Frustra-directions no More

Finally, I got myself a GPS. I was rather frustrated over the last 2 weeks looking for places.

A friend of mine and I went to Pyramid last night to get it. He recommended me Garmin 205W as the screen is wider and shows the lanes and junctions in more detail. I have other friends recommending the same model too.

So, heck it and I bought it. I tested it out today. Phew, it was a pleasure driving to those places with guidance. But, there is one thing that kind of drives me up the wall is when I was advised with roundabouts, "exit at exit no. 5”……hmm……how the heck would I know it is the fifth until I am in there and when I’ve counted it, I might have just missed it! And I did, I missed the turning and I had to make another round around the roundabout.

I think I just have to get the hang of it. It is my first time encountering it, anyway!

At least now I won’t get lost or make many rounds in the area!

*Sigh of relieve*

From the Jungle to the City

I have been really busy off late….with work. I have been traveling a lot on the road, from jungle to the city – places where I have never been to and where I would never go to.

Very exciting. Very challenging.

Firstly was to the ‘jungle’ and some ‘san ka la’ places. Places which I doubt the GPS (and I don't own one at this point of time) can even help. Anyway, I managed to find it after making many rounds and asking the residents around.

[ I’ve never utilized so much of my reverse gear and practice my 3 point turns in my life so much ]

On another day’s outing, I went to the city. A place that I might just avoid if there is no business there. But, it was great to see be a ‘temporary tourist”. I saw the Clock Tower (reminds me of Back to the Future and also Police Story by Jackie Chan ages ago).

I am so NOT familiar with the roads in the heart of KL (as I normally has a chauffeur….hehehhe…just kidding). So, I didn’t know where to park my car nor didn’t know how far I have to walk for my appointments.

Anyways, I managed to get my way around and parked my car in Dayabumi. I went on foot from Jalan Tun Perak to Jalan Tun HS Lee to Jalan Hang Kasturi……Well, the weather was blurdy hot, didn’t know if it was good or bad for me. I was sweating like a piggy! (But I would prefer it to be hot than raining and getting all wet :P )

I walked passed Central Market and it brought me back to my good ol’ school days when we made a trip there to work on some school project….hahaha…those were the days.

I have been going home after 7pm lately too. By the time I am home, I am dead tired and eyes start to close at 10 ish pm…

Happy long weekend, everyone!

A Creamy, Rich Effect

You know what, a good-song-singing-session in the bathroom is always a great way to relax and to cool down. I love having long showers after a long day at work. I feel good thereafter.

Anyways….

I have been using Johnson & Johnson’s baby bath shower gel for many many years; since high school, I guess.

I went shopping yesterday with Mrs Giggs and saw this at the island display in Guardian. Seems pretty interesting, and it definitely smells good! I picked it up; thinking that since age is catching up on me (even though people say age is just a number); I gave it a try…..

Olay has launched a new product lately. Olay Total Effects now has shower cream, thanks to their new innovation; instead of the usual face skin care range. The Olay shower cream with body butter is a very rich product. I could feel it when I lathered up last night. Apparently, there are 7 anti-aging benefits in every wash.

-Improves dull skin to give it a youthful glow
-Fights the dryness from skin ageing
-Helps remove impurities from skin
-Conditions up to 24 hours
-Helps improve skin’s resilience
-Smoothes rough patches
-Helps eliminate dead skin cells

Wow, I feel really refreshed and my skin was supple and I was all ‘perfumed’ up after using it.

Give it a try now. It is priced at RM 19.90 for 532ml. It might be pricy, but if it is really anti aging, why not spend the money?

*It has 3 variants: Nourishing (for oily skin), Extra Nourishing (for normal skin) and Ultra Nourishing (for dry skin).

You could even smell the scent from outside!

Holy Rowdy

I don’t think I am feeling well right now. My head is heavy and am having headache. Must be the stress from this morning – trying to look for the places in Ampang.

I am totally not familiar with Ampang area. I spent a fair bit of my time in the car, made many rounds at the area. Of course, there were desperate measures where I called for help – more like for directions.

It was an uncomfortable day overall at Ampang today. I covered a few kampong areas which were filled with foreigners. Not ang mohs but Acheh and “other” races. One of the areas that I went to was rowdy. Yup, ROWDY is the word.

Anyway, thank goodness I hit on the right road home. Kesas was all jammed up, so I took DUKE home. The highway was smooth all the way.

I desperately wanted to be home; and I got home at 6.45pm.

Ciao.

The Beginning of the Long Awaited Weekend...always

Okay, I attempted to take a nap earlier on. But I only managed to doze off for awhile – like 30 minutes? So, I slapped on a DVD – A Perfect Getaway, into the player.

Lying on my bed, I could feel that my whole body is aching and the tiredness in me (after the long week). Plus, I just couldn’t sleep well last few days. I wonder why…….

I will be off for a BBQ dinner at a buddy’s house later. Hope the rain will stop soon…..and the weather will be just nice!! Cooling.

Okie, got to get ready as the night will soon be starting…

Save...what?

Quite true isn't it, in 'those' aspect?

The Envelope

A big envelope for the year!


It is an invite to a joyous event - 5th Fookie's wedding!

Can't wait for it to come!

Passion-ate

This was my first time tasting a true passion fruit. I normally have it in ice cream or juice form.

Sour but with an ‘exquisite’ taste.

I ate it up! Gone.

Ask and You shall be granted with...

And so, my adventure in the jungle continued today (and for the rest of the days to come).

Today’s adventure was a little more ‘dramatic’ as I had to make many pit stops around the ‘alien’ area to get directions. Let me recall, I stopped by a bank, a hardware shop, 7-11, police station and some other shops. Yup, I was really desperate and was fighting time, so I had to stop at the police station I saw by the road. :P

God gifted us mouth and voice. So if we need something or information, all we have to do is to ask, right? No need to be shy, don't be egoistic.

I managed to cover the targeted stores after making a few rounds and U-ie at that area. I also managed to rush back to meet up with my team and a visitor from Singapore for a scrumptious Japanese dinner at my favourite restaurant, Rakuzen. I just love the food there. One of the best dishes on the menu is the salad with crab sticks and flying fish roe. Super yummy!

Oklar, I better get going. Need to do some planning to reduce any time wasted tomorrow.

Good night!

Jungle Coverage

I am out into the jungle from today onwards.

A jungle which has assorted creatures and living being; there might be nice living beings, and there might also have weird and difficult- to- handle creatures.

I am feeling tired now.

Hair tied up with a scrunchy and clad in pants and a top, I spent quite a bit of time locating the places today. One after another. Luckily I could still recall some of the designated places (which I have been to before). For those that are totally alien to me, I had to call up my buddies to check and also desperate times, I parked my car and asked the shop owners nearby.

Rain or shine, I had to do it and I did it for the day. There will be more to come and to experience. I have to say I was really lucky in my previous working years as I was pampered with a comfortable desk and office to work at. I didn’t have to hunt for a location like a hawk nor walking up the door step of others to ‘practice my persuasion skills’.

But,

This is good experience and training ground. That is what I keep on telling myself for now. Once I have mastered it, I will be fine. I will be doing great. Just have to bear with it for some time and things will get better. I will be stronger to handle situations.

A little messy, a little down for now, but it will be better in the days to come.

I will be stronger in 2 months time! That’s the challenge I gave myself. I can't wait for myself to be a different person.

Ok, I better stop here and have a shower. I am all sticky and smelly. My eyes are closing too.

I need to start planning for my expedition again tomorrow.

Ciao!

Those were the days

I just saw a few photos of my-once-upon-glamour-days’ photos online @ CloveTwo.

Once upon a time….not too long ago…..

Source: http://clovetwo.com/pitstop/photogallery/gallerylist.asp?pixfder=113&page=1

This was taken 3 months ago....

The Remaining Days in the Year

Backdated entry to 12th Nov 09

I woke up feeling rather exhausted. Simply because of the late night last night and also I had a dream. I dreamt of 2 women. One who used to haunt me in my dreams for quite some time but she didn’t appear anymore until yesterday. And the other woman was someone who cares for me a lot.

I was feeling sleepy while driving to the assigned location. I reported my presence and hurried to the café downstairs for a cuppa my daily dosage. My energizer – Coffee. I had an hour to wait for my appointment, so I brought a copy of The Star along with my to the café.

There will be a lot of happenings this 2 months. It will be exciting and filled with joy and happiness as one of the long-awaited-event-of-the-year is happening next month. It is one of my best buddies – 5th Fookie’s wedding. We are now doing the necessary preparations and will be throwing her a hen’s night party tomorrow.

Soon Christmas will be here. Ahh….all the happy celebrations are on the way….

I need to have a good rest tonight because tomorrow will be crazy! Hahahaha….

Quote Quote

A hungry man is an angry man.

A sleepless woman is a furious woman.

So, don't mess with them.

The Night of Laughter after a Long Day

Back dated to 11th Nov 09 (I was really busy and tired for the past few days)

Yesterday’s field visit wasn’t as bad as the day before. I think I am getting the hang of it. Walking around and along the shop lots were just part of the training program to see the real retail world. From talking to the customer to getting hand’s dirty at the shelves were just a ritual and norm for the time being.

I drove to one of my buddies’ house yesterday evening after the field visit. He had an open house and I was invited along with a few other buddies. He served us with a cup of super aromatic local coffee and toast with melted SCS butter and kaya on it. Wow, the butter was melting and overflowed! Yummy!!!!!

That was appetizer. Later, we ordered pizza delivery. We tried the new pizza which have 3 kinds of cheese and super crunchy with cornflakes over it. It was ok ok only. Something new to try but we also ordered our regular flavour – Hawaiian Chicken.

The new pizza

We lepakked and chit chatted all the way from 6pm till 11pm. Long and interesting conversations we had. Laughter erupted in the air. I made a move whilst the rest stayed on as I needed to submit my daily report and was feeling a little tired from the day’s activities.

By the time I clicked ‘Send' for my reports, it was already 1am. I tucked myself on the comfi bed and soon dozed off to la la land………….

Feels....

…….like home again.

My day started off as early as 6am this morning. Woke up and got ready for the day. I reached the place which I was assigned to at 8.30am. I felt very uncomfortable when I was there. I felt like I was an alien. Waited till about 10am in the office and went out to the field again.

It wasn’t easy walking around for the whole day (from 11am till 5pm). Under the sun and (if) rain. I almost pengsan by noon time. Too used to being stationed in the office, I guess. Gosh, now I understand the true feeling of this job. The issues encountered and having problems solved to keep the client happy.

But, what doesn’t kill me makes me stronger, right?

I drove to my ‘second home’ in the evening before the traffic started to pile up. It was really nice to drive on the route to the destination and parking my car at the parking lot. I walked in and the first thing I did was to greet “Hi Julie” with a big smile. I walked along the corridor and shouted: “Did you miss me?” It was really really great to catch up with my ex-colleagues. I visited everyone in the office.

I walked to my table. I missed sitting on my chair. I sat on it. I looked around. The table was just as how I left it; except for a few more files on it.

I lepakked around and waited for Mamma Mia and Sexytary for dinner. It was great to catch up again (even though it was just a week). We chatted till around 10pm and left for home.

I am feeling really tired. Luckily I was well equipped with a good pair of newly bought walking shoes, pants and a light carrybag…..

Tomorrow will be another day of it….

Blink blink and the Weekend is Over...Just like That

Before this week began, I actually had an enjoyable weekend.

On Saturday morning, I had a day out shopping with my sisters. Later at night, the usual makan-makan groupie had our usual ritual. Dinner together and this time round, we had drinks after the scrumptious steamboat dinner (it was my request). The drinking session (was at different places) wasn’t yum char but alcoholic drinks a.k.a. Happy Juice.

I went home feeling tipsy and head was spinning a little. I hit the bed straight after my shower.

Sunday came.

I went to church with my parents. Had a solemn time there, did some thinking. Brought Pa and Ma to Puchong for a super yummy fish head noodles. I was happy that they enjoyed it very much.

I took a nap in the afternoon as I had to stay up late for the BIG game between the GIANTs. It was Chelsea vs MU.

By the time I got home after the game, it was closed to 2.30am. I couldn’t sleep after my shower, so I was online for awhile…err….actually till 3.30am I think….. =)

Today, another week had begun. I am amazed that I survived the first week at my new workplace. Hahahaha….. Anyway, today was another day of training and self-reading. Had a 1 to 1 meeting with my new mentor in the evening. It was great as we went through together what I have learnt last week.

Tomorrow I will be out in the field – to experience and get a taste of the real job.

From theory to practical.

I better hit the bed now or else I will be fishing tomorrow.

Good nite!

The Ride

......And I went on it!

My reaction!

The Eyes

Do you need this?

Broken

I broke this with my big fat ass…

Arrghhh!!!!!!

Meaningful to Me

I find this song very encouraging and inspiring (in life).

There is always hope and it is not the end of the world when something didn't turn out the way we wanted.

The Journey has Started

(An entry before I move on to my homework)

I am starting to do some minor reports even though I am on training. Just daily reports on my doings and learnings. I am starting to feel that I am back on having a ‘working life’.

I am starting to see the ‘fast moving’ retail world. It is really moving very fast and if we couldn’t catch up, we will lose out.

I went out with a retail representative today for market visit. It was great as I was exposed to more new stuff in the field. I’ve also witnessed how the reps and merchandisers really work in stores.

There will be more to come, more to stress about. But, it is a good challenge for me to test myself.

Test on what?

“Endurance”.

Stop right there!

Ok, as you know, I have birds phobia. But this was a silly act I did in Korea.

I suppose following from the back is safer than walking side by side with the giant!

Are you contented?

With a 10% discount?

Time to.....

be greedy!

The Beginning....

Was quite an intensive day today.

Had training in the morning till 1pm. We left for lunch and out for market visit thereafter. We observed and took notes.

We visited an outlet at Old Klang Road. To my utter surprise, the place is about 20% higher class than a normal wet market. It is known as a hypermarket with a section selling fish and poultry – just like a market.

What an eye opener!

We zoomed around town and at the end of the day, we were exhausted. Worn out.

There will be more to come!

This is what I call...

….fooling around.

911

911 is a very significant date to the Americans.

But to me, it was a coincidence.

Yup, I stayed there for a night.

Equatorial Hotel is quite a decent and convenient place to stay. The room is not exactly huge, but it is comfortable and nice. To me at least.

It is located at a quite accessible location. It is just within walking distance to Red Town.

If you haven’t stayed there before, you should try.

=)

Kimchi Time…..

It was a fine day.....

It was on our itinerary to enjoy a Kimchi-making session.

I was all excited about it because I got a chance to learn make the famous Korean dish.

Our tour guide explained to us as the expert is not English literate. She explained to us what sorts of ingredients were needed and the steps to stuff the Chinese cabbage and to wrap round it once completed.

Paid 101% attention

You need these..

The kimchi that we made will be donated to the orphanage and also the old folks home in the neighboring town, so, we made it with love.

In the process

Wah lah! Done!

So proud of it

I enjoyed it very much!

Look Beyond It

When you look at something properly and with an open mind, you tend to “see” more.

That was what I saw at Yongduam Rock (Dragon Head Rock) in Jeju Island. Instead of seeing 1 dragon head rock (a side view of a dragon head), I saw a frontal view of another dragon head too.

Can you see them like how I saw the 2 heads?

Look beyond…..in life...

To Fit In = Tailor Make

It was my second day today.

I was really down yesterday. I almost had a mental breakdown. I didn’t want to prolong the misery I was having in me. So, I changed my mindset and attitude when I woke up this morning. I put the sadness and depression behind me.

I walked into the lift with an open mind and my usual mood. It worked! I felt so much better today even though it was just still going through briefing and introduction to the new role. I met a few other people in the company and had lunch with them.

I am starting to adapt and walk down the path. It is not a smooth one, but I have to brace and brave through it.

Sometimes in life, if you really cannot change the situation or environment, it is time to tailor make yourself to fit in and adapt!

It will get better as the days go by….

Cheers!

I thought....

Thinking that I would have a great first day at the new workplace….

But instead…(felt as if the day was very long. Time passed extremely slow.)

……..I felt moody – maybe was because of the gloomy weather.

……..I was feeling down – maybe I still miss the old place.

…….maybe I just haven’t adapted myself yet.

……..maybe I am just PMS-ing.

A Simple Happy Moment

She saw it. She was waiting to indulge herself with it…..

She was so happy to see it.

Finally organised...

Finally….

…….I have my new set of cupboard assembled.

Now, I can transfer all my stuff and store them there. All organized and neat!

She Loves it Too...

It was the weekend. It was a cloudy, cozy day. She was sleeping in the hall.

Later, when the sun was out, she walked out. I didn’t hear the clinging sound of her chain for sometime, but instead, I saw this…..

Even Gabby loves sunbathing!

Ah.....so nice and warm...

What? I love the sun.... =)