dealing.with.life

Many times I wished that the mind can do the blogging replacing the need to type things out. But until such ability exists I will just have to make time to write a post.

January 2011 has been a very challenging month for me. It was not the finances or the mood dip after the Christmas and New Year holidays, or void that my family left since their visit.

I would so love to indulge you with my woes but I will spare you the details.

All I know was that many times my secondary school Chemistry teacher's famous words of "don't ask and just accept" reminded me that is how life can be.

It was hard to accept the things that you are not convinced were necessary; or that you know was wrong; or that when you speak up it seems no one is listening. Those were the times when you wished you did not say anything. But then you (or in this case I) struggled.

I struggled because my mind was fighting with itself.

Do this, but it is not acceptable.

Don't do this, and you can't accept that decision or that is not how you work.

Is it better to be that person who just sit quietly there and show no emotions of agree or disagree? Which then makes that either this person does not care or the go with the flow person? And when he/she disappears from the scene everyone is shocked because he/she has been an OK-(wo)man? Or maybe no one even noticed?

Anyways, the constant fighting and (close to literally) head banging onto the wall drove my stress levels up and perhaps at some point I was depressed.

I don't know who to trust or who to say anything to. I even become sceptical about the support that is available. The ones that I lean on when I need them, they all seem so far away.

I was emotional, and I was mind and emotionally tired.

I was here but I wasn't here.

I was lost and would rather be away than facing reality.

Now, I am not sure how I manage to escape those thoughts at the moment. So far I am ok when I don't have to deal with certain situations or maybe even certain people. But you can only run so far and fight so much, eventually you will have to face it and deal with it.

As cliché as it sounds that it is all about "attitude", I would like a big spoonful of that to keep me going.

Until then, let me enjoy the low fighting days and thank you for your patience in this undoubtedly negative post.

fuel.price.rant

Through observation, I always felt that Aberdeen has the cheapest fuel. However, after observing for a few weeks, I did notice that Aberdeen no longer has the cheapest fuel.

Last weekend’s diesel price per litre was Glasgow 115.9p, Dundee 114.9p and Aberdeen 116.9p.

You do wonder really. Guess I’ll just have to refuel in Dundee from now on. For the distance I do, luckily currently I only refuel every two weeks and get about 62 mpg!

Of course the issue of fuel prices will always be there. So what are we going to do about it? The fuel companies know that they can get away with it. Like it or not people still need fuel. Even if you don’t drive, but take the public transport, that fuel cost will be transfer to you and reach you some ways. And there is only so much walking and bicycling that you can do.

So I guess, as much as it pains me to say this (maybe just a light pinch), guess we just go to live with the high fuel price and pray that it will one miracle day will come down...

mistake.&.fraud

The MPs expenses scandal continues...

Was in the kitchen earlier watching the news and can’t help wondering how in the world can MPs ‘accidentally’ claim or submitted expenses by ‘mistake’.

How?

HOW???!!!

Does one not review their expenses before submitting?

I mean how can it be a mistake if one has to (typically) fill in an expenses claim form, submits receipt and get it approved?

How?

And again, who approves or scrutinise before approval???

Goodness!

What has been happening in the past weeks of the expenses scandal revelation are MPs showing off on TV the cheques they have signed off to be submitted to Inland Revenue and an apology.

‘Oopps, you’ve caught me. Here’s the refund. I’m sorry.’ And then get back to their work.

Whether or not it is going to happen again, who knows?

Some of the mistakes seemed so deliberate that it can be classified as fraud!

And all it takes is here is the money, sorry, and back to work.

In a typical organisation, if you are caught for fraud, what happens to you?

You lose your job and might even be arrested!

Noo... MPs have special immunity.

So, why being a British MP is the best job in the world?

#1. High salary: £64,766

#2. Unlimited expenses claim. Even though there are rules to it.

#3. Immunity on ‘mistakes’

Once again, good life for some...

Anyways, well done to those who were sensible enough not to abuse their expenses claims rights.

Why is this topic the ‘highlight’ of my day?

Well, just because these MPs are using my tax money to fund for their ‘extravagant’ lifestyle!

I'm curious to what are the allowable expenses for Malaysian politicans? Hmmm...?

ever.considered.being.a.british.politician?

For weeks, all you hear everyday on the UK news is exposure of what UK Members of Parliament (MPs) has been claiming for expenses.

You see, in the UK, MPs receive allowances to cover the costs of running an office and employing staff, having somewhere to live in London and in their constituency, and travelling between Parliament and their constituency.

Sounds fair enough, right?

But it has come to light that expenses claimed by the MPs covers from pay-per-view adult films, to magazine subscriptions. From dog food, to home repairs and luxury furnishings.

On top of all that, the annual salary for an MP is £64,766!!!

Was there no one who sets what can be claimed under expenses?

Someone who checked if all the expenses were valid?

Does the MPs not realise that they should have known better not to use tax-payers’ money as their bottomless purse to pay out their monthly expenditures?

Dog food? Come on!

It started initially with MPs employing their family members to be their staff, with good salary, mind you.

Nepotism? What Nepotism?! Doubt they even know what it really means.

So, each MP is allowed expenses for two homes - one in their constituency and the other in London.

Can the government 'impose' that the MPs constituency home to be the first home and provide accommodation in London?

Would it not be easier for the government to provide a purpose built accommodation, i.e. a one room / studio or two room apartment for each MP to live in when in London for work. The government pay for the accommodation and bills, and any additional expenses like a Wii console or fancy plasma screens, will be bore by the MPs. After all, the London 'home' should be somewhere to live in when working in London. Adequate and comfy, not the presidential suite of the Ritz-Carlton.

Do they not live in their constituency home and serve the community there? If not, then why run for election at your constituency?

Why bother?

During one of my visits to the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood, there was an extract of an MP's diary. It said that she travels to Edinburgh from her (undisclosed) constituency and stay in the Edinburgh accommodation (could be home) for a few days and then travel back to the constituency home where her family lives.

Now, why can she do it but not the others down in London?

I think if I said to my boss that I want to keep my Aberdeen home and need expenses paid for my Glasgow accommodation, I’m sure he will tell me to sort it out myself from my own pay.

In the current economic climate, it doesn't make sense that the people's representatives are having a good time - good pay (£64k, I won’t complaint) and bottomless expenses, when employment is at a record high.

Forget Hamilton Island. It does seem that the best job in the world is being a British MP. On top of a rather comfortable pay, you can claim for bottomless expenses.

Good life for some...

And people wonder why I don't have faith in politicians.

pound.foolish

It just doesn't make sense when
We can spend £19k on moving
But we can't
Get a light bulb changed
Or replace the broken microwave oven
And apparently all is done in the name of SAVING!!!

Penny wise but Pound foolish.
I think that phrase was more than likely coined by the Brits.



Yaaa-lar, I got moved again...

honestly? promptly?!

I checked my email and guess what I received?!

An email from VFS, regarding 'Feedback on UK Visa in Malaysia'!

I sent my feedback like eons ago. Last year! In DECEMBER!!!

And they only sent me a reply now.

"Dear Applicant,

Thank you for registering your feedback. Your email will be responded within 2 working days promptly."

Blardiehell, I have to wait a respond in 2 working days, as well!

Promptly? O.o??

Promptly should have been December 2008!

Let's wait and see...

UK.recession

"UK is now officially in recession"

The newscaster announced, as if it is a good thing.

Bah!

BBC: UK in Recession.

3.47.am

It was 3.47am.

In the silent of the night a rumble was heard, masses of earth moved, enveloped upon homes.

It was 3.47am.

They were sound asleep. Unknowingly to some of them, that was their final sleep.


Ever since I arrived home, all I see was development – high rise apartments and condominiums, new townships, more houses, and land clearing.

And all that I often said was ‘KL is over developed’, ‘Why nobody controlled these developments?’

Even the beloved Taman Melawati which had minimal or controlled development in the past was not spared. It is going through major developments and has even gone through a big change compared to my childhood days.

Do we need all these multimillion Ringgit projects? Or more of it?
Do we need more homes?
Do we need high migration?
Do we need more cars?

KL is getting more and more congested - with human and vehicles. Every home owns at least 2.5 cars. But public transportation has not improved much.

Are all these expenditure worth the lives who were buried under the landslide?


What about the lives that were lost?

What about the children who were looking forward to their school holidays?

What about the parents who had hopes, dreams, and aspirations for their children? For their family?

What about the people who were looking forward to a nice long weekend break?

What about their homes?

Did anyone realised the increased of developments caused more harm than good?


The influx of these developments has caused increased cases of flooding due to loss of water catchments areas.

Each time it floods in KL - our capital, home to the world tallest twin towers - The Petronas Twin Towers, it is a loss of tens and hundreds of thousands Ringgits.

These flooding prompted the government to spent RM1.9bn (USD514.6m) on the SMART Tunnel (Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel).

Has anyone ever put one and one together?

Has anyone ever thought of controlled development? Planning permission?

Yes, we could argue the benefits of all these projects - government spending, developing nation, reputational projects.

But do we want to be famous for the further loss of green areas?
Do we want to be known as a capital of flood?
Do we want to continue to waste more money during a flood?
Do we need a second SMART system?

And do we need further loss of lives?

Did anyone realise how much it costs for those rescue missions?


It was 3.47am.

The emergency services have been wailing its sirens periodically ever since.

Rescue efforts has been aggressive - the police, the army, the fire and rescue services, civil defence department, ambulances, local authority, SMART (Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue) team, helicopters, diggers, and even dumper trucks, rushed to the scene providing their best efforts.

Are we as smart as we think we are?

Is this another event where ministers come out to show their faces and sympathies?

Another event for hoo haaas - ‘No hillside development’, ‘Planning permit required’, etc.

Do they not understand it is not all about hillside development - it is about over development!

Did anyone remember that on 11 December 1993, a very high profile landslide tragedy happened not far down the road from here, caused a residential block - Highland Towers Block 1, to collapse and claimed 48 lives?

And what about the numerous landslides around the Ulu Klang area?

Or the various landslides that has been happening in KL of late?


It was 3.47am.

I woke up to the power cut.

It was 3.47am.

A landslide happened in Bukit Antarabangsa, destroying the homes and lives of many.


When will we ever learn?

All pics are from The Star Online Gallery, for more pics click here.

appalled

I’ve always been thankful for all the facilities that are provided here at the client’s office.

I remember how impressed I was that tableware and a dishwasher is even provided!

However, people get complacent when good things are provided to them.

They misuse the providence. Sinks are full of unwashed tableware and cutleries. The dishwasher was full but no one put on the load. And when they’ve all been cleaned, the dishes and mugs lie asleep in the dishwasher. Oh yes, not to forget, people who put in dirty dishes into a newly cleaned load.

Now, where is the common sense?

For as long as the dishwasher has been here since I’ve started working at this site, I believe there has been numerous breakdown of the machine.

What happens then?

The sink gets full.

Tea or coffee stained mugs piled up high. People knowing that the machine is broken (because there was a rather obvious sign) still place their dirty tableware and cutleries into the machine, possibly expecting a miracle.

People here also have a few very bad habits, like if they spill milk, coffee or sugar on the worktops they can’t be bothered to wipe it clean.

Then there are the phantom lazy ones who I don’t know for what reason whatsoever cannot throw their used tea bags into the bin, which is located like three to five steps away from the worktop. Where do they throw you ask? In the sink! Now, who is going to clear that away for them???!!!

Let's not go to where people put their used mugs in and around the rooms/office...

I’ve prolly tidy up and clean up the kitchen quietly a few times as the mess do get on my nerve. And it is a good distraction when I needed time away from my desk.

The point is that why can’t people clean or wash up after themselves? It is not like we have a person full time here to make sure the kitchen is clean throughout the day. It’s not like people are uneducated, for goodness sake, they work in an office!!!!!

Eventually, the facilities team got fed up as the kitchen was becoming a tip.

So, four months ago, an email was sent out to people within the office...

...I would expect that anyone using dishes would wash up after themselves but as this is not happeining (sic) it leaves us with no alternative to remove all dishes from the area. Staff would then be expected to provide their own crockery and wash it as you use it.

The dishwasher will be removed and washing up liquid supplied and roller towels put in place to dry your cups etc.’

Not long after that email was sent out, the machine bid farewell to us ungrateful sods.


Somehow today, there wasn’t any washing liquid available. Don’t mention the milk for the drinks. *sigh*

election fracas

Where do I begin?

I must admit that I’ve fallen out of Malaysian news. Honestly, I haven’t really been following the news. So blog reading helps, a bit. If only people dare voice their opinion on the happenings in Malaysia.

Perhaps I will leave that for another post.

Out of the blue (for a blur case like me), I heard that Malaysia will be holding it’s 12th General Election, a year earlier than it is supposed to be held.


Generally, Malaysia has a General Election every five years.

However, the Prime Minister decided to announce dissolution of the parliament a year ahead. Must be really desperate to do so. Hmmm.

Some say it is because if the GE is held next year, Anwar Ibrahim has a chance to run for election, which is a big no-no, so I heard. Poor guy didn’t stand a chance to fulfil his dream.


So pre-election, you can see and hear all these pre-election promises and provident that some have been asking for ages and never seemed to get any answer for. But come election time, all your queries and requests answered and fulfilled.

Even if it doesn’t materialise, you will be promised so many things, of which I’m very sceptical of. I once asked what if the minister or government doesn’t fulfil what they had promised? The answer I got was ‘then people won’t vote for them again’. So we have to wait for five years? Okie, perhaps dissolving the parliament a year earlier had given the people less one year of unhappiness(?).


However, I must comment on SNP (Scottish Nationalist Party) for fulfilling their promise of no more tolls in Scotland. Well done!

But can’t deny that a lot of the candidates'/ ministers’/ government’s other promises seems to be hitting a brick wall or have been highlighted, to be reminded of their promises, but have not response to it properly yet. We shall see in due time.


Anyways, side tracked there...

So yeah, election... I’ve never had much interest in politics. I only believe that if people are good enough to be elected they should be responsible enough to do the best that they can in the interest of the nation.

Yes, who puts them up there? I believe people who know them, put them up there.

Call it naïvety. I know. And I don’t care.

Perhaps it is the under exposure to politics. Perhaps it is apathy. Perhaps I don’t see any difference. Perhaps it is always the same.

Perhaps I have given up.

And as out of touch as I am, the 12th GE has been heavily emphasised but the day when the GE is held has not been. After much difficulty, I finally found out it is on Saturday, 8th March.

In Malaysia, to be able to vote, a person must be 21 years old and above, a Malaysian citizen and registered as a voter with the Election Commission (EC).

However, that is not enough. The EC maintains a register of voters that is revised and certified regularly and only those on the electoral roll are allowed to vote.

Looking at the EC website, in their FAQ it has been repeatedly commented that any mistake they blame on error in data entering.



At least they admit that they are human enough to err.

Interestingly, there is no facility for overseas Malaysians to vote. Postal votes are only available for armed forces and those eligible. Many thought that overseas Malaysians can register to vote by post or go to the nearest Malaysian High Commission and cast their vote there. However, you can’t. If you are overseas, you sort of ‘given up’ your right to vote, unless you are back in Malaysia, registered to vote and on the electoral roll.


Anyways, besides the obvious I’m very intrigued on why a Malaysian donating £8m to St. Andrew’s University. I first caught the news on Friday on the front of The Scotsman. This news has also been covered by Malaysia’s National Paper, The Star. £8m is about 50m Malaysian Ringgit.

I’ll leave the questions to you.


Back to election... I’ve always been fascinated with the posters, banners and buntings that are hung all over the place during an election.

Fascinated because it is interesting that people come out with all sorts of paraphernalia they can think of for their campaigning.

Fascinated as well by how many trees they have to sacrifice for a week or so.

Fascinated that the display of posters, banners and buntings are allowed to make Malaysia a more ‘vibrant’ place.

Fascinated at the end of the day, how much rubbish has been created.

Whichever way it will be, 8th March will an interesting day. At the end of Saturday, a change may happen, who knows.

We'll just have to wait and see.

power of empowerment

Power is often associated with the control or command over others, the authority or delegated authority bestowed onto one. With this power, it is often expected that one uses it wisely and responsibly.

Read: ‘with great power, comes great responsibility’.

In an ideal world, that should be what it should be.

However, in reality it may not necessary be.

Empowering is to give power or authority to someone to do something. By giving this permission for them to carry out task(s) responsibly offers the empower-ee the opportunity and sense of control as well as command to complete tasks that he/she may not have prior opportunity to do so.

Nevertheless, there are people who do not want to give or share the control to others. They rather have them doing all the work and/or (yes, and/or) hover above or over the shoulder of the person even when they have delegated the task to that person.

In this situation, how can anyone learn or develop?

Empowering someone does not mean that we ‘dump’ all the responsibility(ies) to them and forget about it. Or give them all the nasties and wash our hands of it.

Empowering is about allowing someone to learn and develop. Allowing that particular someone to become a more responsible and confident person in making decisions.

In most Asian culture, empowering is just a buzzword. One that may not be necessarily be practiced, especially in a small organisation, or one that had been honourable enough to be awarded with the title of 'Chinaman company'. In these organisation(s), there are only two rules:

Rule number one, the boss is always right.
Rule number two, if the boss is wrong, refer to rule number one.

Yes, I had been told, from one boss, and I think he wasn’t really jesting at that time either. Perhaps he was. Who knows? After all, Rule number one says it all.

In my observation there are many incidences of this, not empowering another or giving the opportunity for another to learn, to follow their footsteps. Perhaps they never thought what happens when they leave or worst when they kicked the bucket ?

Is it the person’s fault that he did not teach another person, or is it his superior’s oversight on this to foresee that it will be better to have another person equipped with the skills?

At the end of the day, it is whether or not as well, we want to share that responsibility and if the other person is willing to take up the additional responsibility.

For some it is not easy, but every journey begins with a single step. I guess it’s time for me to take that step, in accepting and sharing.

haunt

The past will haunt you.

Sadly, I’m feeling that right now.

The past. At that point in time, I believed that I did and said the right thing. After all, there is only so much I can do. And I did all that I could have done. And possibly exceeded more than what others would have done (I liked to think so).

Perhaps, I did do something more than I could have done. And that one thing condemns me.

I had no choice. Yes, I’m sure I had a choice. And I chose to do what I did.

Still I was condemned.

Although that incident has been shelved and left in the cupboard, like they say ‘the past will haunt you’.

The present. It is interesting that we let things like this, incidences, the past, whatever, hang above our head.

It is appalling that we let things like this govern our lives.

No one is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes.

To have the past controlling our present and future is just unacceptable!

I.am.STRESSED. O_o

I have let this got out of hand. It has been hanging above my head the whole day. It is consuming me from inside. I'm feeling the pull and strain at the back of my neck. It has now developed into a headache.

It is out of hand. I’m stressed. Totally unacceptable!

There is so much I can do.

And there is no point in getting stressed about.

I do what I can do.

The past will haunt you.

And the only way that it doesn’t haunt you is to take control of it and NOT let it preside over your life - the present and future.

unsung heroes

Many of us probably take the salt gritters for granted.

If the ground is not gritted, we moan and blame them.

If the ground is gritted, we are pleased but often take it for granted.

Yes, no doubt that these salt gritters, just like many working class, are paid.

But think about it.

They have to wake up at some ungodly hour in the morning.

They need to know when to grit and when not to grit.

(Don’t think the public would be pleased to know that their hard earned, hard-to-let-go-but-no-choice-of paying council tax money is being used to grit the grounds and roads during summer.)

And I’m sure they are not just hired or salaried to grit the roads and pavements only. What about the days that they don’t need to grit the grounds?

Anyways, I just thought that it is so nice of them to grit the ground.

I almost slipped on the frosted pavement within the work compound this morning.

On an unrelated incident...

Yesterday as I was walking within the work compound, passing the few office blocks and warehouses, a car almost hit a pedal cyclist.

I think the driver of the car was avoiding a group of men walking on the left hand side of the road and then she probably wasn’t paying much attention. Although the road was wide enough, she had a wee swerve to the right.

Anyways, that is not what that matters.

I was walking on the right hand side of the road. A pedal cyclist cycled past my left and then he was going to pass by the right side of the car. However, the car just turned sharply without indicating, into a parking bay on the right, narrowly missed the cyclist.

That was honestly a near miss incident.

Thank God the cyclist was fine.

During my trip to Shetland months ago, I cycled from Lerwick to Scalloway. It was a 14 miles cycle between the towns. I couldn’t cycle to save my life but managed to cycle there and back, all 28 miles (!), with majority of the time what I called ‘bike-pushing’. Luckily I went on the trip alone.

The point is that as a driver, you wouldn’t realise what it is like being a pedal cyclist until you experienced it for yourself. Although the traffic in Shetland was not as busy compared to a city and the roads were wide enough with a rather large verge, it was still quite a scary situation.

You can’t cycle fast because the cross winds were so strong and can flip you over from the side. You can’t cycle too slowly because besides defeating the purpose of cycling, you will also get blown down. Cycling in Shetland IS definitely an experience.

Anyways, we easily take for granted that we, as a driver are protected within the car, ignoring other seemingly ‘unimportant’ road users. Everyone is important on the road, whether they are in/on a smaller or bigger vehicle/mode of transport, whether they are walking or running, and whether they are in the same vehicle as you.

I know I’m not the best of drivers but it is still everyone’s responsibility to use the road safely.

rotaract

My decision of accepting the job and eventual, inevitable move to Glasgow was met with many resistances.

Amongst one reason that held me back was my involvement with the Rotaract club.

My first taste of Rotaract was making the decision to start up the Rotaract Club of Melawati, back in Malaysia.

Briefly, it had been an idea I had been considering for a while. I didn't have any Rotaract background but my involvement with Rotary since my mother became a charter member and myself being an Inner Wheel member, seemed like the next step, especially if it was something targeted for someone within my age range.

When my mother became President and expressed her wishes of the club sponsoring a Rotaract club, I jumped at the chance. Not long after the club started running, I received a scholarship to further my studies, so my youngest sister Su-Anne took over the running of the club.

Arriving in Aberdeen, I found out that there was a club starting up, and I volunteered myself there.

After being with the club for almost two years, I was made president. I had many plans for the club. It wasn’t an easy decision for me to accept the job in Glasgow.

As true as career and long term plans seemed more important, my involvement in the club that I’ve grown with in the past two years was a part of me, the close friends were family.

I had plans.

But I felt that I couldn’t execute them.

I felt that I have let the gang and myself down.

It wasn’t easy.

I struggled.

I wasn’t sure what was going to happen to the club. For as far as I know, for months, the club was quite quiet.

And as with anywhere and anything, there will be some political issues in the background.

Recently, after reading one of the emails from a member of the club, I was pleased to know that at least someone was taking up the challenge and pushing the club forward. I’m grateful for his enthusiasm and dedication.

For the whole time I was with the club I had a lot of fun, made many good friends, and although we are scattered all over the place, we were and still family. My hope is that the club will grow and more people will benefit from being part of the club.

The past few months have given me the opportunity to let go and move on. It is still somewhat a struggle, but I will do whatever I can from this end. It may not necessary be what I had planned, but for as long as the club exist and there is a need for me, I will do my best for the club.

aftermath

I.Am.Not.Bringing.TOH.To.
House.Parties.Again. (perhaps)

Last night's party at Tracy's was good as usual.

We went there about 9ish. It had a slow-ish start. Perhaps it was a matter of not sure where to start. Perhaps we were entertained by little Aidan running up and down the room. Perhaps we didn't have enough to drink (see earlier post on drinking happy).

Eventually, it seemed more fun when the girls started dancing madly - the wifies vs. the young girls dancing competition. TOH met a few familiar faces and catch up too.

Andy took some pics and gave me two A4 prints. I was impressed that the prints dried so fast. Mine takes a few days to dry out properly. Maybe I printed them on best quality. Hmmm...

We had the opportunity to try out some Ninetendo gadgets too - mainly the DS Lite and Wii. TOH and I have been thinking for a while of getting either one.

DS Lite
The DS Lite had 'Dr Kawashima's Brain Training: How Old Is Your Brain?' game in its slot. It is quite an interesting and addictive game.

Wii
After watching the children/youngsters playing the Wii, TOH and I later had a try at it. We first try out Wii Sports. Amongst the games on Wii Sports were tennis, baseball, bowling, golf and boxing. We tried all of the games except for boxing. I liked this package. The games mimic real life swinging, batting and bowling! TOH and I had great fun playing it together since there were two remote controls.

I was actually sweating from playing the games and my arm ached from swinging the bat!

We later put on Wario Ware: Smooth Moves. It wasn't as staright forward and simple as Wii Sports. I think you need to read the booklet to understand the game before you can play it with ease. So we moved back to playing Wii Sports.

Many hours later we decided to go home. TOH didn't look very well either. I'm sure he thinks I didn't notice it but I did know very well he was pissed when he started ignoring my instructions telling him what to do with the Wii remote. @_@

Instead of calling for a taxi home, we decided to walk. I didn't really mind walking since I love walking. I didn't mind paying for the ride home either. But since we decided to walk, so walk it was.

Coming out of Tracy's block the rain was pelting down on our faces. Since her block is not far from the beach, the wind was strong from the sea. I was lucky enough that my Nike long jacket kept me warm. TOH was not so fortunate and moaned all the way home about the rain and cold.

In his pissedness, TOH kept asking me if I was embarrassed by him. It wasn't so much of whether I was embarrassed by him or not but I was getting annoyed with his antics. To think about it I wasn't embarrassed in any way, honest. Just annoyed.

The state of pissedness or getting tipsy is just part and parcel of drinking.

I didn't even mind walking in the rain. I wasn't even fazed by the rain. I don't deny when we first left Tracy's the rain pelted down with the strong gales making it seemed to be hailing rather than raining, it did bothered a bit because it was painful.

But I was so annoyed. At the same time I was worried about him. I was worried that he will fall ill from the rain and possibly from the drinking. More so, I was worried if anything happens on our way home.

Tracy said to Andy last night that since they haven't started arguing that means that she wasn't pissed - enough.

It got me thinking on our way home, 'are we going to argue on the streets?' It wasn't even worth arguing in TOH's state of mind.

Still I was annoyed.

But for every annoyance he caused I think it was paid back with him falling ill from the drinking.

As cruel as it sounds, I am still concerned about him. And as sappy as it sounds, I still love him to bits. My poor baby!

And as they say, 'self inflicted pain/illness does not deserve sympathy'. Thank goodness we were mature enough on that and TOH has to admit defeat to it. I'm sure he will recover soon, just as we all do from an excellent night of drinking.

We both drank the same amount last night, he had vodka Cokes and I had G&Ts, and I even had a shot of Apple Sourz. But in all fairness I think he had about half a glass more than me.

I just hope he learnt his lesson. And as much as AD always say to me that 'eating is cheating', I stand firm on having food and drinking.

As for the the Nintendos, I'm contemplating which one to get. I'm just afraid I might go for both.

Watch this space!

'twas was Christmas

It's the day after Christmas.

I had a fantastic Christmas yesterday. TOH and I went up to TOH's dad's for Christmas after opening our pressies in the morning. I loved all of my presents and I'm glad that TOH loved his as well.

It was a very nice and relaxed day. We had chicken and all the trimmings, and then later fruit triffle for desert. The company was great.

Watched Shrek 2 on telly. It had this fairytale-enchanted-lovey-dovey-Shrekeques feeling. I think it was nice. But, as with all sequel, the first is always the best.

I think I must have almost coughed out my lungs. My diapharm muscles are aching from all the overtime coughing.

I believe I've tried almost everything I can get my hands on.

I've almost finish a 15ml/30ml bottle of Pei Pa Koa.

Sucked on tons of Halls sweets.

Had honey lime drink.

Even had a gulp of Boot's Bronchial Cough Syrup that TOH gave me. One word for it: vile. It.Was.VILE!!!!!! One gulp of it, within seconds it came out. I've tasted bad tasting things but this was way over whatever I've tried before.

However, I'm now on a CocaCola diet. I've heard of it, and I've tried it now and then, that you gently boil some Coke and a bashed piece of ginger until warm and the gas in the Coke are gone, you drink it down, it will cure your cough.

And as bizzare as it sounds, it is working. And I'm swearing by it. For now.

So I've got my excuse on drinking tons of Coke. However, just plain Coke. Don't have the time and bothering with the hassle of boiling it with ginger.

Also, I think the chill is not helping so I'm keeping myself as cosy as possible.

Going to bed at night is a nightmare. With me coughing incessantly, no one gets a peaceful night of sleep. I've even come up with my own nebuliser. Yes, it is an exaggeration but breathing cold air seems to trigger the chain of painful coughs.

If anyone is concern. The Coke has been a great help and I'm surprise at how well I'm recovering in a short time as well.

Walking in the malls today, I can't help wondering all that anticipation to Christmas, after all that mad dash, after all that scratching your head on what to get people, and after all that, it was just another day. It is just another day, even the day after.

It is not a bad thing. I always loved Christmas. There is something utterly magical about it. And I loved it more this year that I can spend it with TOH.

Of course we can't deny the true reason for the season. Going to Gerrard Street BC'c watchnight service on Christmas Eve is one thing that I try to do every year. Although it is late in the evening but it is always good. The candlelight, the message, the atmosphere, the everything.

As much as commercialism irkes any one of us, it is commercialism that helps the economy, not forgetting debts, but let's not go there, shall we?

It is amazing how the Sales starts earlier and earlier each year. I noticed some of the shops has started their Sales even before Christmas! It is the season of never ending shopping.

Shopping before Christmas. Shopping during Christmas. And Shopping after Christmas.

Yes, some online Sales starts midnight on Christmas. Great stuff ya?!

Just came back watching 'Enchanted'. TOH and I both mistakened it for 'Stardust'.

We thought 'Enchanted' was Stardust. Anyways, ten minutes into the movie, it was animation. We both were looking at each other! I was like 'sorry, I didn't know it was animation!'. But then all was revealed. And it was ahh.. 'Enchanted' I know which movie...

It was a good movie. I think Disney did it very well. How real life acting was almost the same as animation. Kudos to Disney! I can't help feeling a longing to go to any of the Disney theme parks during the singing/dancing scene in Central Park.

Oh well.. I gtg and continue coughing now..

rushrushrush

I almost crashed the computer!

Great…

Thank God, it was an ‘almost’. Not that I even am doing any work. Maybe it’s having too many internet browsers, and big Excel files opened.

I’m wondering at this moment what time should I have already left to get their hair done, go home, and whatsoever other reasons for going off early.

I’ve just been sitting here the whole day up until now doing up a travel calendar for TOH and me, for our weekends forward planning.

Price of train tickets is going up in the new year. The price jumped from £20 saver advance return to the cheapest available now at £47.10. That is a 100% jump!!! So much for hoping to get cheap tickets.

Had not much of choice, so I bought my January travel tickets - bus tickets. @_@

*sigh*

I think I’m feeling a little blue. Maybe I’m feeling a little left out.

Some female colleagues are excitingly planning to get together - get ready together at someone’s for tonight’s event. Not that I really want to get ready with them together but at least maybe to be roped into the conversation and share the excitement in the chitter chatters.

It’s funny in a way because I do try to mix and get to know people. It’s not often that you find a person that suits you perfectly, people who shares the same interests with you. People who get excited the same way as you.

Sometimes I feel so lonely.

Sometimes I wonder should I change just to fit in. But then I know I won’t be happy because it is not me.

Sometimes I believe that it’s okay to be different. Sometimes I wished I could fit in.

Funnily enough, sometimes I don’t really give a hoot whether I’m part of the ‘girls’ or not.

Women. We are so complicated. So much so that I couldn’t even understand myself.

Anyways on a happier note, I’m actually really looking forward to tonight.

I bought my dress from Jane Norman, found a way to zip up the dress by myself. I thought I was going to knock on my neighbour’s door to get them to zip it up for me or go to the party and get someone there to zip it up for me. Silly, I know.

However, I won’t deny that I will be handling my dress with care. I still think it is such a fragile dress. Honestly, I think this somewhat rather stressing experience buying from Jane Norman has really put me off buying their clothes again.

Did I mentioned that as lucky as I was that all of the six dresses on the rail are the same size that suits me, only one is good enough, well, the best among all. The rest either some thread has loosened, missing belt, kinked stitches, etc. So poor quality.

I also bought my very first pair of false eyelashes. I just hope I’m not going to take forever to put it on. Although it does say that it seems to be so damnblardie easy to put it on.

I bought some additional make up for my collection as well.

Can’t believe for someone who doesn’t really put much effort in making up, this is really exciting.

I’m the kind of jump-out-of-bed-into-the-shower-dash-off-to-work kind of girl. Don’t worry, I do wear clothes before I leave the door. I’ve also noticed that I will wear non iron shirts (cotton t-shirt variety), not my usual button down shirts, if I’m running late and haven’t done any ironing.

Goodness… too much information.

Anyways, I think I better get going. And I know it’s only 3pm!!! What a skiver!

p.s.: Just got invited to meet up with my team for a few drinks before the dinner! ^_^

postage

Royal Mail has this really cool service. You can print and buy postage online.

It is perfect for someone like me because I hardly am able to go to the post office during the week.

I don’t have much or any problems if I want to send normal mail within the UK. It is just a matter via first class or second class, and I normally have a few of those stamps handy.

And then I just pop it in the ‘outgoing mail’ tray in reception and it gets magically send away.

However, this time it was different. Sort of.

I was trying to get my Christmas cards sent. Does seem a little late, didn’t realised how close Christmas is!

Anyways, I wanted to print four postage on a page and then I realised that my cards don’t meet the minimum dimensions of 105mm by 148mm. What I had was either smaller than the dimensions or one side is smaller than the minimum size.

So I thought, I better call Royal Mail to make sure because I don’t know what are the implications if I don’t meet the minimum size. Checked out the website, and then found some numbers. Yes, there was a list of them.

I try to call the number closes to my needs, but I ended up calling almost every one of them. Most of them make me wait. But the most annoying thing that started my blood bubbling was there were so many options to choose from. But none of them are exactly what I wanted.

I don’t really mind those push button service. As much as I rather not go push button all the way, but that seems to be the norm nowadays. I can take perhaps two and maybe three levels of button option.

But it was different with Royal Mail’s phone service.

First you are greeted the usual, ‘welcome to bladibla… and thank you for calling us. Our calls maybe recorded for training and quality purposes.’ Then, something like this came next ‘do you know you can go online and…’ Yes, I do know but because I cannae find an answer to my question online, that is why I call you… Fine!

After that, there were five options to choose from. And then after pressing a button, you have another five or so options to choose from. Okay… And then another few more. I think there were close to five levels to choose from.

Then we you were told that ‘all our customer service assistants/assistants/or whoever are busy at the moment. If you like, you can go online…’ Great…

So wait wait wait…

Then it the following message will normally precede ‘thank you for waiting. Our customer services/assistants/whoever are still busy at the moment. Do you know that you can go online….’

Yes, I do know. And if the website can answer my question... *£%@$... Blood defo starting boil.

Wait some more, listening to the classical music that was on. It was a rather long wait. I know classical music is supposed to soothe me. But with every minute ticking, my patience ticked away further and my blood continued to boil.

Finally, after some transferring around and more options and more waiting later, I managed to get through to one guy. He was very nice and friendly. I had to be patient and kind because no point pouring my temper when it is not his fault.

In the end, he advised me to go the post office. I was like ‘I buy postage online because I can’t go there’. Nevermind. Still we managed to come up something and I can try sending with two first class stamps or a postcard stamp plus second class stamp combination for me to send card overseas.

Met up with TS and he was so sweet and brought me to the post office, which was luckily still open after 5:30pm! I still don’t really know very well where I am going around in Glasgow. I was so happy. I managed to send my cards sent away.

I wanted to put in a complaint to Royal Mail but as usual procrastination got the better part of me.

The next day, I went online to print postage for a parcel. It was interesting that I can get the Postal Declarations Form printed online as well. How cool is that?!

I’ve used the online postage service numerous times and I think it is a great service. Only you need to know the weight of the item you want to send out. Having a small scales will help but I’m lucky, I just go to the franking machine at reception and ask them to weigh for me.

If post office like the one in Melawati closes as 10pm at night, it will be excellent for people who are working or don’t work near a post office. As much as it would be nice that post office open until late at night, I’m sure it is not necessary the most economical.

Still, thank God for technology!

great annoyance

I am so annoyed damnblardie annoyed!

After weeks of not having the convenience of Freeview, I was looking forward to moving down my Freeview box and enjoy many many channels and hours of tv indulgence.

However, the first thing I found out is that the existing aerial lead socket does not fit into the Freeview box. Annoyance number one.

Right. I will just find an adaptor. In the meantime, thankfully the socket fits into the telly and I can still watch terrestrial channels, albeit fuzzy and not all crisp, sharp and clear. Bear with it.

Then, I went to Currys and bought an extension aerial cable with an adaptor. All I only wanted was the adaptor actually. Nevermind, that was what they had only. Fine. Went home tried the adaptor. But it didn’t fit!!!

It. Didn’t. Fit. Great! Annoyance number two.

Spoke to SR about it and he was really nice to provide me with a couple of adaptors to see if any one of them worked. Happily went home 150 miles (not immediately) and tried it. Nope. It didn’t work. More like, neither of them fit. Wonderful! Annoyance number three.

At that point, I just felt, right, instead of trying to hunt down this adaptor, I will just change the aerial lead socket. After all it does look a little old and it won’t be that expensive or difficult to get it.

Right. It is only not difficult to get it if you know where to get it.

Sadly, I only know where to get it in Aberdeen but not in Glasgow. So had to wait patiently until I’m back in Aberdeen.

Finally(!!!!!) last weekend, TOH and I went down to Nickle and Dime at Aberdeen Market to get the lead socket. This shop sells everything I tell you!!! Honestly. Well, more like anything that you can’t find elsewhere.

Anyways, happily bought two aerial lead sockets - one male, one female. Just in case. After all it is not expensive.

Happily I took my journey back home, all 150 miles. It was as if I’ve found the Holy Grail!! So chuffed!

After unpacking my bag on Sunday, I sat down on the carpet and get going changing the socket. I did see someone doing it before. It is not that difficult I guess.

But alas! I stopped short. Felt I better check out how to change it.

Went online. Googled it. And after fruitless searching (I can’t believe it was so difficult to find it) I finally found what I was looking for. So continued with what I had set out. Annoyance building up…

Once it was done, I excitedly switched on the Freeview box.

Nothing came up. Right.

Re-scanned the channels.

I waited with baited breath as the progress line on the screen kept moving but the channel found counter did not move. Great!

It says that there is no signal. Greeat!

Very annoyed at this point. Annoyance number four.

Called TOH and spoke to him. Had to share my annoyance.

TOH asked me to check the Digital UK website. Got the website, type in my postcode and this is what I got:

POOR RECEPTION
It is unlikely that you will receive any Freeview coverage at this time. Selecting an alternative transmitter above could affect the channels available to you.

Remember to check back later for the most accurate updates.

Can you believe it!!!

There is no signal here. Here in Glasgow!!!

The largest city in Scotland!

The second largest city after London!!!

Even though it is pointing at my area, but still. You can imagine my annoyance! This really took the icing of the cake.

Just to make sure, I typed in my Aberdeen postcode.

Lo and behold! There is digital reception there. All 56 channels!!!

This is unbelievable!

I can just feel my blood boiling!

It is unacceptable that my new area has no reception. If it is anything it should have better reception!

*Blood continue to boil…*

I have arranged for DetJA to come and have a look at the issue at hand.

Until then, keep breathing, breath in, breath out…

perception

What happened last evening was as good as your guess and mine.

Many times we are faced with situations that you really don’t know what is happening or why it is happening or even why it happened.

That was how I felt when The Big Guy, Mr. ComMgr, Mr. Planner, Mr. PM, LMM, and myself: ComQS had that discussion last evening. We even have the Rather Highest One in the conversation too!

I remember The Big Guy at one point say that we will stay here every evening to get the thing sorted even if it meant him buying fish suppers.

I hope that was not a serious comment! Although it sounded serious at that time. Don’t think I can have fish suppers every night.

There I was wondering my existence. Wondering why or what I was doing there.

It is the same with many issues in life. Why do you exist? Why and what are you doing here? What are you doing is it right? Or is it wrong? What’s next?

And amongst the heated discussion, all that crossed my mind was that I wanted to lie down there and then on the blue/grey/purpleish carpet and stare at the ceiling above me, letting the discussion and voices drift into something incoherent.

Naïve as it seems I just felt that if I own up or just take the blame of whatever the issue, it will go away. But that is the same with life, not everything will go away or solve by itself even if you own up to something, whether it is caused by you or not.

I just felt as if I just stirred a huge pot of shite. All was probably calm and peaceful before my presence. Mind you, this is not exactly the first pot I’ve stirred ever since started work.

Still rather confused with all that has happened, I spoke to The Big Guy this morning. It is still a work in progress but the way he said it was ‘it was an open and frank discussion’.

It wasn’t a bad thing after all. And the fact that he said it that way shows what a little perception can do wonders.

Mr. PM later said to me that it was a very good discussion as the problem has been there all along but the fact that it has been highlighted to the Mighty Powers Above making them realised that there is such an existing issue, is a step to change, a step to improvement, a step to solving an issue.

Pat on the back?

Hmm…

On the issue of perception, there once was this story I heard…

A boy once participated in a race in his school. There were only two participants to the race. He wasn’t the fastest. When he went home, he excitedly told his parents that ‘I ran in the race and I was the second one from the top!’.

Perception.

Is the glass half full or half empty?

Perception.

Guess at the end of the day, life is not as bad as it may sound. It is just a matter of perception.