Lottery

I always tell people, “I will xxxxxx, if I strike lottery.” For example:
“I will quite my job and be a SAHM if I strike lottery.”
“I will bring my mum and MIL to spa if I strike lottery.”
“I will get a maid if I strike lottery.”
Etc

For people who don’t know me well, may think that I always buy lottery. Well, I only buy 1 ticket during Chinese New Year. My friend always tells me, “If ChoySanYe (god of prosperity) wants to give you fortune, if you don’t even open your door how can he give you har?” So, I took her advice and buy once a year. I have never striked one.

Last week, DH told me that TOTO has accumulated the prize to 15 million. So, I have decided to try my luck. So embarrassing, I did not know how to buy! I went to the shop and gave the lady my 6 numbers. DH told me is from 1 to 49. So, one of the number I have chosen was 45.

I didn’t know what is that thing called, so I thought if the prize can be accumulated, must be called something like a ‘Jackpot’, so I told the lady I wanted RM1 of the Jackpot.

She said, “45 cannot. Maximum is 42, I change that to 42 ok?”
I blurred, blurred and said OK.

But then, before I walked out, I thought DH couldn’t be wrong. So I turned back:
“Miss ah, I thought the numbers are from 1 to 49 why 45 cannot?”
She then became defensive, “You told me you wanted to buy Jackpot. Jackpot is 1 to 42. If you want the one 1 to 49 it is called ‘Super’”.

Oops, so embarrassing. So I spent another 1 dollar bought the ‘Super’ ticket… well, of course I didn’t strike the lottery, but the most stupid thing I did was…

ACTUALLY THE CUMULATED POT HAS ALREADY BEEN WON IN PREVIOUS ROUND. So stupid of me! :p

Quality of Local Graduates

In today’s newspaper, there is a discussion about quality of the local university graduates. I am also locally educated but I don’t think I fit into the described typical local grads. However, I have to agree to the article.

I have worked with some postgraduates and undergraduates (internship), from local and overseas universities. Comparing the two, as well as my friends who are locally vs overseas graduated, I do find different qualities in them. I am not saying ALL local grads are like this, and ALL overseas grads are like that, but most of them are… unfortunately.

Overseas grads are generally more independent and have pleasant personality. I don’t have to tell them how to do a task. I just tell them what output I want from them, what are the objectives, and then I give them some leads. They generally can perform the task well - independently.

However, local grads usually need a lot more guidance. Sometimes it is even to the extent of handholding or spoon-feeding. Very often I have the feeling of “sigh, why don’t I do the task myself, it may save me more time and effort…”

Some of my locally graduated friends are exactly what is described in the article:

• They don’t have good personality (rude, snobbish, selfish…)
• They can’t express themselves fully in an interview, even with their friends
• They have no working experience (I don’t count those part-time or 1-2 month job as experience).

But yet, they demand high salary. Some of these friends have not been able to get a permanent job until now (nearly 8 years after graduated), and they still dare to demand high salary! These are their complaints:

“You all already earning so much. I should not be paid less than 4k, this is discrimination!”
Well, you have never got experience in any permanent job, how can you demand that.

“This job is too difficult, have to work on Saturday…”
“They are giving me a ridiculous sales quota.”
“The office location is very jam.”
“That person is terrible lah, I think I can be his boss, how can I report to him?!”
Hello! Who do you think you are?

In my opinion, Malaysia’s education system uses too much of spoon-feeding. Even the solution suggested by the article is also very much spoon-feeding method, i.e. all undergraduates must go through a ‘job interview course’ before their graduation.

I don’t think all the good quality postgraduates, local or overseas, have all attended such course.

I Can Use WiFi!!

Aiyoh, dunno which Kampong I come from! I have been using this new company-notebook since Jan this year (HP Compaq nc4010), and until early this week only I discovered that it has WiFi device! It took me a few days to figure it out, installed the driver and tested it out!

While trying to install the WiFi driver and get it setup, I discovered how to activate the bluetooth too. Actually, I knew it comes with built-in bluetooth, but I never knew how to activate it. Our IT support said, “Press that button! Press that button!” But I was still blurred, not knowing what button he was referring too. I always thought that button is for microphone because the symbol really looks like a microphone! (at this point, my colleague shouted me Jakun (no offence har), I have to admit that lah! :p).

Actually, ever since I started using this model, I have been trying to hot sync it with my Palm Zire 72 – but never successful (always rely on cable), and I always thought my notebook’s bluetooth device is faulty. :p

Now, I can use wireless broadband already. Very excited, though I haven’t got any chance to really try out. Have checked out TMNet’s Hotspot. I thought Streamyx users’ rate is cheaper, but the savings is just insignificant. AirZed seem to have better coverage… But anyway, I better check which ones are supported by our IT department first…

Dear bloggers, if you are a user on wireless broadband, can give some recommendations? :)

Sembunyi SPA

Last Christmas, my department held a Christmas party with the theme ‘Tropical Christmas’. As usual, everyone was expected to dress up according to the theme, and there were penalties given to the worst dressed guy – turkey awards. I was too afraid to receive that ‘turkey awards’, so I rented a frutti-trutti hat. And… dadadada! I won the best dress, unexpectedly.

The prize was a Surf and Turf Spa Package at the Sembunyi Spa, Cyberview Lodge Resort and Spa. The gift voucher can only be used during weekdays, exclude public holidays.

Ever since given birth to Ian, I have to work and take care of him, how to go leh? So, delayed, delayed and delayed. Last Sat night when I was cleaning the house, I saw the voucher… Alamak, 10 June is the expiry date. So, have decided to take a day off and enjoy myself yesterday (Wed).

Because it was a weekday, I occupied the whole spa by myself. I soaked in the hot Jacuzzi, immersed in the cold pool, went in to the steam room… but quite boring because I was alone!

Then, the treatment started. It was a private room… Nicely scented. In the room, there was a window, bed, a warm bath…
All started with a traditional Balinese whole body massage. Oohhh… so comfortable that it made me dozed off. The long and soothing strokes, very calming.

Then, followed by scrub. It was sea salt with essential oil and cooling gel. It was meant for detoxifying and cleansing. I felt that my skin is really cleaned after that, from neck to toes (head not included lah!). I dozed off again.

After the scrub, I was wrapped in rich black mud in a warm blanket. It was hot, I was supposed to sweat inside, so I just sweat… and dozed off. (See how calming and soothing the whole thing is, I just keep sleeping – lazy bone mah! Hehehe!)

And finally, I was woke up, and asked to enjoy the Ocean’s Away bath, which is purifying salt and algae bath. Actually this is the smelliest part of the whole package. All the other parts come with nice aroma, but this one really smelled fishy. I was advised to soak in it for 20 minutes (hey, just the bath costs RM60!). But it was just so uncomfortable, imagine I soaked inside the bath with the mud wrap in my body! So, I only managed it for 5 min, then quickly shampooed myself and left the room.

After the spa session, wow, I really felt myself very clean, smoothed, and coated with very nice fragrance – luckily the last part’s smell doesn’t stick on me. The nice feeling and fragrant lingered for another 6 hour or so. Oohhhhh… I now understand how nice is a spa and I wish I could pay for my mom and MIL to join me. :)

Oh, BTW, the package was RM322. Now it is 295++. How generous my department is! But how can I afford for 3 persons leh? Think first har…

If I Could Be

Aiyoh, on a bad Sunday like this, I checked out DoubleHappiness blog and saw this assignment for me! I don't like to delay stuff, so decided to finish this assignment first before blogging about bad Sunday...

What follows is a list of different occupations. The reader must select at least 5 of them. The reader may add more if they like to the list before they pass it on (after the reader select five of the items as it was passed to the reader). Of the five selected, the reader is to finish each phrase with what he would do as a member of that profession. Then pass it on to three other bloggers.

Here's that list: (My selections are in bold - don't expect me to be creative coz I am lazybone, ok? Hehehe!)
If [Reader] could be a scientist // If [Reader] could be a farmer
If [Reader] could be a musician // If [Reader] could be a doctor
If [Reader] could be a painter // If [Reader] could be a gardener
If [Reader] could be a missionary // If [Reader] could be a chef
If [Reader] could be an architect // If [Reader] could be a linguist
If [Reader] could be a psychologist // If [Reader] could be a librarian
If [Reader] could be an athlete // If [Reader] could be a lawyer
If [Reader] could be an innkeeper // If [Reader] could be a professor
If [Reader] could be a writer // If [Reader] could be a backup dancer
If [Reader] could be a llama-rider // If [Reader] could be a bonnie pirate
If [Reader] could be a midget stripper // If [Reader] could be a proctologist
If [Reader] could be a TV-Chat Show host // If [Reader] could be a pariah
If [Reader] could be an actor // If [Reader] could be a judge
If [Reader] could be a Jedi // If [Reader] could be a mob boss
If [Reader] could be a backup singer // If [Reader] could be a CEO
If [Reader] could be a movie reviewer // If [Reader] could be a monkey's uncle
If [Reader] could be a bible archaeologist //If [Reader] could be a househusband
If [Reader] could be a lifeguard //If [Reader] could be a comic artist
If [Reader] could be a stockbroker//If [Reader] could be a travel writer
If [Reader] could be a food reviewer //If [Reader] could be a politician
If [Reader] could be a male underwear model //If [Reader] could be a fashion designer
If [Reader] could be an game designer // If [Reader] could be a dog-trainer

If Lazybone could be a scientist, she would have invented a walk-a-air-cond (so Ian will not have to sweat so much when outdoor).
If Lazybone could be a farmer, she would not have killed so many plants nor forgot to water them.
If Lazybone could be a doctor, she would have cooled her husband down when Ian is only sneezing.
If Lazybone could be a chef, Ian would not have to eat such lousy food every weekend.
If Lazybone could be a stockbroker, she would be broke.

Now, pass this on to: Jason Mumbles, Msau and Mr. Kiasu! Sorry har...

Kota Kinabalu Trip

In KK, in between Shannon’s baptize ceremony and the dinner party, we went to the Monsopiad Cultural Village. We paid RM30 per person, 6 of us (excl Ian). It was claimed that if you have been to KK without visiting this MCV, you are considered not been to KK (so exaggerating).

It was said that the village is the only cultural village at the real headhunter tribe’s original place, and what is exhibited is the real/original things, with some maintenance/renovation (of course). The greatest attraction here is the House of Skulls, which displays the real human skulls hunted by the famous warrior Monsopiad himself. The cultural village is named after this warrior/headhunter. I can’t remember how many skulls, but it is in the region of c 24.

Unfortunately my entrance fee is not worth paying, because I could not join the guided tour as Ian started to get fussy and made so much noise disturbing other tourists. When we were at the House of Skulls, Ian cried so badly and refused to be carried in his sarong sling. Because of him moving so much, I found it so hard to carry him I believed he needed his fix. So, I only had a glance of the skulls with my 眼尾 (end of eye) quickly left and park myself at the registration office to bf him. Right after his fix, he immediately backed to his alert stage (thank God!).

We then joined back the group at the cultural dance center. I thought it was funny; the leader of the dance group (4 of them) has to make a funny noise “Yee----- Yak”, “Yee---- Yak”, all the way. After the dance, Ian was able to pick it up “Yee---- Yak”! :D
We were also invited to go up and dance with them twice. All the 7 of us including Ian (DH hold him) did. The last dance – bamboo dance, is something I used to play in school, the rhythm got faster and faster, until all of us got kepit by the bamboo! It was so fun! :)

Sunday early morning, I brought Ian to the pool before DH’s friend picked us at 10am. I have always wanted to bring him to the pool, so must grab this opportunity. He was initially very scared in the water, but later when he saw other older boys swimming, he slowly enjoyed it too.

At 10am, we went over to the Sunday market, followed by the Philippino market. Nothing much to see, only hot HOT HHOOTTT! Ian was soon soaked with sweat, and they have to drop Ian and me back to hotel first because he was getting tired and fussy.

And this Ian ah, he really spoiled our plan lah. I thought if he could sleep at 1pm, and wake up at 3pm, we could at least spend an hour at the harbour there, enjoying the nice scenery and waterfront. Unfortunately he was so alert and happy when we were back to our room. He crawl here crawl there on the bed. Instead of him falling to sleep, I was the one. At around 2pm, he came and woke me up “Emm, emm’. OMG, he wanted to poo. Too late liao before I could grab the potter. He already poo a little in the diaper, but refused to make more. So, fed him some lunch, and this time he was able to sleep, but that was already 2:30pm. At 3:45pm, we had no choice but to wake him up (check out at 4pm). We just had a quick GLANCE at the harbour only, less than 5 min, and had to leave the hotel, some more it started raining right at 4pm.

With children ah, you cannot plan anything one lah!
So, the whole trip, 48% in the hotel ROOM, 30% in DH’s friend’s house, 10% at the MCV, 10% under the sun (markets), and 2% in the pool. Not bad, but if we can spend some time at the waterfront/harbour that would make my days. So greedy huh?!

The 21st century version of health

Received this from a 'snack mail', think it is good...

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Q: I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this true?
A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it... don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a lamb eat? Leaves and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a kebab is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system.
Need grain? Eat chicken.

Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain. Bottoms up!

Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have a body and you have body fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain...Good

Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU'RE NOT LISTENING!!!. Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?

Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
A: Are you crazy? HELLO ? Cocoa beans ... another vegetable!!! It's the best feel-good food around!

Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.

Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?
A: Hey! 'Round' is a shape!