To all you people who drive into JB often. You better read this. It just happened today.
I wanted to get my car washed, vacuumed and maybe top-up some cheap petrol. So I decided to head up to JB to get all things done. I drove up to the causeway and passed the Woodlands Checkpoint as per normal, then to the Malaysian checkpoint and got my passport stamped and when I headed over to the inspection corner, I stopped my car, released my seat belt (YES! I got my seat belts on!), and headed out to the back of my car to lift up the car boot for inspection. When I was cleared, I headed back into the driver’s seat and drove off. Almost instantaneously I got stopped by a Malaysian traffic police and this was the conversation we had.
“Sir, you didn’t have your seat belts on. Under the Malaysian law, the driver is to have his selt belt on whenever driving. I’m gonna charge and fine you for not putting on your seat belt. The fine is 300RM.”
And then I explained (still in the car);
“Sorry boss, I just got off the car just now for inspection. Usually I’ll drive and put on my seat belt at the same time. I’ll put my seat belt on right now.”
“Sorry Sir, this is Malaysia and you are under the Malaysian law now. I don’t know if you can drive without your seat belt on in Singapore but you’re now in Malaysia and I’ll have to penalise you for not putting on your seat belt. Can I have your license please?”
I got out of the car, took out and handed over my driving license to him.
“How much is the fine?”
“300 Ringgit”
“OK.”
And then he looked at me. Kinda surprised. Then he went…
“Ah! This is Malaysia! Please remember to put on your seat belt!”
“OK.”
He paused, and looked at me again…
“I give you one chance want ornot?”
“Oh yes please! Thank you boss!” I was already laughing inside. This fella just wants money.
“OK! 50 Ringgit! Go back into your car. Take back your license. MONEY UNDER LICENSE!”
I took out a 50RM note and placed it under the license and then handed both to him.
“AIYOH!! Fold the money!!
I obliged and folded the note into half and handed it to him again.
“SMALLER! HIDE THE MONEY UNDER THE LICENSE!!”
I laughed and acted blur, then did accordingly.
“THANK YOU!”
And then I drove off…
The whole scene lasted for about 5 mins and while I was there, another 5 cars were stopped. There were 3 of them.
Waking up in the middle of the night, unable to sleep anymore… In fact, I’ve yet to sleep one bit and I’m still wide awake. SO many things in my mind, I can’t seem to be able to settle down and go to bed. I come online, hoping to look for someone to chat with. But I’ve lost all my MSN contacts, all my friends are “no more”. I feel so lonely right now, nothing to do, no one to talk to and unable to sleep.
Work has been occupying my thoughts. Close to 7 months into the first full-time job that I have in the journey of my life. It has been strenuous. It never seems to end, it keeps coming and it’s been accumulating. I think that’s what you call “hitting the wall”. I miss the life I had as a full-time student. Living a carefree life, not much commitments and especially the holidays. I’m flattered by the expectations that my superiors have of me but it seems as if after all the time I’ve spent working on it, I never seem to be able to complete any of them. I guess my capabilities are limited after all.
I was a student studying part-time, looking to get a job to make use of the free time that I have on hand. To gain some experience in the working world and to earn some pocket money. But for work, I’ve sacrificed all the things that I loved to do. I am no longer able to find time to do my favorite past-time, fishing. I can’t even give commitment to the basketball team I’ve played for the past 2 years. I’ve sacrificed my weekends, going back to work on Saturdays and Sundays. Its already been 22 consecutive days I’ve gone back to work to clear my stuff and at the same time struggling to complete my school projects and assignments I have on hand. And I’ve been sacrificing my studies for work. I’m exhausted, I’m saturated. I yearn so much for a break and the breaks I’ve got from work were either when I fell sick or when I took leave to complete my school projects and assignments. Is all this worth it? I definitely do not wish to jeopardize my studies for work. I only wanted to get a job to gain some experience and earn some pocket money. Not for it to hog up all my time and burden me with plenty of commitments.
I love the job. People are great, its one of my interests and there’re lots of things for me to learn. But my studies definitely come first. Has it been worth it? Should I go on?
Sometimes your emotions just get the better of you. Its something so very hard to control. I’ve learnt to realize…
You would never fail to call me whenever you would be coming back to ask if I’m hungry…
You would stay late at night in office to work and keep me company…
You entrusted your car with me, then, when I was only a few days old in the company…
The repeated treats I’ve got from hanging out with you after work and the countless advices and support you would enlighten and provide me with whenever I would face with any troubles with regards to work.
There was nobody else more of a friend than you in office. You definitely made working a much better experience for me and I really appreciate having had a colleague like you.
Whatever troubles you may be facing, there will be a time where everything starts turning for the better.
Its definitely sad to see you go. You will be missed.
I wish you well in whatever may be the next step in your life.
School has started again! Sometimes it’s good to have a break. And when you go back to working on it, it just feels so different. Or refreshing I’d say. I don’t know why. But somehow I always feel good whenever a new term starts and I get into a class with mostly familiar faces, a few unfamiliar ones and a different lecturer. You get to meet more people and get to ‘evaluate’ the new lecturer. Of course, the customary self-introduction during the first class of each module is ALWAYS the most boring part. But other than that, when you’re learning something new, something different, its always a refreshing experience!
Now, how I just wish I can take a break from work (without using my leave. They’re so precious!!). Life as a student is fun. Classes, study, stress, assignments, stress, projects, lots of stress and then holidays. Recharge, face something different and CONQUER!
LOL, I don’t know if this is a self-fulfilling prophecy (psychological term) I’m applying on myself. Maybe I’m just looking at things on a brighter side to not demoralize myself. Or maybe not! But I really enjoyed my first class after 2 weeks of holidays.
Year 2008 is almost 1/3 gone (time REALLY flies doesn’t it?). And I predict this term to be really stressful because I’m taking 2 modules this term and both classes are on weeknights! I had 1st hand experience on how its like to have lessons on a weekday after work today. Its so stressing! I had to rush to complete all that’s supposed to be done for the day (to be in time for class) and for the month. The month is coming to an end and lots of closing of accounts has to be done. There were so many events over the month of April! Just the World Gourmet Summit (WGS) is enough to kill. Not to mention Food Hotel Asia 2008 (FHA), Premium Wine Tasting 2008 at The American Club and many others! Lots of wines lying around in my office from the events, not settled. Lots of new labels brought in, not allocated a space in the wine room. Lots of things to settle, too little time. And towards the end of this school term, I will be stressed with double the assignments, double the projects, double the workload!
New challenges awaits me. And I’m not backing down!
Her boyfriend asks, 'What is it supposed to be when it's finished?'
The blonde says, 'According to the picture on the box, it's a rooster.'
Her boyfriend decides to go over and help with the puzzle.
She lets him in and shows him where she has the puzzle spread all over the table.
He studies the pieces for a moment, then looks at the box, then turns to her and says,
'First of all, no matter what we do, we're not going to be able to assemble these pieces into anything resembling a rooster.'
He takes her hand and says, 'Second, I want you to relax. Let's have a nice cup of tea, and then ..' He said with a deep sigh, . . . . .
(scroll down)
'Let's put all the Corn Flakes back in the box.'
It’s been a year…
A year since I wore something green on myself…
A year since I held the ‘kiwi’ and brush…
A year since I last stamped my foot...
A year since I had to listen to commands to start walking and change directions, in unison, nevertheless…
It was year 2005, around the same time, 3 years ago. Where my parents departed; leaving me all alone in an island strange, and unfamiliar to me. I told myself all this would end in due time. And I can still remember clearly how I felt at that very moment when I told that to myself.
As I queued up in a single file, together with many other boys like me, waiting to get my hair shaved;
As I embarked on a journey, filled with regimentation and physical training;
Never would I have thought at that point of time, that I would be sitting down here, right now, at the comfort of my own home, typing what I am typing right now, without having to pack my belongings for the week ahead of me, without having to worry about booking in, and with my hair long enough to ’fly’ as the fan rotates to my direction with every uniform interval.
It’s just amazing how when you think back, that time really flies and waits for no man they say…
With that, I would like to end this post and leave you guys with a quote that has never failed to motivate me and also as a reminder to all you reading this right now that TIME IS GOLD. Don’t take it for granted; for when it’s gone, you’d never be able to get it back…