Quality of Life

While I was in the dialysis biz unit in my company, quality of life was something we preached to all kidney failure patients. To help motivate them to live their lives to the fullest despite the circumstances.

Just what is quality of life or QOL???

In Asia, all people ever do is chase after something... a race to earn more, a race to have a higher position, a race to acquire fancy cars, luxury homes, rich husbands or supermodel girlfriends. People work later and later, and even on weekends. In the chase for their definition of QOL... riches, power and status!

Have they ever stopped to smell the flowers, to enjoy the scenery, to just spend time NOT chasing anything. A concept the ang moh's seem to know better than us. So, her we are, not chasing anything, left our responsibilities, our jobs, our troubles halfway around the world. Here we are... learning from these ang moh's, stopping to smell the flowers, to feel the fresh green grass, to breath the fresh air...

From Glasgow with love

Been too busy to blog lately. Posting photos up on fb has made thing much simpler to share ur life with ur friends, don't you think?

Anyway, Glasgow has been pretty sunny since we arrived. Apparently, this is not normal. Guess we must've brought d sunshine with us when we came! :) :) :)

Here r some random pics! :)

Career Marathon

Been training running lately. Initally boss made it compulsory for the whole company to join the Standard Chartered KL Marathon in end June. But drew back the compulsory bit. Obviously alot of people pulled out. But since I had aleady started training and have gotten hooked on how inspiring running can be when coupled with some emotionally stirring music... I have decided to press on.

I noticed how I always add on a little more every time I train. A couple of km more, a few minutes faster. Everytime you add on that little bit of challenge, your body feels like giving up but you press on. The next time it feel easier. Then you give yourself a new challenge...add a little more to your target. I actually look forward to my next run every time.

I guess this is also how work life can be. The career marathon. Everytime you get good at what you are doing, you take on a little bit more... so that things don't get so boring and routine. Everytime it gets easier, you take on even more... and grow even better in the process. I used to look forward to the next challenge to take me out of my routine. However, lately I've been pretty tired of pressing on at work. Sick of the routine, sick of the frustrations. Everyday it is the same thing over again. I wonder why can't I motivate myself to press on, and add that extra 1km more today... and another km more tomorrow. I used to be able to do that pretty well. What has changed? Perhaps running in itself is the routine... doesnt matter how many more kms I add?

Perhaps it's time I take on swimming???

Cat food... meow!

Ok, I did not literally eat cat food... just Kuching food. ;)
Here are some of the yummy stuff I had on my East Malaysian trip last week. Mostly in Kuching as my colleague was more familiar there.

Sarawak Kolo Mee...mmmm


Wantan


Lotsa lotsa lotsa seafood... habeh my cholesterol level.


The aftermath


Had this super huge chicken pau which was good too but was stuck in the hospital till so late we were super hungry so tak ambik gambar lagi tuh. Same case wt the KK seafood. Oh well, there's always next time!! :p

My fav videos

Am @d Kuching airport Starbucks awaiting my flight... bored. Cant post d Kuching food stuff up yet coz cant transfer d photos yet. So, juz tot I'd post my 3 fav videos on youtube here. Am watching them now anyway... :)

Our wedding: The Musical

Yes, I am still alive!! And so is my blog!! :) Just been too busy to post anything till now. This is just going to be short post as d craziness of the MBA is yet to be over.

Here are some photos from Alvin and my wedding... :)

Our church wedding


Daddy giving me away


Hubby & me



The "I do"s :)


With God's blessings


The dinner


Opening gambit duet


Our singing speech!



The bride and groom's first dance.



The Grand Finale!!

It was a lovely lovely musical wedding that was super memorable not just for hubby and me, but for our guests!! Will never ever forget this day d rest of my life!! :)
Have yet to receive all the photos from my official photographer. These are just stolen from my friend's albums from facebook. Heheheh. Anyway, I better get back to my assignment!! Gotta finish it before our lovely honeymoon!!! :) :) :) :)

Gong Hei Fatt Choi!!

Here wishing everyone a Happy Happy Chinese New Year!!!

May d year of the Ox brings everyone good health, prosperity and most of all happiness!!! :)


And of course...
"gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme gimme more, gimme gimme, gimme gimme more..."
I know I sound like Britney now but it's d last year I get to collect angpau leh. So, keep 'em coming!! ;)

My veil!!

Have finally finished making my veil!!! With bling blings!! :)


D whole veil


D bling blings


D comb to fasten onto my hair

My very own design and my very own efforts... One of a kind tau?!!
Isnt it pretty??? :))))

Where time stood still

Took a trip down memory lane today with my sis. We decided to do something that we have not done in a gazillion years, since our schooling days when we were living in Ampang. We took the Starlink LRT down to Petaling Street or better known to us a Chee Cheong Kai!!


As we arrived at Plaza Rakyat station, we walked that ever busy path down to Chinatown. Once, we turn left... we saw that really familiar place where we used to shop once a year for Chinese New Year decorations when we were small!

It's still there! And still looks the same.


Smells of bak kuah and sounds of tong-tong-chiang CNY music fills the streets. It really brings us back to the good old days.


We had lunch at this small lane between 2 shops. I miss the yummy grilled seafood there in the evening but it was too early AND I still have my monster sorethroat so can't fulfill my cravings today. :(

I can, however satisfy my cravings for my favourite air mata kucing!! It still tastes as good as ever... somehow their Midvalley branch cant do it quite as well.


The reason I went there was because, from the Malaysiabrides forum, I got to know that there is a shop somewhere in Petaling street which sells wedding stuff at a very cheap price. So I bought an off-white veil material-thingy there. I sooo love Malaysiabrides forum... I find that happy people are always the most helpful. And who are happier than a bunch of bride-to-be's??? I got so many tips on wedding planning, wedding vendors and DIY tips there. :)

We then took a walk in S & M jewellery to look for the black comb-piece to be sewn on the veil... and found it! All in only for about RM20!! Yet the bridal shops wanted to sell me a plain ol veil at RM280!! Gila! Now I can get started on my sewing! :) In S & M, they are even playing pop songs from the 90's. It was truly like time did not move at all since we last came!


We took the LRT back as well and I'll bet others thought we were tourists coz I was busy snapping photos. Teehehehe! But they must be baffled when we said that this stupid incomplete structure has been around and been an eyesore to us for more than a decade. ;)


After we got back, we decided to check out a shop near my house. Another bride-to-be friend recommended. ;) There were so many pretty pretty craft materials and stuff, it must have been heaven for my sis, who's the creative craft kind of person. I even finalized what I wanted for my flower arch 4 d wedding and put in a booking! Yay!! :)

Bitch-fit!!!!!

Recently, I've been forced to crack d whip on some people who had no sense of urgency in finishing a task. I don't like throwing these bitch-fits but this time my patience finally ran out.

For those who know me well will know that I always play nice when I need something done. I may use feminine wiles or even inflict guilt but I ALMOST never play the bitch card. My philosophy is, we are all adults and we all know what needs to be done, whether at work or in any other areas of our lives. You would think people doing a Masters degree would be mature enough to research, read and do what they need to do without being pushed but boy, was I soooo wrong!!... not only did these people not have the sense of urgency, when they finally do the task, they don't read through what actually needs to be done. Instead some of them just fill up some slides with statements pluck from thin air!!

We are NOT doing things for the sake of doing. Every step has a purpose and needs to be supported by facts. This is not a kindergarden project. This is not writing up a fictitious story. This is an analysis!!

Instead of thanking me for pushing them to do it, I get snide sarcastic remarks about throwing a bitch-fit temper. HELLLLOO!! You are NOT doing this assignment to appease me. This subject is for ALL of us to learn and to hopefully pass!! In case they haven't notice, ALL of us are in this boat together.

We have so much holes in it, so many ideas pluck from thin air, I'm not even sure I know how to lead them to fix this mess. :(...
I really don't know what to do anymore, the deadline is close by... and I have sacrificed enough time & effort on this to pull out & just defer the bloody subject.

Was it a mistake to want to venture out of my comfort zone this semester? I had decided not to stick to my usual group of friends for all assignments this semester. Was that a bad decision?

I don't think so, it's still a good experience. At the very least... I learnt 2 things:
- that it is crucial to have good team mates. People who work for the same purpose and are equally committed. People who are proactive and need not be pushed as they see the goals as a benefit to themselves as well. So, choose carefully if you have that option.
- that if you do not an option, you need to manage people and manage the circumstances. You need to be strong & get emotional even when you feel like crying. You need to bring out any personality that can get the job done even if it not the real you. You don't need to like it, and neither do they. Coz it's business and not personal.

Wish me luck... God knows I need lots of it.

Wet cement

After teamteaching with sifu ie. Kenny a couple of nights ago, got him to reassess me. :)

After giving me the usual feedback session, something he said, made a lot of sense. He said that the 1st 3 months is extremely crucial for any new instructor. This is when our habits form and sets in place. It is also when we make our first and lasting impression on members. Like wet cement, if you mold it while it's still wet, it takes the form you want. If you wait till it is set, sori lah...

So for the next few months, he advised me no matter how bored I am of the 2 releases I have, (which I am!) stick to it so that the moves become reflex action without having to use the brain. Instead, use the brain space, time and effort to improve on coaching. Members will also be happy to see us improve eventhough we teach them the sames songs. He gave a lot of very practical coaching tips too. Thanks sifu!!

So, its BJ 45 & 46 for me all da time... sien!!! :s Lucky after Christmas got BJ 47. :)

Caution: wet cement! Don't step on me ya? ;)

Community Service @Lifespring

This post is totally overdued... but nevertheless deserves space on this blog still. :) A few weeks ago, the Young Adults Ministry at my church, Revival Centre, did a community service program at Lifespring Orphanage at Balakang. We decided to do a paint job for them as one of the rooms there was burnt and in dire need of repair. We wanted to do something that had a lasting effect and not just a touch 'n go kind of visit.

A lot of people make the mistake of doing social activities with orphanages just once off and end up hurting the kids even more when they leave. These kids are deprived of a real family and clings to whoever shows them love and care with all their might. If someone visits the orphanage once off bearing toys and socialize with them, they will feel the sense of abandonment when these people leave. If a volunteer wants to build a relationship with these kids, it has to be a long term, permanent arrangement. Like twice-weekly tuition classes...etc.

Since most of us could not commit our time in the long term, we thought a building revamp would leave behind something more meaningful. :)


Cleaning up de place before we started de paint job


Mixing paint and delegating jobs by colour groups!


Me attempting to be a green thumb heheheh


Moving out all the furnitures


The murel team!


The kids there make their mark in the building as well!


The finished product, and de artist behind it!


Nice new coat of paint



It was a wonderful day for both the givers and the receivers. It was amazing how much provision could fit into one of our church member's small Viva... hehehe. God is great and so is His love!!!

Underpaid :(

Recently, I had to look through quite some resumes and speak to the headhunters to hire some new product specialists (tis just a nama glamour for medical sales people :p). The more I looked, the more depressed I got!!

I am soooooooo BLOOOOODDYYY U-N-D-E-R-P-A-I-D!!!!

I guess recesssion is not applicable to the medical & healthcare industry if so many companies are still hiring and all the candidates are still asking for such high salaries. From what I see, the only way I can get anyone good (and I have no intentions to get crappy people for my own team) I need to outpay myself!

Hmmm, maybe I should apply to work for myself in order to get a raise!!
@#%*&#~>@$$=#$&*@!!!!!!!

I also know that the other manager is getting higher pay than me!! And his workload is even less. Unfair! Unfair!

The only reason I am still here is because my direct boss is such a dear. She is a true rarity, a good boss is such an endangered species these days. I think my company knows that, that's why they think they can pay us (who are under her) crap because we have her to hang on to.

Maybe it's time to step out of our comfort zone to find out what we're really worth... and get paid what our work is TRULY worth.

My very own first Bodyjam class!

Had my very own first Bodyjam class today in IOI!! It was an unexpected one, initially thought my first class would be the one in DU on Thurs...hehehe.


Ta-da! My name's on d board!!! :))))

Was kinda nervous coz wasn't really well prepared especially for the tracks from BJ45 which is a bit rusty since I was practising BJ46 like crazy to do clearance. Hehehe. But overall it was fun!! Looking forward to Thurs! :)

What a GGRRREEAAATT day!!

Today, I was nervous about 2 things... my first surgery (as a helper not a patient k?) and my Bodyjam clearance.

The surgery which was an abdominoplasty, lasted for about 6 hours!!! I only managed to have lunch at about 3.30pm! Had to stand all the way throughout the surgery and my legs ache. But at least d doctor asked to have the Mamma Mia! soundtrack playing and we even sang along! ;) Not only the surgery went super smoothly... my part in it also went super smoothly that the surgeon wanted to learn more. And he was singing praises about my product to another colleague of his while we were having a bit together till she agreed to use it!!! He said that his patients love the effects and the faster healing. I didn't even need to do any selling AT ALL!! :) Isn't that a nice warm fuzzy feeling?

Then in the evening, I made my way to Summit for my clearance assessment by Leo. Arrived early so I did some last minute practising. During the class, it wasnt as non-intimidating as IOI would've been since there are more people and I don't really know them. I guess sometimes my nervousness showed, sometimes I managed to hide it, hehehe. Adalah some mistakes here and there, lotsa improvements to be made still... for both cueing and technique. But final result??? I cleared!! I cleared!! Yay!!! Yay!!! Now am truly part of FF's Bodyjam team! Dance 4 life! :) Another warm fuzzy feeling!!

Wasn't it such a beautiful day??? :)