人的命运

不知不觉，回到古乡砂劳越已经将近两个月了。 两个月而已，感觉却好象蛮久了。或许是因为美里的生活步骤比较慢，在短短的一个多月做了很多事，生活的很充实。

不但如此，也看到，听到，也体会到许多。很多的感叹，也很多的感慨。人生的路，充满了学问，道理，佛法。有此感言，或许是因为这里与大自然靠的比较近是其中一个原因吧!!!

傍晚时刻，忽然灵光一闪，脑海出现了一个很古怪的想法。所谓性格决定习惯，习惯决定命运，那父母是不是决定小孩的命运的一个非常重要的一个因素呢?

虽然说我们的命运是冥冥中自有安排，性格还是决定命运的一的元素。我一直相信命运是掌握在我们的手上的。小孩的性格是大人们建立的，所以我说大人是决定小孩的一个很重要的因素。

再来看看，有好多的家庭，孩子们通常都会踏上跟父母大同小异的人生路和结局。不知大家有没有想过其中的'玄理'呢?

我希望这篇文章对我们的社会有一点点的启发和贡献。要孩子成龙成凤，就请记得用栽培龙凤性格的方程式吧!!! 

Traffic in Miri

Miri is such a laid back town / resort city.  Well, the name of resort city still hasn't sank in for me yet.  But then, doesn't really matter actually.  As long as it's a nice place to live.  

Driving in Miri is so relaxing.  I drive at about 70 km/hr, yet I reach office in 15 minutes time, even though the distance is about 12 km.  In KL, I spent almost 45 minutes in the morning to reach office, distance is only 8 km. Such a big different in stress level.  

One thing you have to be alert is that, the driving skill of the local people is really 'shiet'.  They would stop in the middle of the road out of the blue.  That really is a test of reaction and steadiness.  Imagine, stop in the middle of the road just to answer phone.  Goodness me.  Also, on double lane, 2 cars of the same speed drive side by side.  They block the entire road.  Others can't overtake them.  They are the king on the road there and then.  Hahaha.  

Despite of all these, I still like it here.  It's a laid back life and people are really kind and friendly regardless of their driving skill.  You can always see smile faces :-D

Time Flies

Dont know dont feel, i already come back miri 3 weeks plus.  

Eh, this sounds quite right even though it's a direct translation from Chinese.  Hahaha.  

As always, time flies.  If you don't make full use of it, you would feel that you're wasting your time.  That's what I think right now.  

Anyway, there are so much to write so little time.  Let me write few short articles in a short while.  Today is Saturday, finally I have time to sit down and do something for myself.  

Lunch first ;-)

One Hectic Week

I think I'm jinx.  Whenever I stand in for colleagues with their work, it would turn out to be a busy week, with lots of issues to settle.  Non-stop phone calls, meetings, simulations etc... This week alone I ran simulator so many times that I'm the expert of it now.  Brain doesn't function properly and normally after looking at the simulation too long.  Hahaha.

Oh, I'm just tired and a little exhausted. Chatting with offshore friends who are standing by, doing nothing, feeling bored to death, arrrggghhhh, all I can do is envy.

But in a way, I quite like the challenge of the current job offers.  There is a kind of satisfaction in this job when everything went smooth as planned.  And the thrill to solve problems under immense pressure makes me feel alive.  

Oh well, just that one cannot live under constant stress and pressure all the time.  One hectic week is enough to help me refresh.  Fingers crossed that work will be smoother in the future and I will have more time for my life :-)

Coffee

It's been a long time since I attend a training course.  Being in the field for the past 2 years, I am so used to physical work instead of sitting in air-con room whole day.  It's torturing attending the class.

Moreover, I feel so sleepy in the office and now in this class.  Though still manage to pay attention in class, it's a challenge to keep eyes open.

I had no choice yesterday afternoon, that I had to take coffee to keep me awake.  Normally I do not take coffee, as it sometimes do damage to my body e.g. tired, heart beat accelerates and entire body shakes.  That means I took my chances yesterday either the coffee would energise me or tires me even more.  Sink or swim case.  

Lucky for me, it was a swim case.  Not only I didn't feel tired, heart beat didn't pick up, I was refreshed.  And I kinda enjoy the fragrance of coffee, till date, hahaha... 

Today had half a cup of coffee.  I was too sleepy, the half cup helped for a short while only.  Sigh. 

Conclusion, if wanna stay awake and alert through the day, please have enough rest and enough sleep :-D

KL Spending Power

It's been a long time I last went to shopping mall in KL.  On Sunday found out that a friend from Kedah who I haven't met for many years was here.  So, what more to think?  We quickly decided to have a rendezvour at The Gardens, which is next to MidValley but not as crowded as it.  

At this moment, I have started new job for about a week.  Not used to it as all, as I haven't had any sun for about a week now, partly because it's been raining a lot, partly because of the working hour that didn't allow me to get 'good' sun except for damaging mid day sun when I go out for lunch.  So, when arrived at The Gardens, I feel like sick, air-con again !!!  

But that's not what I want to highlight here.  Sorry ah, detour a bit.  Haha.  What I wanted to say is that, at MidValley, I see many young people having coffee or whatever expensive drinks at many cafe outlets.  These cafe outlets are not cheap.  A cup of coffee or drink costs at least RM10.00.  Minimum.  People hang out at the outlets, talking, surfing internet, reading while sipping drinks, soaking in the luxurious moments of life.  

Looking at these people, I wonder, where do they earn their money from?  I told my friend, KL people are really rich.  Friend replied in an intellectual way... he said, it's not that KL people are very rich, but there are many of those who are willing to spend.  Ya, makes sense, though we cannot deny that there are many rich people in KL too.  Haha.  

Well, we need these high spending power people to enhance national economic growth.  Good to see them.  Hope to see more of them around and for once in a blue moon on that very Sunday evening, I was one of the member of this 'important' group :-D

Letting go of property and vehicle in KL

My first property, an apartment at Kajang, Selangor and my first car, Proton Wira Aeroback, are for sale now.  I guess I'm looking for a new start in Miri soon ;-)

P6-B-11-02 is the apartment unit no.  Long time ago, my big sis told me that she likes Kajang.  Kajang is a small and peaceful town.  When I was searching to buy property back in 2004, my apartment was having launching sales promotion in Ampang Park.  Went to see the show unit, I liked it.  Without thinking too much, I put down my deposit and went ahead with the purchase.  Didn't have the clue about property investment then.  But I guess the most influential factor of my purchase was big sis mentioned that she liked Kajang.  Haha.  

WKS 4105.  She's my legs in West Malaysia.  Without her, I wouldn't be visiting places around here.  For six years I have her, she didn't give me any major breakdown or sort.  She's the best.  

It's always sayang to let go our first.  We are an emotional animal.  Sometime I want to have it all.  Keep everything in my possession forever.  But this is life.  We can't have it all.  Slowly, we learn to let go.  We will soon learn that letting go things that we do not need is refreshing, wonderful to our soul as there is less burden  on our shoulder and be able to feel happier and smile more.  Good for health as well.  

Good bye.  Thanks for your services for the past years.  You have been wonderful companions.  I'll find you more generous and caring owners, no worries :-D

Total Darkness

Lied on a bed.  Room was pitched dark.  Could faintly hear the sound of machinary outside of the bedroom wall. 

I extended my fingers in front of my face, close to my eyes.  There is a reason that it's called pitched dark.  Total darkness.  Not a tiny bit of ray.  There's no way I could see my own fingers only inches in front of my face.  

Light is important to the world and to the human. 

Confused.  Do I now open my eyes or close my eyes.  Both ways I felt like a curtain was closed on my eyes. 

Anxiety and fear of not knowing your surrounding normally happen when darkness falls.  On this very bed, at the very moment, I felt calmness.  Be one with the nature, do not resist for a moment, do not struggle.  Breathe as normal as you can.  Relax. 

There are many things that are out of our control.  We feel helpless in most of the moments.  Hence, we fall.  We suffer. 

Take thing as it is, knows its path and we shall succeed.  Open our mind to great possibilities.  Hence, to happiness. 

And I better stop here.  I don't know how to continue this bullshit anymore.  Wuahahahaha.

But think again what I said here.  Something to ponder beyond boundaries. 

Long Awaited Coming Home

Some of you may have known, some of you don't.  I recently resigned from my current position.  I have accepted an offer from my previous company.  The best benefit that comes with this new position is that I'll be based in Miri.  Ahhh, a thought of it feels like a sprinkles in a drought land.  It's refreshing and I'm loving every bit of it.  After so many years of wondering, I'm finally coming to my beloved land I called motherland, Sarawak.

The thoughts of coming back to Miri, be close to family and friends overweight the idea of office 8 to 5 routine.  I don't know how I can cop with the routine after been 2 years away from it, and I'm so used, in fact, love offshore lifestyle, but I'm sure I will be able to rise to the occasion one more time.  

After all, being able to balik kampung makes every other challenges more worth while. 

I'm really looking forward to this new life ahead.  Wish me luck. 

The End of an 'Era'

With Gyrodata, I set foot on countries that I wanted to go for so long... I had the chance to step on the southern hemisphere country for the first time in my life, Australia, and I fell in love with Perth immediately, take away the flies issue during summer.  I visited 2 communists countries back to back, Vietnam and China.  The visit opened up my eyes and my mind to another part of the world which are totally different from Malaysia and countries I visited before.  Regardless of the histories, I come to a conclusion, Malaysia, you're losing out.  Politicians, wake up otherwise you will lag behind even more.  All other countries are moving forward but Malaysia is either stagnant or moving backward.  Either way it's not good news for Malaysian. 

Of all the offshore rigs and countries I worked on, I left my foot prints.  I enjoyed my time there.  I made many friends and still keeping in touch with them.  Technologies nowadays have definitely make the world a smaller place.  

I have always been enjoying the travelling part of my job.  Adventurous.  Honestly, I think I still have at least 3 years in me for this type of life i.e. travel, hotel, chopper, working at odd hours, laugh, swear, be so close to the nature i.e. the ocean, the sky, the cloud, the rain, the sun.  I'm just a bit sad that I could do what I always wanted to do for such a short period of time.  It comes to end an so fast.  I'll miss that part of my life so much.  I'm sure when I look back in the future, this will be the very precious moments of my life.  

Basically, I achieved my target I set when I joined offshore.  I want to shape and improve my personality, travel to many countries, make many friends in Malaysia and around the world, built network around the world and in Malaysia.  

And of course, my bunch of active, energetic and friendly colleagues are the most precious lot that make this journey so enjoyable and fun.

I'll forever miss them.  Wish them luck.  And wish myself luck for the new old task.  I will also make sure I go travelling more often and enjoy life more than ever.  

My same old saying, life is short, live life to the fullest.  I am more inspired and clearer of what it means now than ever.  

Traveller

I was a little nervous, anxious and excited.  I was on my first official trip to work in China.  It was 17 June 2011.  Checked in at the airport, no problem.  I wished my luggage would arrive on the same plane with me.  Hope no surprises like in Australia.  Cleared custom no problem.  A big relief.  Not that I have committed crime or something, it's only the anxious feeling.  I'm sure everyone who read this article understand because everyone experiences this anxiety.  Hahaha.  

I'm just happy to be onboard MH...  Sorry cannot remember the flight number, it was too long ago.  Furthermore, that part of memory is gone together with my laptop.  Didn't manage to get an isle seat so was hoping the 2 persons who sit next to me wouldn't be giants that would squash and suffocate me when they take their seats.  

Luckily, both of them were of normal size.  One is Chinese from China, another one is a Caucasian.  Started to chat with this Mat Salleh about one hour before arriving.  He's a young chap.  Apparently, he has been travelling in Australia for a year now.  Now he's starting his adventure trip in Asia.  China is his first preferred country.  He's a descendant of Italian, a citizen of Germany, speak a little like Aussie due to his long stay there.  At that moment I wished I could turn back time and did what he's doing, adventure and travel the world.  I wonder who sets the rule that after graduation we have to work?  We could work and earn money while travelling.  But then again, I guess Chinese teaching is a little bit different, we have to take care of parents and family.  To ignore them completely is just something that we Chinese cannot do.  It's just not us.  

On the other hand, living in 21st century, we should be more revolutionary. We should allow ourselves one or two years of our own time, do something for ourselves before all the commitment we will later have in our lives.  At this moment in time, I really believe that taking few years off for ourselves will really do me good in long run.  The reason being that if I have done it, I won't feel regret of not fulfilling what I always wanted to do.  Back in my mind, I still hear the whisper of should have done this and that.  After all, we only live once.  Shouldn't be afraid of this and that.  Just do it baby.  

I'm still young.  I believe that there is still time to do some adventurous trips in the future.  There is no need to feel regret so soon in life.  

There was an attractive stewardess that served us on that flight.  This young German guy was affectionate of her.  I said to him, why not ask her out tonight.  He said, he will ask her.  When I was queuing for custom clearance, I saw him walking out alone.  Didn't have a chance to ask him of his luck but I'm sure if he succeeded, his China trip will start with blast.  If he didn't succeed this time, he will have many chances to do it in the future.  

I wonder how he's doing right now.  Once in a while, I look up in the sky, remembering all the people that I have met, I wish them best of luck.

Laptop Lost Mysteriously

It's been a long time since I last updated my blog.  It's been a while loh... I was in Tianjin, China closed to 5 weeks.  You know in China, many websites are blocked, blogspot is one of them.  I actually wrote one article while I was there, waiting to come back to Malaysia to upload it. 

On 23 July 2011, while I was at the departure hall at LCCT waiting for my flight back to Kuching for one week vacation, I took out my laptop to surf internet.  That's what modern people do, surf internet.  When finished, I remembered I put the laptop inside my laptop bag.  I didn't leave the bag out of sight for one second at the departure hall.  

Inside the aircraft, I put my camera bag and laptop bag on the overhead compartment, as usual.  I fell asleep, as I have done this many many times already.  Arrived in Kuching, arrived home, I didn't take out my laptop as I didn't not need to use it.  Never thought that when I opened my bag, I nearly got a heart attack.  

Next morning when I opened my laptop bag, my heart sank.  My beloved laptop, with all my personal documents, which I haven't copied them into my external hard disk, has disappeared.  It was not in the laptop compartment of the laptop bag.  Goodness.  

Nervous, I called LCCT.  No laptop at lost and found.  I never expected to find it there, but just need to make sure.  LCCT lady suggested to report to LCCT police.  I called, LCCT police suggested to go to the nearest police station to report.  I missed my Big Sister.  I wished my big sister is around.  Not that she's police women, but when she's around, I feel that no matter what happened, I am safe.  This is what she's to me, such a big figure in my life.

Reported to police, called office.  As long as I did my part.  CYA as quoted in the modern term.  

That's how I lost my laptop.  To date I'm still blur with the idea that I actually lost it between LCCT and Kuching house.  It's an X-file case.  

Now I have to re-create all my house loan spreadsheets, my account spreadsheet, my blog article etc all over again.  The thought of it drains out my energy.  However, believe this, new and improved version of things will be created once the old ones are gone.  I look forward to improve things I have done. 

Less Adventurous

Coming to Vietnam proved something.  I'm less adventurous than before.  Perhaps I'm a little bit exhausted both mentally and physically.  Been working non-stop since early Feb.  

Ho Chi Minh city is a vibrant, night is forever young kind of city.  It offers everything that you can ask for, fun, exciting, historical, beautiful architecture, pretty ladies, chaotic traffic, tonnes of motorbike, night life etc

However, one thing that's proved my point here is communication problem.  Not many Vietnamese speak English.  Not even taxi driver.  I just wonder, shouldn't the government put more effort in improving English level of the country?  I'm kind of lazy nowadays to try to understand what other say and try to get them understand what I want to say.  No like when I travelled to Italy in 1998, when I could 'understand' the Italian (from body language) and I could make the Italian understand my English.  That was amazing.  Thinking back, I didn't really know how I made it.  

Fast forward 13 years later, at this moment, I have lost most of the 'spark' for adventure.  I wished everybody can speak the same language, that we don't need to guess what others are trying to say.  I only hope we can sip coffee at a cafe by the beach enjoy the sea breeze, sun shine and sound of gentle wave.  I need more of that nowadays.  

Urgent trip... Again !!!

On 12 April, 2011, while I was having my nice time having brunch at a Mamak shop below my apartment, I received a surprise call.  Office phone rang, without any warning, my heart sank a little, as far as I know, there shouldn't be any upcoming job so soon.  With little hesitation, I pressed the answer button... the voice from the other end conveyed a message that kinda exploded in my head a little... "you're going to Vietnam tonight, flight at 8.20pm"... huhhhhh... very unexpected.  I have not done many things that I set out to do just yet, and now I have to fly out again... hai ya, what kind of life I get myself into... hmmm...

So I had less than 6 hours to finish up what I had planned to do in KL.  Went to KL office to hand in life jackets, met my brother in KLCC tower 2, chatted a bit, called Feng Shui Master, didn't pick up, then had to quickly went back to Kajang to pack and clean house, as tenants are moving in on 15 April, 2011.  What a rushing plan.  I pray and pray, that everything will turn out to be OK.  Too bad I didn't manage to return to translation to Feng Shui Master, his customer just have to wait till I return to KL.  

By 6pm, taxi arrived.  Jumped on it, and I was on my journey I wished I had taken last year this time, to Vietnam.  

Vietnam, here I come... 

Cuti-Cuti Kota Bharu

Standby in Kota Bharu on 4 Apr 2011 as the names on chopper have been cancelled last minute.  Well, just take it like a paid holiday.  Of course, slept in the morning, trying to recover from the recent hectic work schedule.  Had the famous local Nasi Kukus for lunch @ around 3.00pm after a brief tour at the Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah.  

Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah

Nasi Kukus, yummy

 Office called, if by afternoon there was no chopper booking on the following day, we might need to return to KL, save cost mah... flight at 4.30pm... so after had lunch, had to head back to hotel, in case have to leave KB.  At about 3.30pm, office called, and we stayed... good... means I got the chance to go visit places in KB, hehehe... 

Started my cuti-cuti KB at about 4pm.  First stop, Wat Pothivihan, where Sleeping Buddha statue is situated. After half an hour journey passing through Kelantan River, small villages, I reached this temple.  It is a big and peaceful place.  According to the taxi driver, people here are the Thai descendants, they speak Thai language here as well.  I find that the monks do speak Mandarin as well.  There are many Buddhism books in chinese language.  Had coconut drink there too, the tables are under trees, which is cooling and relaxing.  There is a Kuan Ying statue in a pond, it was dirty and full of fungus.  I asked the monk about it, and he asked me, oh do you wanna go clean it?  haha, so I said, why not.  He found a cloth for me, and I jumped into the pond (water only knee high) and started cleaning the statue.  I couldn't clean it thoroughly I didn't have the tool to clean parts of it.  The bottom part is just too dirty, I simply couldn't clean it with that already not so clean cloth.  After that I 'Hui Xiang' my deeds to my big sister up there.  Hope she receives it.  

Wat Phothivihan

Sleeping Buddha, even Muslim friends come visit too

Different version of Mi Le Fo

Sleeping Buddha overview

After that went to another temple where there is a big Sitting Buddha, called Wat Mai Suwan Khiri.  At that time it was already 6.30pm, so didn't spend much time there.  Took few photos then ciao.  

Sitting Buddha

On the way to another temple, we detoured to Pangkalan Kubor, the border between Malaysia and Thailand.  Too bad the immigration closed at 6pm, didn't make it to Thailand side.  Maybe it's good that I didn't make it there since it's still not very safe in South Thailand these days.  

The last destination is theWat Chonprachumthat or the Dragon temple.  It was almost dark already.  Good time always passed by so quickly.  Luckily still managed to take few photos there, thanks to my expensive camera.  

Overall, I like what I see here in Kota Bharu.  Definitely will recommend to friends for visits here ;-)

2 types of kuih muih found here in KB.  I love the left hand side kuih

Longest Hitch and the Inspiration

I should say, FINALLY I'm back to civilization... I just had my offshore longest hitch, from 19 Feb 2011 till 27 March 2011, a total of 37 days.  

It's been challenging and testing my endurance both mentally and physically.  I think I did pretty well here, could still go on for at least another week.  Haha.  

Need to thanks all friends who chatted with me during this duration and family supports.  To be honest, I was a little bit more enlightened about what I want and what to do with my life in the future.

Over there on the rig I spent so much time creating spreadsheets for my bank loans, possibility for new properties investment including purchase a land then develop it (build houses etc), learned about EPF withdrawal, different types of home loan.  It all started when I tried to search for houses in Kuching.  At the beginning I only searched for houses below RM400K, then I increased the 'unthinkable' to RM500K, then RM600K... ehh, I thought I could still afford it, and if I couldn't I could get others to joint venture with me.  Then I looked into investment in shophouses, which I could never dreamed of due to the over the moon prices.  The first shophouse I looked at is the Uni Square right opposite UNIMAS, RM830K... normally I would pengsan and just forget about it.  This time I put the number into my spreadsheet, and of course the result was unfavourable to me lah, but at least it opened my eyes and mind that it's not impossible leh.  

From there onwards, I planned and planned and planned.  My colleague was so fed up of me because I looked at my spreadsheet and searched for information on internet most of the time.  Haha.  Need to thank him as well as he shared lots of information with me.  

Well, I do hope all my plan will come true one by one.  Step by step I will make sure I make my plan happens.  Hehehe.   

And all of you, believe it or not, my mind started to 'open up' after I started playing a computer game called 'Plants vs Zombies'.  Who said game is not good?  I taught my nephews tricks to play and logic behind every move.  They become smarter... wuahahaha... Games can be good, we adults have to know the games then we can guide our children properly.  Well, that''s just an opinion from an unmarried single.  I hope life is as simple as that.  

Incident on the rig, 14 March 2011

I'm now on a tender rig, T9, which floats on the water with 4 anchors that pull this rig at its location.  We stay on the rig but the drilling activities are all happening on the platform.  The platform is accessed from the rig by a bridge, which is called the access ramp.  There are few other names given to this access ramp, Widow Maker is one of them.  There is a ladder that we need to climb from the bow deck to the access ramp, which itself is a hazard to safety.

Rig, Access Ramp and Platform

On the day I arrived, a tragic accident happened.  There was a big white man, he was going up the ladder but somehow he lost his footstep and grips, he fell flat on his back, knocked his back of his head hard of the floor.  Later on I found out that he actually weighs 300 lbs, which is about 140 kg, and he is 63 years old.  

He laid on the floor for quite sometimes before he managed to sit up.  People rushed to him, the medic went with a big bag with medical gears trying to help.  He was bleeding at the back of his head.  His hearing was temporarily lost and his was weak.  Imagine, 140 kg object fell from 6 feet high, the impact was quite intense. Really felt sorry for him.  

From the bow deck to the hospital in the accommodation, stretcher was used and crane was used to lift him up from the bow deck to the hospital in the accommodation.  Town was alerted, special chopper was arranged with doctors and specific medical gears to come to the rig immediately.  The incident happened at about 10.30am, and he was medivac to Kuala Terengganu at about 2.00pm.  It's efficient and effective medivac effort from ExxonMobil.  

Accommodatioin

The company man later was saying, "guys, if you think it's unsafe, don't do it.  It's not worth it".  Yup, I totally agree with him.  Since safety is prioritised above the rest, we all have the rights to stop to do job if we dont feel safe.  It's not worth it.  Our love ones are waiting for us back home, we want to go home to them safe and sound, alive and kicking.  

At the age of 63 years old, I really hope that I would have the luxury of enjoying my life.  And pray hard, I will not weigh as much as 80 kg.  

Me on supply boat Setia Teguh, 14 March 2011

Been A While

Hello everybody, it's really been a while since I last updated my blog... It's only because I'm still on the rig, offshore... Exact location :

Latitude: 5 (deg) 27 (min) 49.71 (sec)

Longitude: 105 (deg) 23 (min) 58.02 (sec)

Rig: DD3

Field: Seligi H

Day offshore: 20

Basically somewhere in South China Sea.  Haha. 

The rig network actually blocks blogspot.com website, I just don't understand why the management needs to do that.  That's the reason it's been a while I couldn't access to my blog.  At the moment, I'm in the SLB Wireline unit with internet access, thankful for this facility.  We just finished a survey run about 45 minutes ago, now standing by for run #2, which will be on in another half an hour, I guess.  By the way, it's 2.45am on 10 March, 2011.

I somehow enjoy the moment right now.  Not so much of distraction.  I have good time for myself, think a lot, reflects on the past, think of all the possibilities for the future.  I used to think small, a little coward and lack of confidence I should admit.  This past week, I tried to think in a bigger picture.  What if this, what if that.  I think I like what I found in me.  Waking up the giant in me LOL.  Quickly, I must write this down, in case I forget in the future.  This piece of 'masterpiece' will remind me of this moment and the new found me. 

If we love what we do, we will have the confidence to execute it, endurance to last till the end, passion to influence others to join you and most importantly, we will be at ease with who we are, have a peace of mind and satisfied with our life at the end of the day.  I just realised no matter how hard we try to reduce the regrets in life, a life path I have been following, but at the end of the day, this is an imperfect world.  There will be lots of regrets in life.  At this stage, I think I'll put that slogan behind me for a while and just live a good life, think bigger and seek the 'big' me inside me.  I think I've found it, just need to drag 'me' out totally.  Hahaha. 

I look forward to better future :-D

Pissed

Oh I'm really pissed right now.  I'm supposed to return to land tomorrow, somehow client wants me to stay till dont know when... Argggghhhhhhhhhh...

Current Location / Rig:  Seligi H / DD3

Client: EMEPMI

Days onboard: 12

Rabbit Year 2011

Gong Xi Fa Chai and Happy Rabbit Year everybody...

As we all know, time flies.  We are fortunate to live long enough to celebrate another new year in our lives, which we should be thankful for it, right?  In fact, life is really beautiful if we really open our eyes and see through all the problems and sufferring we have every day. 

How is everybody's 2011 Chinese New Year celebration?  I sincerely do hope all is well for everyone out there. 

As for mine celebration, we didn't really celebrate this year's Chinese New Year.  I guess we are still in the 'mourning' period... Not sure if it's called the mourning period or not, but you know what I mean...

However, I have been blessed this year.  Things turned out to be even better than I expected.  I'm really happy and thankful that I'm able to be with my family during this auspicious time for the Chinese. 

I didn't apply for CNY leave this year, as I only have 2 weeks of annual leave left for the entire 2011.  Each time I take leave, I have to take a 'block' of 7 days, which is a week duration.  That means I only have 2 'blocks' left this year.  As we're not really celebrating CNY this year, I opted to leave my annual leave for other meaningful occasions, e.g.Mulu Cave family trip in June. 

Initially, I was scheduled to go offshore just before CNY, 30th or 31st of January, 2011.  The job was expected to be about a week long, which meant I could be back at Miri home on 6th or 7th Feb 2011.  I would be able to meet my parents, my brother and his family, but not my 2nd and 3rd sisters and their families.  That was the initial expectation.  It ended up like this, offshore operations was delayed, so did my trip to the rig.  Hurray!!!  I standby for a total of 10 days.  I spent the first 2 days in Bandar Seri Begawan, managed to meet up with my 3rd sisters and her family.  Yeah!!!  Then I got to spend the rest of my standby time in Miri, celebrated with parents, brother and family, 2nd sister and family, though she only came to Miri on the first day of CNY, still good enough, no complained mah...

Missed my big sister dearly.  After countdown for the Rabit Year, images of what we always did popped up in my head like slide show.  I sincerely pray and hope that she's also enjoying this auspicious period of time as much as we always have been, in her new world. 

As for parents and family, I whole-heartedly wish all to appreciate lives more and be together with your love ones.  Learn to control temper and be happy. 

Bali Business Card

Yeah!!!  Finally, I have made my Bali tour business card.  Even though I used the template availabe at the printing shop, I got it done. 

The business card didn't appear as the sample shown though.  At the moment, it doesn't really matter.  I will use it temporarily while designing a card of my own. 

I am really happy.  Action is definitely more practical than having lots of plan without execution.  Next, I'll give out my new business card to as many people as possible.  Step by step I'll make this business grow.  Fingers-crossed. 

English

Read an interview of Fernando Verdasco today.  For those who don't this guy, let me introduce.  He's a prof tennis player from Spain.  This interview was conducted after his third round win over Kei Nishikori, a 21 year old nickname 'Japanese Wonder-kid'. 

As english language is not his mother tongue, just like me, it is interesting to see the press conference with Fernando Verdasco with the press.  See below:

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Q. You dominate the game all the time, especially your forehand stroke is so good. How did you look back at that game, that match?

FERNANDO VERDASCO: What I think about the match?

Q. Yes.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

 

English, somehow, as we all learned in school, is not a very complicated language.  Otherwise I wouldn't write this blog in this language.  However, in a way, the english speaking people make it sound so difficult to understand.  They like to go round the world before get to the point.  Just like the question above.  For the native speaker, of course they will understand it instantly.  But for non-native speaker like me, I think my respond would be similar to Fernando Verdasco.  See the way he made clarification.  He summarised the whole long winded sentence in 6 words only.  It is so simple and straight forward.  English speaking people can be sophisticated, complicated and annoying sometimes.  Hahaha. 

 

This reminds me when I speak to Ang Mo.  Many times I would get confused with what they say.  Normally after a long sentence, I would be, huh?  what are you saying?  or just pretend I understand, in fact I dont give a damn.  Hahaha. 

 

However, practice makes perfect.  This didn't happen to me though when I studied in the UK.  Conclusion is, I don't need to give a damn if I cannot understand them now.  But if I work for them, or I live around them, in order to blend in to the society, I will definitely need to speak like them and think like them, in the name of 'Survival'. 

 

So be sure we know our place in the society.  Be wise ;-)

Number of Vehicles in KL

Over the years, I noticed one thing that grows fast in KL.  The number of vehicles on KL and PJ roads are increasing terribly fast.  Most of the KL major roads have heavy traffic irrespective to the hour of the day nowadays. 

 

I read on the newspaper yesterday, that the sales of vehicles in Malaysia has increased by 11.8% for private owned vehicles in 2010 in comparison to 2009. The current trend will most likely continue over the next 5 years, at least. 

If the current trend continues, in 5 years time KL may turn into an unliveable city, for me at least.  Not to mention other cost involved, the traffic jam alone will be enough to drive the drivers insane.  For those who have been to Jakarta or Mumbai will know what I mean.  A short 2 km journey will take about 2 hours.  Imagine, those who stay in Shah Alam and work in KLCC.  At what time they will reach home to their family?  Will there be any quality family time?  Do parents spend enough time with their children, show them love and educate them properly?  The monthly expenses (at least for petrol and toll fees) will increase, so money will be a headache issue. 

There are many more underlying issues we can relate to this issue.  It is quite scary to think of them.  I am not sure if the government sees this upcoming challenges or they are still busy 'stabbing' each other.  Or maybe instead of comparing Malaysia economic status with Singapore, the government prefers to compare with Myanmar nowadays?  We're still much better than Myanmar as they say.  Malaysia is just too corrupted and underdeveloped.  Not to mention about race issue the politics use as political issue, no proper education system set up after 53 years of independent, etc etc etc etc... the list goes on and on...

My conclusion is, KL is definitely not a place for me.  Malaysia?  I have been considering the possibility of migrating to a better place, don't know where yet.  At the moment, I just feel that Malaysia, other than it is spared from natural disaster, is not really a very good place for me and a place to raise my children.  Or maybe I'll join in the political games for the betterment of the society?  hahahaha... Dreaming.  Don't think I can last one day dealing with cunning wolves. 

Well, will see what the future holds.

Diving

Many times friends have mentioned about diving in a deep blue ocean.  Everytime I have only one answer.  If I have to dive, this will be my only way.  See the picture below.  In a cage.  Hahaha.  In case a killer shark came, at least I'll be save. 

Been talking about it but I never did put an effort to search for any picture of it.  Found this picture in a magazine downloaded from internet few minutes ago so decided to put it up here.  Hahaha.

Customer Services

I went to 4 banks to get quotations for refinancing my apartment today.  Bank loan interest rate that I have for this apartment is the old deal from 5 or 6 years ago, where the bank loan interest rate was still high, above BLR, BLR + 0.25% p.a.   

Went to 4 banks namely Maybank, Alliance Bank, RHB Bank and Citibank.  I experienced 4 different approaches from 4 of the bank officers.  It's just interesting to see the difference in the level of professionalism in them. 

First, Maybank.  As the bank officer is the sales manager, he's experienced in customer service.  He showed professionalism.  He explained to me and suggested me things to do.  I told him that at the moment I'm also looking for quotations from other banks.  His reply was 'Maybank will try their best to keep their existing customers.  I'm sure Maybank will give you a good and satisfactory offer'.  Well, I'm not sure how good the offer would be, but at least I'm satisfied with the answer.  Too bad I have to return to the home branch for this refinance.  Troublesome but will have to do it regardless.  This bank officer is polite and knowledgable, make customer feels comfortable and have confident in him. 

Second, Alliance.  A lady bank officer.  She looked a bit unwell, coughed a little with a little hoarse voice.  She said she ate... errr... can't remember what she said, that caused the problem.  Haha.  Once she understood what I wanted, she took out a paper, started explaining what Alliance Bank has to offer in details.  After that she would take down my contact number, my apartment address, if I have done renovation to my apartment and she offered to value my apartment.  Once she receive the valuation, she will call me up to let me know the actual loan interest rate.  Then she wrote down a list of documents needed for the refinace application.  My impression was she knows what she is doing, professional, decisive and confident. 

Third, RHB Bank.  A young man.  I guess about 26 or 27 years of age.  He didn't explain much.  Only told me the interest rate of RHB Bank, but will only know the finalised bank loan offer after they do valuation on my apartment and the amount I want to refinance.  He then took out his calculator, started pressing the buttons.  After a while, he would tell me the monthly installment, assuming the loan amount is bla bla bla and with the generic interest rate.  I was like, OK, and can you tell me more about the loan itself.  What are the features and benefits???  I can't remember what his answers were.  A little fed up, I took out the paper from Alliance Bank, told him what the other bank offered.  Only then he started telling me more.  At the end, I told him you should have told me earlier.  Guess what was his childish answer?  I nearly gave him a knock on his head when he said that.  He said, 'because you didn't ask'... huhhhhhhhhh.... and then he told me, if I want a better rate, with his hand tapping the bottom part of the table (later I found out that it's under table interest rate), I can go HSBC.  I was thinking, huhhh, this guy really couldn't care less of me.  Bad impression.  Not professional.  Though gathered few extra information from him, I guess if I want a quotation from RHB Bank, he will not be the bank officer I will look for, agree?

Finally, Citibank.  Citibank is an international bank.  The services it provides, I would expect to be better than other local banks.  I guess in Malaysia, you can't be sure.  I waited at lounge area, and here came another young man.  The first impression was, he is a bit unwilling to serve, as if he wants to finish the conversation in one  minute and go back to whatever he's doing if possible.  He only talked, talked and talked.  He only took out his pen and asked for a piece of paper from the counter when I asked more questions.  Feeling a little bit annoyed, I asked him, shouldn't you explain properly from the beginning?  He gave another funny answer.  He said many times he explained to customers,
they do not understand what he's saying.  It's best for him to get the details from his customers, prepared the documents, then only he would explain in details.  I was like, huh??????   OK, whatever he is doing, as long as he can earn his living.  Or maybe to him, I look like an uneducated person?  I was wearing a jeans and T-shirt only, maybe looked really poor or my apartment value didn't really interest him at the beginning.  Haha.  With the kind of impression, I really couldn't care less of what he's talking about after that.  But I'm who I am, I would just ask questions here and there, about anything, just to make him talk more.  As I showed more interest (faking) and maturity side of me (hopefully), he started to explain more and more.  His attitude improved.  Maybe he is happy to finally be able to explain to somebody who can understand?  I think to myself, maybe he really had a bad day, or even days.  Hahaha.  At the end, I asked myself, if I'm going to get quotation from this bank, will I ask for him?  Hmmm, most probably not, maybe he will be the second last choice.  Last choice would be the young man from RHB bank.  Hahaha.  Purely because of attitude problem and the impression he gave me.  I dont think I will get a good service from him, as my loan amount is not big. 

It is interesting to see the variety of characters in human beings.  As Chinese old saying, one type of rice 'creates' 100 types of people (characters).  Tomorrow will go to few more banks.  Hope will see more different characters.  In a way, this is how I learn and improve myself as well.  I learn

1. How to handle them accordingly. 
2. I learn about their good and bad points.  Good parts I'll absorb them if I haven't got them already.  Bad parts, throw them out of the window, never keep them. 
3. Sometimes their attitude reflects my attitude as well, so need to analyse and access about myself too. 
4. In customer service line, it is utmost important to make your customers feel comfortable, confident in you, maintain good communication, build the trust, share as in dont be stingy of your knowledge and they think of you when they need assistant. 

If you can fulfill these few simple criteria, I guess you are already successful.  I guess I've done it and I'm proud of it.  hahaha.  That's why I have high expectations.  Hahaha.