Friday, September 28, 2007

EXPRESS LANE: 8 ITEMS OR BELOW

Express Lanes for 8 items and below - we see these signboards everyday at shopping malls and supermarkets. We all should clearly and explicitly understand that the lanes are for customers with 8 items and below. The signboards and sentences also have been translated carefully to Malay, Indian, and Chinese languages. So, whats the issue here?

Well, I noticed that many of the customers and buyers dont even care! Either they dont understand, cant read, dont have the patience, or simply dont bother at all. Is this what daily customers and buyers show to others? Is there no courtesy or no manners being held here? I see customers with trolleys full of goods lining up at the express lanes and customers holding a basket full of goods also at the express lanes. All of them have 10 items and above. What about those customers and buyers that simply came to buy a drink or buy few items? They have to wait for a long time just to buy those few items. This is such a disgrace to see how the everyday consumers and buyers are simply ignoring signboards and do what they think is best and fastest for them.

Oh well, nothing much can be done as no one seem to take necessary actions. So be it then. They dont seem to learn. Is this what we all have to face everyday? Time can only tell.
Enough said for now.

Monday, September 24, 2007

SYAFIQUE: THE DEBUT

A few days after meeting the gang at Mandarin Oriental, I kept in contact with two friends. Both said I looked so thin. One was asking whether I have been miserable.

Can one's outer appearance reflects the inner soul?

It's true I have gone through a lot these past few weeks, but not to the point of losing so much weight. I thought I just looked the same. It must be the fasting month that has led me to lose some weight. It feels great to rekindle the friendship and to meet familiar faces again and to give each other warm hugs. It was the first time meeting them since the exam period. They looked stunning in their prom dresses.

What matters now is the gang and I will buka puasa together, hopefully, this week. I glad I met them at the hotel. Can't wait to meet the gang again!

***

Ken must be upset that my post is kinda short, so, part 2:

Before meeting the gang at Mandarin Oriental, we Buka Puasa at Little Penang Cafe. We ordered Nasi Lemak Penang. We were expecting spicy sambal, crunchy peanuts and chicken.

Guess what we got?

No peanuts, no chicken and very, very little sambal. Oh yeah, we had to eat Nasi Lemak with fish (and I am definitely NOT a fan of fish!!). We asked the waiter but he said that Nasi Lemak Penang is served with fish, not chicken. Nasi Lemak Chicken is definitely served with Chicken (just like what its name suggests!!!).

Argh, next time must read the menu carefully.

Nevertheless, the nasi lemak was still GREAT!

MONASH PROM 2007

Recently, I visited the Monash Prom at Mandarin Oriental Hotel next to KLCC with a friend of mine (Syaf). We were hanging around at KLCC for buka puasa at 7.15pm. Then he decided to meet up with the Monash Communications gang during the Monash Prom. I went inside the grandball room and it was very nicely decorated. There were live bands, performances, old trendy cars on display, and white smoke to spice up the atmosphere. There were also about 75 tables according to the table numbers, so it was quite huge.

After a few SMS, we finally met up outside the grandball room lobbying area. It was the 4 Monash girls that were so excited and happy to meet up with him. They all wore so nice and looked very impressive. It was very nice to finally meet up with them after quite a long time already. We all shall meet up soon over lunch or some activities.

Thats all for now. Take care and ciao.

Saturday, September 22, 2007

SHOULD WE GIVE $ WHEN CHARITY PERSON COMES

In many places such as shopping malls, restaurants, or cafes, there are many times when a charity person will come to you and start talking about charity topics. We, the public, what do we do? Usually, first impression and action will be "No, thanks" and the person will walk away. Sometimes, it will be "No, thanks" but the person still talks and show you photos and speeches, etc.

Now, charity simply means volunteering or willing. Theres no obligation at all to give money to charity. There was once when I was approached by a charity person in 1 Utama. He said to give "minimum" of RM30 to aid and help in some charity organization. The person continues talking and eventually saying "You can afford McD and not charity?", then walks away. In this example, it seems that the charity person is in need of money badly. A minimum of RM30? What! The person should be happy if RM10 is given but instead, asking for RM30 as a minimum payment? Is this charity? Its like ripping the public off.

Another case happened few hours ago when I was in Starbucks. A lady came and started to talk about some charity organization and said a minimum of RM10 is enough to cover up. Eventually, her charity is based on the Charity Run to be held in October 2007. She started to show photos and speeches made by several people. I started to question her - is the government helping on this? She said yes and contributed 20%. I asked 20% only? How much is that? She replied dont know. Then eventually I asked: Dont you think the government and other private/public figure companies should be asked instead of the public. The public plays a very minor role in this as we all can see. Why? The public does not earn the trust of where the money goes to. The money may not fall in the correct body of organizations. Well, the lady kept silent for a while, I said I will consider, then she walks away. The surprising thing is that she only came to Starbucks. What about Kopitiam or Pizza hut or KFC next doors? She didnt even bother to go to other places and only aiming for Starbucks. What does this tell me? She is only aiming for high-end customers and not the normal public. Is this the meaning of charity?

If you are going to do charity, dont be bias. Do it properly. Dont force it. Thats all I can say. Feel free to comment.

Friday, September 14, 2007

BREAKING NEWS - READ ALL ABOUT IT

I was still working last night at around 12am until I got a SMS from my friend. It stated "My car WIPERS are stolen". As I am still working, I am not supposed to make outgoing calls, but however this seems to be a serious case. I called my friend up using office phone and we talked.

The first topic we covered on was SECURITY. As this is his first job in 8TV, we thought that parking at 1Utama is safe. The car was parked at 3rd floor. Since I am a regular to 1Utama, and the time during the incident was 12am, I know the access ways to the 3rd floor parking. The people coming from inside will be those that just finished watching movies from GSC, and people coming from outside will be through the entrance door at the new wing.

The second topic we covered on was JOB. I believed that my friend will be shocked on the tragedy on the car. We believed that it could be a warning sign on the car. First strike is stealing the wipers. Whats next? It could be scratches on the sides, tyres gone, or break-ins. This is simply humiliating to this country. How much does a wiper cost? I checked its around RM25 to RM50. Why would someone want to steal car wipers? This is just BAD!!! These people causing problems should be punished without mercy. Now my friend is considering on other jobs already as first concern is SECURITY for himself and of course, the car.

The third topic we covered on was NEXT JOB. As this bring a negative impact, we were discussing on other possible new jobs. Now I just got an updated SMS saying that he cant leave. No contract has been signed, meaning no obligations, no bonds, and no agreements at all yet. So, why cant he leave? Afterall, one of the company's concern will be on the employee's security and well-being. The company must try to give full support on this issue.

Just got updated news that my friend finally "QUIT" from the company. Well, its for the good of both parties.
These people giving problems and havocs must be punished without mercy. Enough said.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

CHEATING AT TOLL PLAZA

You, as the reader, will ask how it is possible to "cheat" at a toll plaza. Well, I just experienced it just now at the LDP toll plaza.

I was arriving at the TnG booth slowly and noticed an orange Proton Gen2 behind me. Before I scrolled down the window, I noticed that he stopped very near to my car, and started to wonder why he is doing so. I ignored and touched the TnG card to the machine. The blocker raises up and I started to leave. Then I noticed that the Gen2 sped fast through the blocker and managed to escape being hit on the car and eventually escaped having to pay RM1.60. The alarm even sounded!!! The Gen2 car plate number is WNL 8045. The driver is a damn bloody Chinese.

Why would anyone want to escape having to pay a small toll fee of RM1.60? It is just pure stupidity of that person. From now on, once the blocker raises up, I will leave off slowly and make the blocker hit on the car if the driver behind manages to escape again. This act needs to be stopped immediately or else it will spread to younger drivers especially college drivers who think it is fun to do. Is this what we show on the roads?

Enough said.

Saturday, September 8, 2007

MALAYSIA BUDGET 2008

The Budget 2008 seems to be the main headline for this country. Well, lets hope everything goes well and the money is put to good use and not to the wrong hands of the public, ministers, and miscellaneous parties. Thinking of the Budget 2008, how come the 2007 projects are either not completed or not initiated yet. Oh well, to read more on the Budget 2008 - click here.

Cheers.

Friday, September 7, 2007

CONGRATULATIONS TO MY GOOD FRIEND

This post will be fully dedicated to the GRADUATION of my only friend since I came back to Malaysia in late 2005. I have known this friend for a full 10 years already. To know more of my friend, click here.

Let me give a brief description of how we met and how we managed to meet and ended up in Malaysia. His name is Syafique Shuib. Both of us went to the same school in Guangzhou, China. I was in grade 9 while he was grade 7 during those times. We had similar classes together and we usually hang around together with his eldest brother who was also in the same grade as me. We were staying in Guangzhou for more than 5 years and after high school graduation, he ended up in Malaysia and I went to Australia for further studies. After Australia for 3 years, I also ended up in Malaysia. After a few msn chats, we managed to meet up in KL until today.

Time passes very fast and now, it is his turn to graduate!!! He has been studying in Monash University, Sunway doing a degree in Bachelor of Arts. The 8th of September 2007 will be his graduation in Sunway Pyramid Hotel. CONGRATULATIONS!!!



Last but not least, he is now working in 8TV just next to 1-Utama. Keep up the good pace and we shall meet soon.