Sunday 28 September 2008

Valedictorian man~!!!

On Monday, I was supposed to go to TBS for the Taylor's Valedictorian selection. Having my speech prepared with much effort and finally relieved to get it done with, finally the day has arrived. I was kind of nervous as I didn't know how many candidates I was up against. Screw it, I told myself. Just go for it. Get selected, good news. Not selected, life still goes on. So, leaving my house early to look for parking on a sunny, hot afternoon at SS15, I was rehearsing my speech over and over again even though I knew the contents inside out. Still couldn't shake the nervousness out of me. Damn.

After paying my graduation fees at the Accounts Department at TBS, I proceeded to K-Web at Level 6. I guess I was too excited because I was the first person to arrive. It was 1.30pm and the clock was ticking faster as usual. "Better rehearse fast and hopefully I am not the first person." As much as I wanted to be the first presenter, somehow I couldn't help wishing to be either 2nd or 3rd. Mental problem, I think. hehe.

Slowly, one, two and three other presenters arrived. I talked to one of the presenter, Adora. She was from Taylors School of Architecture. Kinda pleasant looking girl. Then, both of us resumed our practice. I was later told that I am the 3rd presenter. Good number. After my name was called, I walked in the room, stood in front of the panels and started my speech.

Less than 6 minutes later, I walked out, feeling relieved that I am still alive and kicking. Yeah man. Finally, it was over.

The following day, I got my result.

Dear Participants,

Thank you for your participation at the selection exercise held at TBS on Monday 2p.m. I only know too well that all of you put in a lot of work and effort. The distinguished panel of judges came to a unanimous decision as follows:

Ist Choice for valedictorian : Mr. Vincent Ho

Back-up for valedictorian: Ms Ung Wei Jenn

Congratulations to Vincent and Wei Jenn!


1st Choice Valedictorian man~!!!!!!

Damn glad that I managed to get selected for this very special occasion on the 12th of October 2008 at KLCC Convention Center, which is our Convocation. Yay. Although it is a good news for me, but the thought about speaking in front of possibly thousands of people sends chills down my spine. Then I was called to go back to TBS to review my speech and to further improve on it. Lots of work are waiting for me. With CFA studies coming along, I think I am going to be busy for the next couple of weeks. GOOD LUCK TO MYSELF~!!!

Friday 19 September 2008

BOO~!!! Zip Zop. . . dush busk. . .

Mr Cha Tong Keng No.1 called me yesterday to go lunch-ing at Taylors. Oh yeah, finally got my original transcript and can process my application already. After scanning the documents to Ms Stefanie, there was an auto reply saying that she won't be around till 23rd Sept. Cha Tou. Waited so long for the transcript and now she's on leave. Geram.

After finish our lunch-ing at Seaview, our beloved kopitiam beside TBS, and since Mr No.1 is not working, so we decided to lepak at pyramid. Looking around for Mr No.1 GPS software and surveying for Handphone, we decided," hey, since got nothing to do, let's go for a movie~!". Feeling excited, we went to TGV cinema. Pathology is showing already. Yay. Halloween looked terrifying and cool. Black water *ahem. . . after watching Rogue, I don't think I wanna watch anything to do with Croco, Sharks, or whatever animal horror movie*. So, think here think there, we decided to watch Halloween.

Anticipating for the worse, we went in. Well, one would know if the movie is nice or not by looking at the quality of the movie. This one is definitely similar to "Beneath Still Water". Oh, Crap. Not again~! FYI, Beneath Still Water is an international movie which sucked so bad that the reaction of the people in the movie was 10-15 seconds slower. Imagine someone being killed in front of a person, that person's scream can only be heard after 10 seconds. Wa lau ye. "Please la. Please don't be like Beneath Still Water~!", I told myself.

INCOMING SPOILER: After the first few scenes of mass murder, both of us shook our heads. "Don't tell me the whole movie is about this small boy killing all the people~!" Watching on, our worst nightmare came true. The whole duration of approx. 2 hours was about this guy, Michael Myers, turned into a Psychopath and started killing his Dad, Sis and his sis's bf. After being sent into Asylum, and you know what followed after that. . . Cutting off people's head, suffocating them, hitting their heads with baseball bat and etc were all we saw in the movie. Gory but cool. The way he plan to kill his Victims was awesome. haha.

RECOMMENDATION:
Please watch. . . . . ...... and you will regret wasting your RM11 in the cinema. . . .

Wednesday 17 September 2008

Uncle LIM . . . Gotcha ~!!!

Gosh, it must have been like ages or centuries since I last wrote on my blog. Apologies. I have been busy preparing for my CFA exam in which I have managed to finish 1 textbook until now. One down, 6 more to go with 2 and a half more months to go. Crap~!!! Sticking my butt on the study table everyday, trying to register all the information into my head, I still doubt that the dateline of covering all the CFA subjects by end of November will come true. * cheng cheng cheng* you think Anwar will manage to change hand by Sept 16? Well, the time will tell. =)

So, I have been telling my parents that Genting has cheap rooms during low season, which is now. Before the Hari Raya holidays arrive. They were very excited about it, especially my dad. For personal record, the last time he was at Genting was practically 10 or MORE years ago. It's because he has been busy working to support us *siblings*, especially our education. Thats why until today, he has not been able to enjoy the facilities that we enjoy freely. Thus, I was determined to make this trip happen to make my parents happy.

1st attempt: Was happy because I saw the RM38.80 room online but didn't managed to book it due to some circumstances.

2nd attempt: The room rate increased to RM 58.80 because the Rm38.80 room wasn't available anymore. Mum said okay but Dad was sleeping at that time. So, still can't book. CRAP~!!!

3rd attempt: The following day, I got hold of my Dad and Mum and suddenly, the price went up to RM78.80. EVER MORE CRAP~~~!!! Dad scolded " Got RM38.80 dun wan, Go up to RM78.80 only wan to go~!!!

4th attempt: Unsatisfied, I went online to search again. OMG, I saw the RM 38.80 room again. I have never happier ( clk, damn kau stingy~!!! haha). Immediately, I tried to key in the credit card no. and Dad's personal details. Walau, this stupid Hong Leong Bank asked this stupid Question~!! : What's the billing date of the credit card every month? **I was like: " What the hell they ask this info for?" Siao liao. Entered few times and the account was locked. Geram~~~!!! So have to call up the customer service to activate the no. **Dial. . . Connected. . . Waited 5 mins for the auto answering machine. . . Got through to the personnel. . . DAMN~!!! Only can activate the account after 7pm. That time mosquitoes also go home sleep lo. . . Thats okay, but after that, he tried to persuade my dad to take more loans~!!! WTF?@#*!!! Dahlah cannot activate the accounts, now wanna sell loans to my DAD. TU KAU LAN. haha. ** Dad said "Never mind la. Try other cards". Then, I used my Dad's Standard Chartered MasterCard. Straight away. Let me emphasize again. STRAIGHT AWAY, my online application is approved. NO stupid question like ," what's the billing date every month?". Way to go Standard Chartered, SUX HLB.

Tues, 16th Sept 2008 came. Excited, we began our journey to Genting. At first, I was thinking that we would take LRT and BUS and Cable Car. Phew, I was so relieved when my Dad told me that we would be driving up there. *** Upon reaching, I was surprised that I was immediately given the room keys, unlike the time when I went with my coursemates where we had to wait for 3-4 hours before we could check in. Was it the Standard Chartered's punya pasal ar? Dun care la. Got room can already. Got TOWER 1, kinda disappointed because the room in TOWER 2 is bigger. OH, shit. I must say that Men in Nice business suit has no Bloody Brain. The businessman (* or maybe dressing up, trying to look like one) held on to his new Blackberry model, scolded the usher who was clearly doing his job. WHY? Because he said Counter 2 & 3 were available " Ask the people in the queue to go there lah~!!!". Either he is sorhai or what, the word CASHIER is hanging right above the counter. Plain dumb fellow.

Then, I went walking around with my parents around the so-called Genting Shopping Complex. Got Hari Raya promotion. Good for my Mum la. hehe. Then, my Dad asked if there's cinema here. Yeah. Definitely. So, while my Mum was looking at some shoes at PADINI, we went to the cinema to see what movies were on. They had " Meet Dave *not my parent's type*, the luckiest man* also not my parent's favourite* and MONEY NOT ENOUGH 2* confirm my parent's taste because the movie is in HOKKIEN". Since my dear friends Shaun and Richard recommended a THUMBs UP for that movie, I proceeded to buy the tickets. So, we went back to our room to refreshen ourselves and get ready for the movie.

I SERIOUSLY must say " MONEY NOT ENOUGH 2 is definitely a MOVIE for every ASIAN. Looking at how bad the three sons, played by Jack Neo, Mark Lee, Henry Thia, were treating their old, stricken mother. Unable to fight the force of nature, their mother was diagnosed with Diabetes and Alzheimer. So, being a burden to all the three sons, they decided to take turns to take care of their mum. However, as things got worse, one placed her by the toilet after the wife started to kick up a fuss and another son placed her in the toilet for convenience since she couldn't control her urination. What's wrong with them~!!!! Then, I totally agree with one of the phrase in the movie " Maybe after all, Mother is just a name, not someone you should care about". EMo-ness. haha. Then, my Dad related his story to me during dinner. He said, " The movie reflected the reality that happen to your Grandma. After being sick and getting old, no one, again, NO ONE except my 5th Aunty, 4th Aunt and my Dad who contributed their effort in taking care of my AMMA. My 5th aunty, being a strong church leader in her church, offered her help to take care of AMMA while my 4th aunty and my Dad contributed financially to employ a maid to take care of AMMA. What did the rest of 6 more siblings do? NOTHING. damn sad when I heard this from my DAD. Another blow of Emo-ness. And some more, they got fed up after rushing to Penang, where my Grandma resided, a few times when my AMMA was admitted to ICU. Luckily, she survived the scare. After that, they told my 5th Aunty that " DON"T CALL ME UNLESS AMMA REALLY GIVES UP HER LAST BREATH!!!" Celaka punya sons and daughers. AMMA raised them so big but they treated her like that. KANASAI~!!! CIAK LIAO BI.

Sad sad. Then, we proceeded to CASINO DE GENTING. I was hoping that my lucky winning streak will continue because its either I break even or Make money. I brought my parents around the casino and they were only interesting in drinking COFFEE and NESCAFE because it is FREE~!!! hehe. Then, after a few rounds of analyzing the games, I decided to try new luck on " 3 PICTURES". Walau ye, bad luck man. Change RM50, in less than half an hour, lost already. Siao liao. While waiting for me, my Dad also changed RM100 to play. Well, I guess it was our night. Both of us lost to UNCLE LIM. Invicible UNCLE LIM who has defeated so many uncles and aunties. At last, my name was written in his list. CRAP~!!!!

Aih. Not wanting to think about it, we went back to our hotel room. Before that, we stopped by First World Casino to drink Coffee again. There were performances by some short but hot looking chicks. THen, I headed back to bed.

Next day, my Dad and I went for breakfast. Not much of a variety. My dad went back up to the room to bum around and read newspaper, while Mum went shopping again. SO, I decided to try my luck to BEAT UNCLE LIM again this time. Feeling refresh for another round of battle, I went back to the Casino. Unwillingly, I withdrew Rm50 to play. Luck wasnt't good because once I played, I lost till the remaining RM10. SHIT~!!!! Aih. Disappointed with my luck, I put down my last RM10. I was hoping, cursing, Jampi-ing that I could win this round. * in my heart " aiya, the banker is yawning already, sure no luck wan. Sui Sui bagi dia, Ong Ong Mali Mali"* True enough, I won that round. Slowly, I won back my RM50. Phew. What a close battle. So, what's next? Try to win back my another RM50 which I lost yesterday. Okay. I told myself " Play smart, analyze and win." I was talking to myself like I am a professional gambler. WTH. haha. Feeling lucky* actually I think the person I tumpang was the one who is lucky*, I increased my bet to RM20, previously only RM10. Im kinda risk averse person. Cannot lose so much in one go. If lose, must slowly slowly lose. haha. Get the Max satisfaction out of it. haha. Without realizing it, I managed to Win back my other RM50. haha. YEah man. Im out of here. haha.I beat you Uncle LIm.haha. Walking out of the casino immediately after I cash out the chips, I felt like I was walking with an AURa. GILA already. haha. Anyway, I did enjoy myself even though I just break even.

Jumping for joy, I went back to look for my mum and dad. After that, we just checked out and went back home. And here I am writing a post about how happy I was, being able to win back my RM50. haha.

Here are some photos which I took in Genting:




**Lovely couple.



** Statue of Liberty towering above US. . .




**Eh, what's my Dad doing under the table? Line is bad, I think. =)




** Celaka. When we were going downhill, then only the weather got better. Ish.

Wednesday 3 September 2008

Until Death do us apart.

I believe that love and marriage are meant to be pure, self-sacrificial and magical. Perhaps in the haste of chasing after material substances in the world, i.e being greed-overwhelmed, chasing after new love after sparks have subdued, we have forgotten how precious and important a well, perfectly bonded marriage is these days. I came across this story which I hope will be a lesson to everyone in their search of true happiness.

" When I got home that night as my wife served dinner, I held her hand and said, I've got something
to tell you. She sat down and ate quietly. Again I observed the hurt in her eyes.

Suddenly I didn't know how to open my mouth. But I had to let her know what I was thinking. I want a divorce. I raised the topic calmly. She didn't seem to be annoyed by my words, instead she asked me softly, why? I avoided her question. This made her angry. She threw away the chopsticks and shouted at me, you are not a man!

That night, we didn't talk to each other. She was weeping. I knew she wanted to find out what had happened to our marriage. But I could hardly give her a satisfactory answer; I had lost my heart to a lovely girl called Dew. I didn't love her anymore. I just pitied her!

With a deep sense of guilt, I drafted a divorce agreement which stated that she could own our house, 30% shares of my company and the car. She glanced at it and then tore it into pieces. The woman who had spent ten years of her life with me had become a stranger. I felt sorry for her wasted time, resources and energy but I could not take back what I had said for I loved Dew so dearly.

Finally she cried loudly in front of me, which was what I had expected to see. To me her cry was actually a kind of release. The idea of divorce which had obsessed me for several weeks seemed to be firmer and clearer now.

The next day, I came back home very late and found her writing something at the table. I didn't have supper but went straight to sleep and fell asleep very fast because I was tired after an eventful day with Dew. When I woke up, she was still there at the table writing. I just did not care so I turned over and was asleep again.

In the morning she presented her divorce conditions: she didn't want anything from me, but needed a month's notice before the divorce.

She requested that in that one month we both struggle to live as normal a life as possible. Her reasons were simple: our son had his exams in a month s time and she didn't want to disrupt him with our broken marriage.

This was agreeable to me. But she had something more, she asked me to
recall how I had carried her into out bridal room on our wedding day. She requested that everyday for the month's duration I carry her out of our bedroom to the front door ever morning. I thought she was going crazy.

Just to make our last days together bearable I accepted her odd request.

I told Dew about my wife s divorce conditions. She laughed loudly and thought it was absurd. No matter what tricks she applies, she has to face the divorce, she said scornfully. My wife and I hadn't had any body contact since my divorce intention was explicitly expressed. So when I carried her out on the first day, we both appeared clumsy. Our son clapped behind us, daddy is holding mummy in his arms. His words brought me a sense of pain.

From the bedroom to the sitting room, then to the door, I walked over ten meters with her in my arms. She closed her eyes and said softly; don't tell our son about the divorce. I nodded, feeling somewhat upset.

I put her down outside the door. She went to wait for the bus to work. I drove alone to the office.

On the second day, both of us acted much more easily. She leaned on my chest. I could smell the fragrance of her blouse. I realized that I hadn't looked at this woman carefully for a long time. I realized she was not young any more. There were fine wrinkles on her face, her hair was graying! Our marriage had taken its toll on her. For a minute I wondered what I had done to her.

On the fourth day, when I lifted her up, I felt a sense of intimacy returning. This was the woman who had given ten years of her life to me. On the fifth and sixth day, I realized that our sense of intimacy was growing again. I didn't tell Dew about this. It became easier to carry her as the month slipped by. Perhaps the everyday workout made me stronger.

She was choosing what to wear one morning. She tried on quite a few dresses but could not find a suitable one. Then she sighed, all my dresses have grown bigger. I suddenly realized that she had grown so thin, that was the reason why I could carry her more easily. Suddenly it hit me; she had buried so much pain and bitterness in her heart.

Subconsciously I reached out and touched her head. Our son came in at the moment and said, Dad, it's time to carry mum out. To him, seeing his father carrying his mother out had become an essential part of his life. My wife gestured to our son to come closer and hugged him tightly. I turned my face away because I was afraid I might change my mind at this last minute. I then held her in my arms, walking from the bedroom, through the sitting room, to the hallway. Her hand surrounded my neck softly and naturally. I held her body tightly; it was just like our wedding day.

But her much lighter weight made me sad. On the last day, when I held her in my arms I could hardly move a step. Our son had gone to school. I held her tightly and said, I hadn't noticed that our life lacked intimacy. I drove to office, jumped out of the car swiftly without locking the door. I was afraid any delay would make me change my mind. I walked upstairs. Dew opened the door and I said to her, Sorry, Dew, I do not want the divorce anymore. She looked at me, astonished.

Then touched my forehead. Do you have a fever? She said. I moved her hand off my head. Sorry, Dew, I said, I won't divorce. My marriage life was boring probably because she and I didn't value the details of our lives, not because we didn't love each other any more. Now I realize that since I carried her into my home on our wedding day I am supposed to hold her until death does us apart.

Dew seemed to suddenly wake up. She gave me a loud slap and then slammed the door and burst into tears. I walked downstairs and drove away. At the floral shop on the way, I ordered a bouquet of flowers for my wife. The salesgirl asked me what to write on the card. I smiled and wrote:

'I'll carry you out every morning until death do us apart'.

The small details of our lives are what really matter in a relationship. It is not the mansion, the car, the property, the bank balance that matters.. These create an environment conducive for happiness but cannot give happiness in themselves. So find time to be your spouse's friend and do those little things for each other that build intimacy. Do have a real happy marriage!