What?!!! It's November already?!! It can't be!! I just remembered celebrating the new year. Wow...2010...another 10 years and we'll be able to see what Vision 2020 was all about. Will Malaysia achieve whatever it was supposed to achieve? I think only 0.01% of Msians actually know what is supposed to happen. The years seem to be rolling by like there weren't even there.

I, for one, will admit that I am not getting any younger. I thought I just turned 20 and now I'm closer to 30! Scarreeeyyyyy....

So the famous question Cheryl and I get asked all the time - "When are you getting married?"
 
My usual reply is "Soon"...
   ...while Cheryl usually shirks and points at me saying, "Ask him..."

I can't believe I've been in Malaysia for almost a year after spending 6 years in Melbourne. Work has been pretty good, God has been great! I cannot believe the blessings from Him in less than a year - way more than I expected. I think work has definitely matured me a lot more. I feel more responsible even though I am still a mess at home...my room is in dire need of a cleanup.

House here in USJ 2 has been under renovation for the past month. My weekends have been less than peaceful, I wake up to the sound of hammering, drilling and constant banging.

Today is more relaxed. Just running errands for my company - buying stuff, printing stuff for an event coming up next week. Work's gonna be hectic again soon...

How's your life?

Well, first 2 weeks of work have been anything but dull. Been a bit too exciting actually. Most of you already might have heard bout it, but I'm gonna blog bout it anyway! Haven't written much in a while.

First day of work started off like any other. Met some new people. Was supposed to report for duty at the HR department at 845am. Around 835am, my boss Schlaine walks in and greets me in her usual friendly manner (I met my boss before I started work, already knew I was gonna be under her). She requests for a quick 2 minute meeting, as she's rushing off for a meeting herself. Well, we get into the nearest conference room and she hands me some materiel to read in order to familiarize myself with the work I will be doing. Then right before she leaves, she says,"Oh, and we're going to Penang around 10am."

I was dumbstruck.

"Penang?", I said.

            "Ya, we decided to bring you along...so that you can better understand what we're doing here."

"....you mean like a crash course?"

           "Something like that ler...see you later k?"

And then she smiles and walks off.

Woots! 1st day of work and I'm off to Penang. It was a roadshow my team was running for the head region office there. We arrived in Penang around 4pm, just in time to start the presentation. By the time everything ended, it was around 8pm. By the time I got home, it was midnight. I called Eng Park who was still at work and we met for dinner at Asia Cafe.

My boss was gracious though. She told me not to bother going into the office till 11am the next day. That was nice.

On Tuesday, my boss headed for Terengganu and left me alone to finish up all my other HR processes etc.

On Wednesday, we (as in me too) heade for Ipoh.

On Thursday, we went around the Selangor region.

On Friday, my boss headed for Sabah.

Shiok...what a first week it was. At least I finally had some time on Friday to meet my other colleagues and gain a better understanding of what was happening in the LEAP30 programme of Maybank. Really thank God that the working culture in my office is really enjoyable. Everyone is really helpful and friendly (of course, there's always the odd one or two people who are a bit less friendly - God bless them!).

I just finished my 2nd week there and I must admit that it has been a steep learning curve. I enjoy the challenge and for some weird reason, still feel a bit under-utilized. I know there's more to come and I'm looking forward to it. God has been good.

On a more IMPORTANT note, I get to see my darling Cheryl again in just 2 weeks. It will be almost a month the next time I see her. I have really missed having her around for sure. Of course, not everything has been smooth-sailing but God has always helped us overcome obstacles in our lives and move forward. Love you dearie! You've been really patient, understanding and loving.

Parents have continually been supportive even though I really haven't been doing much around the house. My auntie has been really awesome in taking care of me at my workplace. She calls in every now and then to make sure that I'm ok and not being bullied. Haha! Feel like a small kid again! Mom is still in Melbourne taking care of sis leaving just dad and I to watch the house (I think I need to create less mess).

Finally, while things have been really full-on and hectic. I'm still trying to take the time to stop, ponder and cherish all the good things that God has done for me.

Thank God for this job. Thank God for the people who care and love me. Thank God for Cheryl Lee!

Praise God the job hunt is almost over and I am hoping to start working real soon. I'm very blessed not to be in a desperate situation where things are financially tight. I thank God for the opportunities that have come along and really look forward to greater things ahead. Truly, it has been a blessing that even a "freshie" like me is in some sort of demand. It's a miracle alone that some companies are still looking to recruit!

I know things already kinda look like "doom and gloom" with the financial crisis looming and all. We hear it everyday with people getting retrenched, sacked or laid off. Just read an article today about how an estimate of 9000 houses are foreclosed everyday in the U.S. since January '09. However, there is always room for optimism and God always promises a rainbow after the rain.

It's amazing how 2 months of 2009 have already flown right by us. It's almost March. Almost a quarter of the year has gone. It's a truly scary thought. I'll be heading off on a quick trip to Melbourne with my dearest Cheryl and parents. Then it'll be the start of work and what I call "the beginning of the end" (not like that's a bad thing).

I've got so many things I want to do. There are so many ideas in my head about the future, stuff I want to buy for my "home-studio", my things-to-do list....on top of that there's the actual problem of making enough money in order to finance some of these needs/wants. I gotta make a list...somehow...and try to prioritize what is most important to least important.


Note: Kindly avoid the following section if you're squeamish about mushy lovey stuff!



Sadly, this weekend I will be missing the company of my dearest Cheryl. I truly thank God for her. Thinking about it, she's truly remarkable - what with her constant travelling and all - while still finding that little time she has to serve God. Baby...you are a priceless gem! Miss you and love you!



Note: Ok, it's over!


Well, I must admit that I am trying to enjoy the last bits of my non-working life. So, in all honesty - yes - I've been watching the Champs League matches. I just couldn't miss the Arsenal-Roma clash. I was happy yet disappointing at the same time with that game...then again I've already given up on Arsenal this season - they've been hopeless.

And I'm hungry. Again. Personal mission - exercise! Rarrrr!!

Sorry...random rants at 5am. I'm sure most of you are just about to wake up in an hour's time or so. And while you're at work, I'm happily in very close fellowship with my pillow and bed. Zzz!



p.s. currently craving thai mango sticky rice!