Mind your own language

Sitting here alone in my office, listening to my colleagues talking…suddenly a thought popped into my head.

Through their conversation, I unconsciously picked up some discreet hidden agenda. The more I listen to it, the more prominent these hidden agenda stare right back at me.

I am sure it is not intentionally made. Perhaps they just think this is really funny and all, but somehow, I find it rather insensitive rather than funny.

So what do you think I’ve picked up indirectly?

Language.

Truth to be told, most of my colleagues hailed from Chinese education background. Except yours truly. And someone else.

Recently, I’ve heard quite a lot of remarks and jokes aimed at the “somebody” over his language handicap. How they made fun of him and how he might screw up due to improper usage of Chinese words that may be interpreted wrongly and offend potential customers.

Thing is, “somebody” will be going to a place filled with Chinese community and our colleagues here were making jokes over his handicap.

I’m sure they find it funny and harmless. Perhaps, it really is harmless.

But why do I feel so ill at ease?

Personally, I don’t agree with them. I mean, yes I understand that Chinese language is very important today and it is more and more in demand. However, that doesn’t mean English is not EQUALLY important right?

What I don’t understand is how people can go on and on and on.. campaigning on the importance of Chinese language, yet they overlooked/ignored English Language.

Why is it that some people looked down on “banana” people (people that don’t read their own mother tongue) and think that we’ve missed the world?

On the other hand, we have never looked down on people that can’t string a proper English sentence. Have I looked down on people like them?

No I haven’t!

I have not laughed at them or belittled them at all. I certainly don’t think they’ve missed the world!!??

So why is it that you can only master ONE Chinese language and we can’t master only ONE English language?

Just because English is not the language our forefathers speak?

Oh come on!

Grow up please!!!!

FYI: I have the utmost respect for people that can speak both language fluently. I have many such friends and I am proud of them for not belittling either one party that speak only one language fluently.

Kudos to them!

Trapped!!!!

OMGGGGGGGGGG

Today I witnessed something unbelievable!!!!!!!!

My God of all things can be done, but this????

You see, one of our colleague was accidently trapped in one of the Director’s room (unused at the moment) and he can’t opened the door from the inside, which makes him trapped.

We tried to help him from the outside but can’t either…the door just won’t bulge!!! Something is wrong with the lock mechanism. So we called for reinforce team – HR Dept that have the keys.

BUT, the key doesn’t work its magic either. So our poor colleague is really trap this time. Big time!

There on the other hand, our PIC is there making so much noise of how “no people are allowed in the rooms and such and why our colleague is in there without authorisation?”

Well hello??? It is an empty room after all and our colleague was on the phone so he just wanted some privacy. Not that he wanted this to happen right? Why make such a big deal of it?

Seriously I don’t see what’s the big issue lor right??? Just find a locksmith to open up the door that’s all!!!!

Instead, scold scold scold!!! What’s the point?

Though they did get people from the Maintenance to “solve” this issue, our poor colleague was trapped for quite a while.

Then suddenly, our PIC came over and joked with us saying how “fortunate” it happened to one of us instead of the boss-.-“

Hello?? Less than 5 minutes ago you were reprimanding all of us over the phone and now you happily laugh and joke with us?

Talk about 180 degree turn!

Finally our colleague was “freed unharmed” which I think is the most important thing ever.

This has really become the hottest issue in our department right now. ^^

My Progress @ Work

I have been working for a week already. My relationship with my colleagues are getting better as well. In the beginning, I have not make much friends but today, I see a vast improvement already. My social circle has grown bigger and bigger already. Which is definitely a good thing.

I mean, making friends is better than making enemy. It make me feel less lonely lol;p At least now I got more people to chat with me so I feel less boring.

So far, work was uber boring! The first few days there’s intensive training for us newbies as well as a plant tour. That was good because it feels that there is something to do. Subsequently, there’s nothing else to do.

My immediate superior did hand down some customer for me to follow up but then, they weren’t really active. I was also given some databases to mass mail but that’s pretty much about it.

I finished off everything and now sitting in the office with nothing concrete to do. So I spend my time doing some reading and and reading and reading. It gets so freaking boring that I keep yawning every few minutes.

To make things worse, IT man has yet to set my computer to the internet, which means I can’t even go online!!!!!

There’s really nothing I can do lor seriously. Although I can’t say I’m very familiar with my company’s product but still, it’s really boring here…

Everyday sitting in the office doing nothing. Listening to MP3…..urrggghhhhh it’s really no life here in office man!!!!

I wanna work!!!! Else I’ll get so mushroomed that I’ll get lazy -.-“

Not that I’m any hardworking to begin with!

Me @ Work

I have started work with my new employer for a week. Unfortunately, I even gotta work on Saturdays. Alternate Saturdays for half day. And my first Saturday is a working Saturday hurhurhur….so happy hor? -.-“

Seriously, time passed very fast when you are enjoying yourself. I actually had a week break in between working for previous employer and new employer. However, that week just came and go in a blink of an eye.

There I was happily cooking drama at home and before you can utter “hastalavistababy” it’s Monday and it’s working day.

I was pretty nervous at first because first day ma…how will my new colleague welcome me? To top that of, I forgot to prepare food for lunch!

Rule #1: Always bring something to eat on the first day of work. This is to be the back up plan in case you can’t make any friends fast enough or get any invitation to join your new colleagues for lunch.

Well of course if you are a social queen then you obviously will not have any issue with this. It helps too if you are a prom queen.

Let’s face it, which guy don’t wanna date their hot colleague for lunch?

Or if you are always a loner and don’t mind eating alone, well….i guess you too won’t have any issue here.

But yours truly here hates to eat alone in public. Out of desperate measure, I grabbed some cookies and stuff in my bag.

Luckily, my colleagues are pretty nice. And I have lunch partners. Thank God!

My first day started as me walking into the office bearing visitor pass (they held my driving licence as hostage!) and fill up forms before the HR Manager came and brief me on the company rules, strata, and bla bla bla… and my first impression is…me don’t really like her….hurhurhur…

THEN I was introduced to EACH and EVERY people in the office – exchanging handshakes and names and pleasantries….to e-ve-li-bo-di….

For two floors!

Obviously, I can’t recognise most of them lor…knowing me, I’m really bad with faces. I can remember names much more easily compare to faces.

But all in all, I suppose this is how big organization works. I mean, good also la, cuz this is definitely the fastest way to intro yourself and get to know others. Whether you remember them or not after that, well, that’s entirely another issue.

LOL

Cheapo Man doesn't have any future!

My GOD!!!! What a cheap man!!!!!!

Totally cannot stand this type of people lor....beh tahan!!!!!

I went to a workshop in my office area to get a quotation for my car fender (the part that got bang!) and the foreman quote me RM350. So I called my "banger" (the idiot that bang my car!) and told him the price.

Guess what?!

He says its too expensive and according to his friend, it cost around RM200++ only so he say he will give me RM200. I was like, WHAT??? DO YOU EXPECT ME TO FORK OUT RM150 MYSELF?????

ARE YOU NUTS????!!!!!!!!

That cheapo man gave me another option, which is to bring my car to his friend's workshop in Puchong and he will bear the full cost of repair.

WELL, HELLO???!!!!!! HOW DO YOU EXPECT I'M TO GET MY BUTT THERE???? WHO's GONNA FETCH ME TO WORK AND STUFF???????

He stupidly suggest, "your friend"

LIKE HELL!!!!! YOU THINK ALL MY FRIENDS DON'T NEED TO WORK IS IT???? YOU THINK THEY CAN FETCH ME WHENEVER I WANT IS IT????? YOU THINK EVERYONE IS LIKE YOU SO USELESS IS IT?????!!!!!!! F*** YOU!!!!!!!

He even has the cheek to say "I don't want to talk about who's at fault now"

F*** YOU!!!! OF COURSE IT WAS YOUR FAULT LA!!!!!! HOW STUPID CAN YOU BE TO JUST RAMMED OUT IN T-JUNCTION WHEN THERE'S A PERFECTLY BRIGHT RED CAR RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU???!!!!!

YOU'RE WHAT??? COLOUR BLIND???? OR JUST PLAIN STUPID???!!!!!!! MY CAR IS SO SHARP YET YOU DIDN'T SEE IT????? WITH ME HONKING YOU BUT STILL YOU CAN'T BRAKE IN TIME EITHER!!!!! DAMN RETARD LOR YOUR REACTION!!!!!

It's really frustrating trying to talk sense and logic with this sort of cheapo man I tell you. I wasted my phone bill listening to him talking bullshit! Finally he says he will have to skipped lunch for a week and raise me RM50 to make it RM250.

LIKE HELL I CARE IF YOU EAT OR NOT!!!!!!!

By then I was really tired. Emotionally spent. I refused to talk to him any longer so accept his stupid offer. I rather fork out Rm50 and have it done in a good place rather than go to some cheapo place that the work might be done shabbily.

Understandably, Sunway area is slightly expensive for car work. But then, since all posh cars came here, then we can be assured that their handiwork is of top-notched right?

And the best thing is, it is convenient for me! Since I worked at this area, I can just drop my car and walk to my office! Otherwise, how do you think I can go to work????!!!!!!

Bahh!!!! Cheapo people will never think of others but themselves! Do you think I want to cheat him out of RM50???!!!!!!

What is RM50???!!!!! You think I can get rich by that is it????!!!! My God!!!!!! Please la, I have no intention of cheating you any amount whatsoever lor...I only quote you the price the workshop quote me!

Arrggghhhhhhhh I can't believed I sacrifice my lunch time over such cheapo man! FYI, I too, skipped lunch that day already!

I sincerely wish you live a long life! Please use this time on earth and learn how to be a decent man and ACT like a MAN should!!! Please don't go around bargain price like you were in a market buying fish la! Damn siasui la u!

**But to give credit to you, you did pay promptly - even if it was a meager amount. At least you did one thing right in your miserable life.

Not an ordinary leap year 2012

ARRRGGGHHHHHHHHHHH~~~~~~~

I had a bad start for today. Just when I thought there's not much traffic in highway means it's a good thing - bang!

The next thing I know I have been involved in a car accident!

Curse my self for taking a new route to work today! I should have just stick to the usual route!!!!

Of all day, of all possible things, of all possible person, WHY ME???????

It all happened in a T-junction in an industrial area where the owner of a brown Wira "didn't" see me/my car and bang me in the intersection. Knocked my right side fender and now I can hardly open my door!

Of course that person is at fault la! Of course he had to pay me la. I got his name card so in a while more I need to forego my lunchtime in search for workshop to quote my car's work value. Of course I need to make sure that mister PAID me before I dare to start the work.

It's not a major production but still, it needed some knocking and painting lor. I don't know the cost but seems like Sunway area will be slightly more pricey lor.

Of all day, today is supposed to be a special day. It's leap year after all - happened once every four year....

Definitely not a forgettable leap year lor...

Thank God it wasn't a major one.

-to be continued-

My ship has landed!!

Finally! I can finally say that my ship has come in for me. It has docked on my private port and waiting just for me.

Boy was I happy beyond words! Truly am! On the night that I've got this wonderful news, I practically can't sleep the whole night. Well, caffeine in tea is to blamed more than anything actually;p

In my previous post, I've mentioned that I've landed a job but the perks aren't quite satisfactory right? Well, guess what?

I've another offer, with even better perks! In fact, during interview when they agreed to my expected salary I was already elated. Then when I checked my mail for their promised offer letter, my eyes nearly pop out of their sockets!

They were even more generous as the offer price is EVEN higher than what I expected! I was like OMG!!! OMG!!!! OMG!!!!!! Is this real?????

I was DELIRIOUS~~~~

Previously, I was still considering if I should quit my current job and switched to the higher pay one. Despite the pay, my current job is really more related to my degree. I mean, I should at least work what I've studied for right? Like, really utilized what I've learned in Uni and stuff?

That's because the new offer I got (say, Company B) job is similar with my previous job, which is not really related to my field of study. Despite the low pay in Company A (my current one), I think I would really quite enjoy the work. The working environment here ain't too bad really.

Despite my friends and family kinda leaned towards Company B, I seriously was still considering. My question is, should I work for passion or money?

But after I saw the offer letter and their offer, all my objections or worries vanished into thin air. POOF!!!!!

You may say that I've sold my soul to the money devil or whatever, I don't care!

I am so changing my career course! Because of this step I took, I am kinda forever changing my career course literally. Now, this will be my course. This will be IT!

Just in case you were wondering what dissatisfactory I have with current Company A, I have stated my expected salary and they never said anything about it. Mostly my fault too as I was too nervous hence I forgot to asked about the salary. Here is where I made my biggest mistake in my life - I "assumed" they will give me the salary I wanted since they never said anything about it.

After all, it seems that it's kinda a culture for employer to always negotiate and bargain your expected salary only syok geh...and when Company A don't, I stupidly assumed they are alright with it!

BIG MISTAKE EVER!!!!!!!!

I only get to know of my pay when I came to start work and sign my contract. It finally revealed to me my salary. I was so shocked beyond words and I even made a call to my superior to clarify - and it seems I was already given a "senior level" salary bla bla bla....

The pay they offer is actually even lower than my last drawn pay in last year March! I was thinking if I should continue on or just stand up and walked away.

But I felt that it's extremely rude and it will reflect badly on me if I did that. So without anymore choices, I signed it.

Of course I was very unhappy la, I mean, most people will only settle for higher salary instead of lower right? But here I am, on the opposite direction! @@

You have no idea how bad I felt for my self then. I persuade myself, my friends, my family that this is my fault so I have to lived up to it. I have to bear the consequences of my mistake.

So when Company B request me to attend an interview, you bet I didn't let this opportunity slip by.

And I have never looked back since...

Found a job

I guessed I haven't been coming here more often already. Busy with life, that's why.

I know, it's just lame excuse. But! Sorry excused is better than none LOL;p

It's almost 2 mths that I came back from NZ. CNY had came and go....I've also been actively hunting for work since then. At that time, I felt quite sorry for myself because of all that I applied through jobstreet, only ONE called me.

Naturally, I was thrilled. I mean, one is better than none right? So happily I went for the interview only to be told stuff that I never imagined I'll be hearing. Can't divulge too much here because it's not safe. Bribe me and I will consider telling you. muahahahaha;p

Just when I already accepted the job offer, calls started to pour in. I have rejected some and also acccepted some for interview. NO harm looking for the best offer right?

Afterall, there are some details that I am not satisfied with my current job. Of course if I can get better offer isn't it better for me too?

As for the job scope, it ain't too bad. I believe I would quite like it actually. Of course, there's always a buts right? I'm still new so I haven't been doing anything that carry heavy weights.

We'll see how it goes from here......

Bye Bye Blenheim~

Without knowing it, three months have passed by. My three months stint as mussel opener has finally come to an end. Despite all my grumbling and pain, I kinda missed it and feel sad that it has all come to an end.

Believe it or not, I really feel sad to leave that stupid company. It's because I've made lotsa great friends there and I regret having to leave them so soon, just as we all become closer buddies.

I still remember when we first started working, we hardly have any friends there. When we were about to leave however, we've made all sorts of friends there that make us part with heavy hearts. Each and everyone of them has etched deep in my heart and the memories we made will be fondly cherished.

I agreed that my reason of sadness is not because of the job, but of the people. It is those people that we called friends that make our mundane working life so much more bearable and fun too. I've actually had a lot of fun working there. After all, we create our own fun right? *wink*

My last day of work is definitely my wettest LOL;p It's a tradition for the people that will depart to be hosed. And yours truly got hosed, drenched from top to bottom. I retaliate back of course! It's a battlefield in the factory ^^v What a field day it was. We really had a grand time didn't we? XD

We may have to say our goodbyes now, but I believe our parting is not forever. May our path cross again in the future ;-)

After spending 3 months in Blenheim, it kinda become a home to me. Never thought I might actually like Blenheim (because previously I don't) and now it's time to say bye bye.

Like it or not, it's time to move on with my life.

Good bye Blenheim, Hello West Coast !!!!!

My Life at Mussel Opening

After weeks and weeks working, I still find it hard to increase my numbers in mussel opening. Seriously, I have tried my very best every day to improve. In fact, I have also take pointers from Dinosaur as he is the fastest among us four. He took the time to study other's skill and method then he will tried it himself and share with us the outcome.

Finally, I get used to a certain technique and so I stick to it. Only thing left to do is to improve my skill and increase the figure. I have hoped that with time, I can and will get better. But most of the time, I'm the slowest among four.

Despite how hard I worked on it, I'm still not fast enough. I really wished I could be faster, but still not fast enough. It's damn hard to increase the score!!! There's a day when I only managed to open 4.2k and a certain Mr A opened 13k mussels.

Talk about a big gap.

This is like a huge sea between our score -.-"

Eventually, our fingers suffers from our determination to increase the scores. Twister suffers the most. Her icky fingers can't bend at all! She suffered from triggered finger disease due to opening too much mussels. Godzilla suffers from blisters on her fingers and it hurt so much that she has to put a number of plasters on her fingers everyday before going to work.

Still does that, until today - which is like 3 months already.

Haven't heard much complain from Dinosaur though. He probably the only one barely get nicked at all. As for me, my fingers suffer from mild triggered finger disease as well. I can bend my fingers, but most morning when I wake up, my finger muscles are so stiff that it can't be bend immediately. It needed time to relax and it get so much better after I dip my fingers in hot water.

According to President, hot water is the best remedy for triggered finger. If it's acute, then one need to take medication or worst still, steroid injection. I know all these because so happened at the same time, President also got inflicted with triggered finger disease. He injured his finger due to long hour of operation at work.

Pretty much same scenario with us. Holding knife for a long long time. Though we operate on mussels and he operates on human being;p

Anyway, after nearly 3 months of mussels opening, my best record is only 7.5k which is like, only HALF of the highest record achiever hold by Mr A. I have heard that a certain Mr P's record is a whooping 15k though I didn't actually saw the figure myself. Mr. P is extremely fast too, I have got to give it to him.

At times, I wonders if all these people that opens like 10k mussels a day are robots or something? Their hands are like robot!! So fast and precise! Won't they feel tired at all?

My record is barely passable but I always feel very tired at the end of the day. My hands will be so sore and tired that I barely have enough energy to lift the heavy butcher knife to do cooking at home.

Not only that, sometimes my hand hurts even when I'm just combing my hair. In my quest to improve my score, I have hurt my wrist. Therefore, my hand movement has been restricted a little. Certain movement of the wrist will make me gasp in pain.

Yeah, pity me I know. At times I felt pitiful too. My beautiful pair of hands.......