long, there are bound to be questioning here and there.

Initially, I thought BN will win big time in Sarawak, and that will pave way for the next general election. Looks like there is gonna be more work to win back the people's trust before doing anything.

"Rakyat Didahulukan, Pencapaian Diutamakan"

Time to see the first one being implemented in a more fruitful and forceful way.

Holy Week Is Just Around The Corner

Can't believe it that we are almost towards the end of Lent season, and beginning of the Holy Week. Speaking of Lent season, tomorrow there will be Way of The Cross in GKF, followed by mass. Hope we'll be there on time, though I doubt it very much that we can actually reach there before the start of Way of the Cross. Its usually before the start of mass (or end of Way of the Cross) that we finally arrived.

Don't forget to go for your penitential service. Happy fasting, people and GOD bless!

1 New Year Resolution Not Fulfilled

You must be wondering which resolution that I had failed to keep. Its blogging! I made a resolution to blog at least 12 times a month, and I just realized that the whole of March passed by without a single entry. You must be dissapointed with me, yeah ? I know, coz I am too....  *sob**sob*

Anyway, I am glad to post this entry, though we are already half way in April. There are lots of things that I wanna talk about, blog about, but .......  (this time, I am even too lazy to type out the excuses)

So, I am back ! I am alive ... (or so I'll like to be now, as I am caughing my lungs out)