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Pages
Categories
- Everyday life (30)
- General (43)
- Laughs (5)
- Memory Lane (10)
- Places (26)
- Talks (1)
- Travel (11)
My new job
Posted on March 31st, 2007 by GracyBee.
Categories: General.
Through the many years of education, I have realised what I would like to do in the future: that is people-oriented career and so I have changed my line of profession from business to accountancy to marketing to tourism.
People have been telling that I’m giving up a good chance and career advancement, in this case: accountancy. It is easy to get employed and good pay. I appreciate my friends and others about their concern since I’m a graduate and so why should I go towards a different route.
Good pay is essential as money is the basis to survive. However, to me, money is not so important, but rather job satisfaction. Given a choice of ‘good pay, boring job’ and ‘bad pay, job satis’, I would choose the latter. The 1st one is good money wise, but towards health I’m afraid is not too promising. I have faced such circumstances and going to that job can be a drag every day though the money is good. Hence the latter.
Of course the ideal will be good pay & job satis. But before I go on to that stage, I have to stick on to what I’m doing.
^^^^^^
I found this job through the advertisement. Having going through interviews, I got the permit to work here. It is not a high paying job but I know I like it, despite the odd hours working.
I can’t reveal much about my job content as most of them are P & C. Generally speaking, I serve people and companies to meet their needs. Thus due to that reason, my working hours can be weird at times. But I don mind since I enjoy helping people.
It can get challenging at times as it is working against tight schedules, but I’m looking forward to those challenges and those tired feet!
Life renewed
Posted on March 28th, 2007 by GracyBee.
Categories: General.
It is nearly 7 years after I finally returned to Singapore. After much debate, I have made another decision, this time to come back to Spore where I have spent my school years to restart my life. Initially, I gave myself 1 year to get used to life back in my hometown. Apparently for some reason or other, it has been difficult to blend fully into the culture. And so here I am now, in a place where I know my life will be renewed. Oh yes, my life did get a new life.
I’m now gaining back my mobility, which was dervived from me when I’m in Msia. Public transport is so easily available here and I can get to places in just a click. And yes, I’m back to use public transport, which sad to say is not as yet easily available in Malaysia, where they do not go to places that I want to go. And what did surprised me that, my relatives and friends do welcome me back to Spore, which deeply touched my heart. And they did what they can to help me get back to life here.
Don’t get me wrong here. It is not that I don’t like Msia. My family is there and I love them. But after been living overseas for years, and life in Msia are not just the same, in terms of transportation. I will still go back to Msia for visitation purposes.
So it is time for reorientation as things change here so much, and I know in my heart that I will be happy here.
My little Angels
Posted on March 11th, 2007 by GracyBee.
Categories: General.
I have plenty of nieces and nephews. If we were to do an approximate count, inclusive of my ALL my cousins’ children from BOTH side of the families, I think it can add up easily to 30 +. *sweat*
^^^^^^
Out of so many, my heart holds dearly these 3 children: A, D and S., known as my little angels. Why only these 3? Perhaps I was there personally right after their birth and experiencing their growing stages with them, and hence the closeness to them.
This year, the 3 of them are 12, 10 and 8 years old respectively. It is a joy to see them going through the different stages in school life, growing up well, and listen to them speak in proper languages (with a hint of singlish sometimes). However, despite them being in primary school already, sometimes I still see them as little children growing from babies to toddlers.
I missed their baby squabbles; missed their sleeping moments; missed their childish smiles, chuckles and sweet laughters; missed their irritating questions as they started to gain awareness about their surroundings; missed their efforts in learning to speak and trying to tell you things they just discovered; missed the sparkles in their eyes when they learnt something new; missed their moments of taking their first steps; missed that kind of unconditional love they were so capable of giving you; missed their hugs and kisses; missed their pouted lips when things don’t go their ways….There are just so much I have missed about them when they were young.
Such moments are gone forever, but the memories are still etched firmly in my mind. As they are all going into the next stage of their lives, I hope to be there as well to experience with them.
Love all of you, my little angels
Zap Goh Mei & Lunar Eclipse
Posted on March 11th, 2007 by GracyBee.
Categories: General.
4th March 2007 marks the end of the Chinese New Year, also known as Zap Goh Mei (15th day of the month). It is deemed to be an important occasion for all Chinese, but we never celebrate it…heheh
^^^^^^
This year, Zap Goh Mei falls on the Sunday, and so we decided to go to our Ancestral Hall in Seremban. Our Ancestral Hall in Malaysia??? I thought this is all in China. But no. Our ancestors came to Malaysia many years before, and their 1st place to land on was Seremban. After they called this place their home, they began building a temple and ancestral home dedicated to our people who shared the same surname, dialect and roots as us. Hmm….what a dedication from them! Off we went with my grandmother and family.
^^^^^^
After we reach there, I have to wow at the temple. You can really feel their effort and pride in the architecture and design of the temple. It is nearly 100 years old, but the place was well kept and clean. Generous donations can be seen and ALL have the same surname as us! Supersitious they may be, but what is more important that they believe in their gods, and so do I.
^^^^^^
After the praying session, we have to rush back to attend a dinner function. Nice food there!!
^^^^^^
It was after I came back and read the news that there would be a lunar eclipse. Oh yea it can be seen in Malaysia at around 4 - 6am! My last one seen was the solar eclipse in around 1995/96 - the one that nearly created havoc in sch! Really looking forward to it!
^^^^^^
My alarm rang at 5. 40am and with blurry eyes and brain, I went out to seek for the moon. Eh…………….where is it? After a while of searching, i finally found it. It has become a small little dot with partial shadow before it goes into totality. I tried to take it with my little humble camera. Can you see the moon?
No?
Try again this time.
Sorry if you need to strain your eyes but very small right??Alas…. P took some in the UK. With his big and powerful camera, he took wonderful pictures that, mine is a shame!! haha
Anyway, at 7.28am, it was supposed to be the full eclipse. And when I was rushing down, I forgot that it is already morning with the sky clear blue!! the moon is missing!!! Argh, while my friends in UK are enjoying the full nice view of the red moon, I’m fuming that the moon is missing at its climax!
It has been a while since…
Posted on February 12th, 2007 by GracyBee.
Categories: General.
I do miss certain things in life.
It has been a while since I’m…
-able to take proper, efficient and clean(hmm) public transport freely AND safely
-able to see friendly and smiling faces on the road
-able to see pet owners and pets strolling on the streets and parks
-able to strike friendly conversations with strangers
-able to make spontaneous trips to the city and do proper shopping
-able to take walks alone on the clean streets
-able to see lush greenery that bring along fresh air and cool shade
-able to drink clean water fresh out from the tap
-able to have a moment of peace for myself
-able to shun away mosquitoes and insects creeping into your house
Some sacrifices have to be made sometimes to accommodate the new working life, but heck! Some of the above can be done without any sacrifices from me!
Snow!
Posted on February 9th, 2007 by GracyBee.
Categories: General.
Malaysia no snow la….but yesterday my friends have been telling me on msn: ‘Snow! Snow!’. Even in London where there is rarely snow during winter, it had nearly 2 inches snow on ground!
Winter can be very dreary at times but I enjoyed the freshness of the air (provided I’m bundled up warmly!) while walking on the streets. That can instantly bring the vigour in me.
Aiseh! What a pity because I have never experienced much snow in places I have been in my 7 years in UK. YES 7 YEARS! During winter,it would always be ultra heavy rain or very light snow that would melt either on ground or after 2 hrs later.
Snow on 28 Nov 2005.
It was in 2004 that it snowed rather heavily but the snow on ground has turned to ice and walking on it is no easy task!
Nonetheless, I do still enjoy the winter seasons in UK. Ahh…how i miss it!
Telephone Etiquettes
Posted on February 8th, 2007 by GracyBee.
Categories: General.
I don’t dare to say I have the perfect phone etiquettes, but I can say I have more or less the basic manners when I’m talking on the phone. And obviously depending whom I’m talking to, I executed different manners. For eg, when talking with friends, then we can speak like nobody’s business; when talking to someone you never know before, then it has to be different.
^^^^^^
All these while while at work or calling to companies in different countries, I have faced with different types of phone etiquettes all influenced by the different cultures. There are some who are nice and professional, while there are others sad to say are a bit out of the way.
There are particularly two types that can really pissed me off. Recently at work, I have encountered these. And it is really not a good experience I have to say.
^^^^^^
The 1st type: talking speed is faster than a machine gun
This is how the conversation goes.
Phone rings. I pick up the phone
Me: Hello, this is YYY.
She:IamcallingfromDcompanyweboughttvfromubeforebutudincome
collectchequesinceyourbossnoeABCsoipassedthemand ucollectfromherok?
Me: (??) hmm..I’m sorry where did you say you’re from?
She: Dcompany
Me: ehm.. you are from T company?
She: DCOMPANY!!
Me: ok…I’m sorry. Hmm.. how about this. Why not you give me your phone number I’ll tell my boss about it.
She: threefoursixsevenoneeightfour (in mandarin)
Me: three four six four one eight four
She: NO!!SEVENONEEIGHTFOUR la! Howcomeyouallalwayslistenwronglyone???
Me: Well, you are speaking so fast, my ear need my time to adjust. I’m sorry I will tell my boss what you have said, and if she don’t understand she will call you ok?
She: ok *phone down*
Well, I think it is the basic courtesy that if you are speaking to someone she/he don’t know much of the contents you are saying then you have to speak SLOWER and CLEARER.
The 2nd type: 1st time caller to you they expected you to know who they are
Phone rings. I pick the phone.
Me: Hello, this is YYY
X: Hello, I tell you ah, my tv very spoilt liao…ask someone to come and fix ok?
Me: Sure, no problem with that, can I have your particulars please so that I can arrange for an appointment?
X: no need la…your boss know me one…you tell him I called then he knows who I am already
Me: Well, at least can I have your name and telephone number?
X: I tell you NO NEED LA! OK AH….I WAIT FOR FOR THE TECHNICIAN BYE!
Me: ??!!
Well, please have the courtesy to state who you are and the address la. If you are a frequent caller and i personally know you then is fine la…But obviously when I don’t know then tell me la…. I can’t see you thru the phone and it wouldn’t kill you by telling your name right?
Happy New Year 2007!
Posted on January 13th, 2007 by GracyBee.
Categories: General.
OK.
I know I’m 13 days late but still, HAPPY NEW YEAR to all!! 
The first sparks of 2007
(nope, not from Bintang, but somewhere else~)
2007’s resolutions will be different from previous years. Previous years’ resolutions (if I’m bothered to do any) would be all about academical stuffs and all. This year have to be about my career and what I plan to do in Malaysia. Awawww…..
^^^^^^
Resolution #1: Improve on my Malay language
Since I don’t learn Malay during my school years, I bascially pick up my Malay language via listening and looking at Malay subtitles in TV series. Ok….those basic ones are enough to get me about and ‘cari makan’, but I still need to improve on it…HEY, I can’t read Malay! So, need to find time.
Resolution #2: Learn Cantonese
ahah……another language! (no diff from being academic resolutions huh!) I find out that Cantonese is kinda an ‘official’ language in KL. Ok….I can understand Cantonese…BUT I can’t really speak well. Let’s just say my current standard is kindergarden’s standard. *BLANK LOOK*. So I plan to listen to more Cantonese TV serials with subtitles. YEAH. Shouldn’t be difficult I hope.
Resolution #3: Driving
I have not drove any car for ages, despite getting a license. The lack of practice, lack of car and lack of knowledge of Malaysian roads don’t help at all! I really felt like a limbless person. AAAHHHhhh……..it is so inconvenient here and even to get the simplest thing done without a car can be such a big HASSLE.
My parents say they will get me practise the car asap….OK…….either they get too tired after work or they ain’t just got enough time. Not that I don’t appreciate their efforts, but sometimes I need to depend on myself to get things done. FAST.
So no matter what, I need to get driving. I want my ‘limbs’ back. 
Resolution #4: To get my future career path line up.
This has bugged me for quite a while now. My current line up is to take over my parents’ business. The business has went on for 2 generations, and so me the 3rd generation, it is kinda expect me to take over. I have 2 other plans too, and that would take me to other countries. Really a tug of war.
Yes, a career path is important but I remind myself that I do want a family in the future and wouldn’t like to have my career stalled this future plan too. So I need to plan up very careful plan..Cross fingers now!
Resolution #5: To build up network and make more friends
This can sound very weird, but since Malaysia is like a new country to me, this is the most basic thing I need to survive here. After all, I’m a human right? 
I do make some friends here and that is really a welcome break from my pretty dead usual routines I have currently.
^^^^^^
Ok…these are the 5 resolutions I have drawn up for 2007.
CROSS FINGERS!
Christmas Celebrations
Posted on January 13th, 2007 by GracyBee.
Categories: General.
I rarely has a chance to celebrate Christmas even when I was in the UK.
Christmas Eves was always the busy period for restaurants and my colleagues and I would be working round the clock and rushing like busy bees, and can get pretty tired. So 25th Dec for the last 7 years remained a day of rest from work and studies. Beside, ALL places will be closed on that day. Supermarkets, shops, shopping malls and even public transport are ALL closed. Yes, you guess it: it is literally a ghost town. So other than ‘bus 11′, you can’t go anywhere except to cook and eat with house mates. AH…lucky the tv programs are still broadcasting on Xmas, if not you sure can see me rotting on Xmas day! LOL
^^^^^^
2006 Christmas was different. Christmas Eve saw me and my family to go to my parents’ business friend’s house to celebrate. We had porridge steamboat with their family members and visit their dogs! The dogs are just so adorable; they never fail to remind me of my long deceased beloved Miki.
hmm….i forgot what is its name.
These two dogs I know are named Phoebe and Lucky, but I can’t differentiate the two of them! OOoooOOps…..They have the inkling and know that someone is trying to shoot pictures of them (ah, are you talking about me? *grins*) and so either they pose like a statue or they look away from the camera…Aiyah~
They just don’t want to look into the camera.
Christmas day itself, I went to my friend, P’s house. He just came back from UK for holidays. There I have known more friends, D, B and PY. Nice time there. Thanks P.