Virtue of Rebirth at Nilai Memorial Park

There was a Virtue of Rebirth Ceremony for the departed ones organised by Nilai Memorial Park from 15 to 17 August 2008. My family took part in the annual ceremony. This is the second time we follow the ceremony since our late mother's departure last year July.

It started at 10:00 on 15 August 2008 with chanting lead by a group of monks to recall the spirits to 'attend' to the ceremony. As I was in Sabah during that time, part of my family came to 'invite' the spirits of my late mother as well as my nephew (eldest son of my eldest brother who passed away at the age of only 3 months some 18 years ago). The chanting continues until around 15:00 everyday.

On Sunday, 17 August 2008, I was there with my family members to do a final chant for our late mother and nephew. It started at 09:00 and stopped at 10:15 for a break. Then at 11:00 it continued until around 12:30. Vegetarian lunch was served, courtesy of some good samaritans. at 14:00 it continued the final chanting until around 15:10 when we invite all spirits to 'board' a giant ship, lead by the King of Ghost and his 5 faithful horses. It was believed that they will be greeted later by some Boddhisatvas and Hell Generals to sort out if they can be reborn immediately into this world again. Otherwise, their sufferings (if any) would be shorten and their rebirth time would come closer.

While I was busy chanting together with a large group public members, I managed to take 3 photographs of the event before the burning, or should I call it "sending Off" ceremony.

From my 2 years of observation, I found that each time when the Monk chanted the last verse and that foods are thrown onto the floor, strong wind tends to blow. I don't know if this is fenomenon or just a coincident. I shall observe again in next ceremony and the years to come.

By the way, Asha Gill was here for the documentary... but I wasn't interested to snap her picture. I'm only interested in the ceremony. Too bad...

Training in Kota Kinabalu

It has been so wonderful coming to KK and meet all my colleagues here. So hospitable and warm and friendly and ... short of words to describe. They are just wonderful people here. I came to KK on Sunday August 10th 2008 and today, Saturday August 16th 2008, I'm returning to KL liao. Everyday I have different colleagues offered to send me to work, prepare breakfast, lunch dinner, branch tours and return to hotel. They really make me feel like I'm the owner of their business (I'M NOT!). Everyday my schedule is packed and I have no time to feel boring or alone.

Well, actually the purpose of me writing today is not only to thank them for the hospitality but to publish some photos taken during each training.

A picture of me and my front liners from Ace and Blue Seven. Very interesting and playful group! They are all from the F&B Team.

This is the group from Vegas and Magma Recreation Club. A bit shy but eventually warm up to expectation. Also from the F&B Team.

This group from Double Up and Moretune. Sorry, its very dark here coz forgotten to on the light after presentation.

These two last pictures from Pantai and Sadong Jaya Recreation Club. Left picture shows those from the SMR section while the right picture shows colleagues from the F&B secion.

Well, there are so many pictures I wanna show here but due to limited space, Inly show some. Hopefully, more pictures can be shown in my next trip here or somewhere else.

Adriad CHOO :)

Today is a GREAT DAY!

Today is truly a GREAT day for me. Two wonderful ocassion had happened.

Firstly, I get to visit my ex-colleagues again and had lunch together. So happy to see them and to know that I am still being appreciated.

Secondly, shortly after my return from lunch, I was called to my superior's room for a very great news. After only three and a half months working, the management had decided to confirm my position with the organization instead of waiting for six full months. It was a great recognition as (according to my superior) there were many positive feedbacks from the organization (across all level of staffs) towards my contribution thus far. In addition to the early confirmation is a 5% increase in my Basic Salary. Accordingly, by year end, there will be another review.

Well, some of you guys may be asking what have I done to deserve such recognition. Frankly speaking... I DON'T KNOW. But I can tell you what I have done so far and I leave it to you to decide if these contributions are significant enough.

To date, I have:-
1. Designed 6 courses for the group. In hand will be another 3 more courses under development.
2. Conducted 5 courses for a total of more than 1000 colleagues from various ranking.
3. So far all courses are in-house designed without incurring extra costs (except traveling and accommodation costs).
4. Regular visits to branches to study their working environment, condition and to provide support from time to time.
5. I must say that I have interacted very well with staffs from all levels and thus established a brand of my own. * Well, my talkative and happy nature helps a lot!

So, does these provides a high impact on my career?

By the way, I'm in the midst of helping my superior to design a new format of Performance Appraisal for the entire group. Does this counts as well?

Cheers and I KNOW I CAN BE BETTER!!!

I just love training!

In my new organization, I have been given a much bigger role. Not only I will have to develop and conduct customer service workshop for floor staffs in various clubs, I also need to conduct leadership courses for management and HQ staffs. Then now come the customer service training for restaurant staffs as well.

The challenge is that most of them are really not that educated. So what I did to enhance their knowledge and make it a pattern inside their heart and mind is that I took some video clips on the proper customer service from customer coming in to customer leaving our place. I then attach the clips accordingly to my presentation files. I also add some songs for everyone to sing. The results.....so WONDERFUL!!!

This is truly an interesting job for me. Not only I was given the trust to run the training dept for the entire corporation group, I learn new things from time to time.

Thanks to my boss, the MD and thanks to Tan Sri Danny Tan who took me in and trusted me well.

To those who wished me well before, I thank you for being so kind and generous.

Thank you!

Macau Trip

I went to Macau recently for a 4D/3N trip... First time and was excited. How the people there look like? Are they friendly or fierce? Do they look like aborigines? What's the weather condition there? How's the city look like? The streets? Their language... so naive!

The day before the trip I was kinda buzy preparing all the clothes, shoes, socks, warm clothings, toiletries...blah blah. Set the alarm clock because the flight was 6am! Next day, 7 early 8 early woke up and prepared happily to be on the move. Reached the airport just on time as the check-in officer told me and my friend we were the last one! He he he...sorry lor! The plane took off and we were damn hungry... had our food and kept looking at the watch...still long way to go...

Finally the announcement came and I was there already... Once alighted from the plane, I could feel the full aircond condition...so nice! Cheh...airport so small lar (my first thought) but nevermind coz I wasn't working there what...

Took a cab to the centre of the town at Macau Pattaca (MOP) 55.00... around RM25 kua... Sooooooo beautiful, so many tall buildings, people walking around in warm clothings....exactly like in Hong Kong coz they speak Cantonese. Weather exactly like in Europe... The only difference is MANY CASINO around!

So many history sites to see but for me, I'm not a historian so not my taste...anyway, my SPM only score 8 (just pass). Moving around in Macau is so convenient and fun. Just hop on any shuttle bus and they are almost connected to everywhere among major hotels and casinos. Absolutely free!

Food...err... so so lah. Same like in Hong Kong also. Expensive! One plate of Yong Chow Fried Rice costs you a whopping RM12 - 15! Don't ask for Curry...its sweet curry powder mixed! Yogurt is quite difficult to find. Here we pay RM1.50 for it.. but in Macau, you pay RM5.00 for the same size. I also tried their famous portugese tart and fried pork burger (Chu Pha Pau)... Nothing to shout!

We went to some famous places such as the Venetian Hotel (huge and with large indoor casino plus branded shops), Wynn Hotel, Sands Hotel, the famous Grand Lisboa Hotel n casino... All about casino but I didn't play coz I'm not a gambler at all. Look see look see can lar!

Overall, took quite a number of pictures but bought nothing as everything there are expensive plus I'm still jobless...

My next post will come with pictures I snapped during the Macau trip. C YA!

Learn from the Election

Guys,

Many people said that election is dirty and politicians are also dirty so don't put your foot into it. I reserve my comments on this coz I'm not a politician and I do not belong to any political party. But I would like to observe their ways giving speeches, persuading voters to vote for them and their style of hitting one another (perhaps I should say twist turning the facts or attack - counter attack). Aren't they practicing Tai Chi?

While I don't know who is right and who is wrong, however, I really learn something from their presentation styles and their speech teraphy. So, in order for me to improve my presentation skills and to be a better training & development professional, this is the time!

So guys, if you see me attending any lectures or speech by either the government or the opposition, its not that I support them... I am learning by stealing from them. For those of you who are in the process of looking for a job and preparing to go for an interview, this is the time to learn to be brave, to talk without being shy and to be proud that you can speak!

Back on Feet

It has been the worst year for me. Promises had been made for my future. Bright, lots of opportunities, big salary, stability, blah blah blah... My job had been redundant and I was retrenched. To the head hunter who introduced me, thank you for getting me this job. To those who hired me, thank you for painting a good picture for me.

However, what goes around comes around. I've been doing good all this while and so when news broke out that I am jobless, many people had called me and lending a helping hand to recommend me to a job. Even head hunters been calling me, saying someone had referred my name to them.

To all those who tried to help me, thank you very much. I will update you guys when I got a job. I'm very optimistic about it...

What is CNY to me (this year)?

Is CNY a happy ocassion?
Not anymore for me starting this year. Those days, we would be busy with household chores, preparation and 'arguing' on almost anything. My mum would be busy packing ang pow and headache with what to cook...
Its now gone. Ever since my mum passed away last July, things have been changing. Everyone lived apart from each other and seldom meet.
This year CNY seemed very quite. Cannot celebrate in repect of my late mother. Some brothers didn't even want to return home... did I mention home? Where is our 'home'? So quite, so dis-united, so lonely...
Finally its proven. My mum is the pillar of strength and unity in our family! Without my mum, unity is almost gone coz brothers dun get together anymore. Strength also gone coz everyone is struggling for end meets.
MUM GIVES THE GREATEST SACRIFICE TO HER FAMILY!

Job Advertisement Translator

What they say vs What they really mean
A highly visible position means We can't afford any office partitions, let alone offices
Flexible Hours Work 40 hours means Plus whatever your supervisor asks you to.
Duties will vary refers to Anyone in the office can boss you around.
Must have an eye for detail refers to We have no quality control to speak of
No phone calls please is actually We've filled the job. This ad is just a legal formality
Seeking candidates with a wide variety of experience is actually You'll need it to replace three people who just left
Seeking candidates who require little or no supervision is telling you that You're on your own here; sink or swim.
Problem-solving skills a must is telling you that This is a company in perpetual chaos and turmoil.
Requires team-leadership skills tells you about You'll have the manager's responsibilities, without the pay
Good communication skills tells you about Management communicate, you listen, figure out what they want.
Ability to handle a heavy workload is a hint that Whine or complain and you're fired!

Difference Between India and United States

While visiting India , George Bush was invited to a tea reception with Abdul Kalam. He asks Kalam what his leadership philosophy is. He says that, it is to surround himself with intelligent people. Bush asks how he knows if they're intelligent. "I do so by asking them the right questions," says the Kalam. "Allow me to demonstrate. " Bush watches as Kalam phones Manmohan Singh and says, "Mr. Prime Minister, please answer this question: your mother has a child, and your father has a child, and this child is not your brother or sister. Who is it?" Manmohan immediately responds, "It's me, Sir !" "Correct. Thank you and good-bye, sir," says Kalam. He hangs up and says, "Did you get that, Mr. Bush?" Bush nods: "Yes Mr.President. Thanks a lot. I'll definitely be using that!"
Bush, upon returning to Washington , decides he'd better put Condoleeza Rice to the test. Bush summons her to the White House and says, "Condoleeza, I wonder if you can answer a question for me." "Why, of course, sir. What's on your mind?" Bush poses the question: "Uhh, your mother has a child, and your father has a child, and this child is not your brother or your sister. Who is it?" Rice was puzzled and finally asks, "Can I think about it and get back to you?" Bush agrees, and Rice leaves.
Rice immediately calls a meeting of senior senators, and they puzzle over the question for several hours, but nobody can come up with an answer. Finally, in desperation, Rice calls Colin Powell and explains the problem. "Mr. Powell, your mother has a child, and your father has a child, and this child is not your brother or your sister. Who is it?" Powell answers immediately, "It's me, of course."
Much relieved, Rice rushes back to the White House, finds George Bush, and exclaims, "I know the answer, sir! I know who it is! It's our Colin Powell!" And Bush replies in disgust, "Wrong, it's Manmohan Singh!"

Car Broken into at Endah Parade Parking

Today must have been one of my most memorable day in my entire life (better than hitting lotery for the year 2008) as my car had been 'luckily' broken into.

I parked my car at Endah Parade B1 parking from 08:45 hrs. By 12:50 hrs when I came down to retrieve my car from the Training Center, I was told or 'congratulated' for being the first victim in 2008.

Almost everyday I came to this place early in the morning to gym before clocking to work. Today got training so thought of gym after work... now can't gym already. The funny part is, thief only took my gym bag. The content of the bag is as follows:

1. Speedo bag - just bought about a month only!
2. Nike Shoe - Special edition from Japan... a gift from a special friend some 2 years ago but just wore it recently!
3. Gym glove - my last year christmas gift!
4. A set of gym clothes - so old n rotten still want to steal?
5. A set of normal clothes for after shower - quite old but I love these set so much!
6. 2 gym towels
7. Shoe bag by TekMark
8. Hair wax
9. Moisturizer
10. After shower body spray
11. A set of toiletry complete with tooth brush, tooth paste, shaver, tongue cleaner and cotton buds
12. 600ml water bottle with water
13. A comb
14. A lock
15. A pair of socks
16. A pair of old gym glove

Damn, now I have to spend money to do the glass again and to purchase all the above... Sigh, can't gym today! Tomorrow I will sure release my stress at the gym!!!

To the person or persons who did this; sorry, I got nothing valuable to you in my car!

Chinese read from Right to Left

A man went on business trip to China and wanted to buy some gifts for his kids. He went to a shop and found a nice looking CD player. Wary of buying inferior goods, he asked the shopkeeper, 'What would happen if this does not work?'

The shopkeeper quietly points to the only sign in English that reads, 'GUARANTEE NO SPOILT'. Feeling assured, he paid for the CD player and returns to his hotel.

He tried to use the CD player after returning to the hotel but it would not even switch on. He quickly return to the shop and asked for a refund or an exchange for another unit. When the shopkeeper refuse to give either, the man points to the sign assuring him of a guarantee.The shopkeeper then said, 'Brother, you are in China . We read from the right to the left.'

Trip to Bali

Recently I went on a Trip to Bali in Indonesia. Not a good trip to me this time (been there several times) because I have sore throat and so I have to talk very less (so called being 'cool') and can't simply eat whatever I wanted to.

This time however, I learnt of something interesting (could be scary to some of us). As we all knows, Balinese are mostly Hinduism, which means deceased need to be cremated. For some extreme poor Balinese, due to financial problem they would first bury their loved ones for a maximum of up to 6 months before they have to dig it up again for proper cremation.

I have seen their temporary graveyard. Since it is not a permanent one (not supposed to have graveyard for Hunduism), it is actually a public place with trees everywhere. The family would temporary bury their loved ones there and built fencing using cut bamboo sticks. The size is just not larger than the actual size of the deceased (not even the size of a single bed)! I have also seen some dug-up holes, purpotedly meant the deceased had been exhumed for a proper cremation.


Temporary Graveyard behind my bungalow in Bali


Dug-up graveyard some 6 months later (maybe less than 6 months)

Now the scary part is that the temporary graveyard is along the way to part of Kuta Beach in the city center. Some people who wanted to use a shortcut to the beach will have to pass by the graveyard. And the most scariest part is that there is a temporary graveyard at the back of the bungalow where I stayed... and it faced directly at my balcony!!! For the first night of my arrival, I let my balcony door opened ajar because I felt very warm inside. On the second and third night, after me and my room-mate made the discovery, we locked the balcony door. While I still can sleep well (nothing to worry), my room-mate was otherwise...

If I can Catch U I Can Have U

A fellow was reading the paper one day lamenting the fact that his doctor has ordered him to lose 75 pounds. Next thing he sees is an advertisement for a guaranteed weight loss program. Guaranteed like heck, he thinks to himself. But lets see what they think they can do. He calls them on the phone and subscribes to the 3 day, 10 LB weight loss program.
The next day there comes a knock at his door, and when he answers, there stands before him a voluptuous, athletic 19 year old babe dressed in nothing but a pair of Nikes and a sign hanging around her neck. She introduces herself as a representative of the weight loss company. The sign reads, If you can catch me, you can have me. Well, without a second thought he takes off after her (like who wouldn't). A few miles later, huffing and puffing, he finally catches her and has his way with her. After they are through he kisses the girl one last time and thinks to himself with a nod, I like the way this company does business. For the next two days, the same girl shows up and the same thing happens each time. On the fourth day, he weighs himself and, sure enough, he has lost 10 pounds.
Deciding that he likes his somewhat more slender physique, not to mention the method of treatment, he calls the company back and subscribes to their 5 day, 20 LB weight loss program. He thinks that losing 20 pounds in only 5 days seems like a lot, but he is intrigued by what their workout schedule might be like this time. As expected, the next day there comes a knock at his door. When he answers it there stands a 22 year old knockout dressed in nothing but a pair of Reeboks and a sign hanging around her neck. She is simply stunning, the most beautiful woman he has ever seen. She introduces herself as a representative of the weight loss company. The sign reads, If you can catch me, you can have me. He's out the door like a shot. This gal is in excellent shape and it takes a while to catch her. But when he does, it is worth every cramp and wheeze. She is wonderful, the best he has ever had. He is really looking forward to the next four days... For the next four days, the same girl shows up and the same thing happens each time, much to his delight. On the sixth day, he weighs himself and, unbelievably, he has lost another 20 pounds. I love this company, he thinks to himself, I never knew losing weight could be so easy and so much fun.
Feeling much better about himself, he decides to go for broke and subscribe to the companies 7 day, 50 pound weight loss program. Are you sure, sir? asks the representative on the phone. This is our most rigorous program. Absolutely, says he, I love your program. haven't felt this good in years! The next day there comes a knock at his door and he enthusiastically answers it. There stands before him a 200 pound perfect specimen of a man dressed in nothing but racing spikes and a sign around his neck. He introduces himself as a representative of the weight loss company. The sign reads, If I can catch you, I can have you.

Hu, Who...Kofi, Coffee... Yes Sir, Yassir

George: Condi! Nice to see you. What's happening?
Condi: Sir, I have the report here about the new leader of China.
George: Great. Lay it on me.
Condi: Hu is the new leader of China.
George: That's what I want to know.
Condi: That's what I'm telling you.
George: That's what I'm asking you. Who is the new leader of China?
Condi: Yes.
George: I mean the fellow's name.
Condi: Hu.
George: The guy in China.
Condi: Hu.
George: The new leader of China.
Condi: Hu.
George: The Chinaman!
Condi: Hu is leading China.
George: Now whaddya' asking me for?
Condi: I'm telling you Hu is leading China.
George: Well, I'm asking you. Who is leading China?
Condi: That's the man's name.
George: That's who's name?
Condi: Yes.
George: Will you or will you not tell me the name of the new leader of China?
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Yassir? Yassir Arafat is in China? I thought he was in the Middle East.
Condi: That's correct.
George: Then who is in China?
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Yassir is in China?
Condi: No, sir.
George: Then who is?
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Yassir?
Condi: No, sir.
George: Look, Condi. I need to know the name of the new leader of China. Get me the Secretary General of the U.N. on the phone.
Condi: Kofi?
George: No, thanks.
Condi: You want Kofi?
George: No.
Condi: You don't want Kofi.
George: No. But now that you mention it, I could use a glass of milk. And then get me the U.N.
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Not Yassir! The guy at the U.N.
Condi: Kofi?
George: Milk! Will you please make the call?
Condi: And call who?
George: Who is the guy at the U.N?
Condi: Hu is the guy in China.
George: Will you stay out of China?!
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: And stay out of the Middle East! Just get me the guy at the U.N.
Condi: Kofi.
George: All right! With cream and two sugars. Now get on the phone. (The phone rang and Condi picks up the phone.)
Condi: Rice, here.
George: Rice? Good idea. And a couple of egg rolls, too. Maybe we should send some to the guy in China. And the Middle East. Can you get Chinese food in the Middle East?