End of year

Only few more weeks before this year ends. Time flies too fast without we ever realize it. If don't know about others, but I truly feel I had a productive year behind me, and more progressive year in front of me. Many is taking leave in this office, it is time for holidays. Christmas is just around the corner, and so do Aidil Adha. I have been planning quite a long holiday in weeks to come. Somehow those 'unhearted' management decided to freeze our leave just because several assessors wanted to come for like, 3 hours to our office. I do share their vision and mission to bring this company up to higher level, but please do not slaughter your employees by forcing them to stay in the office, including me. I may be here or may be not on that day. It is just so unfortunate the the assessors chose that day for us.

 

Anyway, my mom is at home today taking care of the kids. She was supposed to come to care for them tomorrow until Thursday evening, but my dad bought the ticket a day earlier. Extra time with granny. Hehehe. I'm going for outstation work for 3 days, I have not been out since last July? Too long in the office, and I am tired. This morning, I plan my work for the whole year, dividing it to four major sections, and you know what.. it doesn't matter whether I am here or not, other people can take care of my lab work while I'm gone. So, I'm gonna get that long-waited holidays and go outstation as much as I want because that's what my work is called for.

 

Have a nice week ahead!

Monday blues

I am a bit low today. Low in motivation to work despite that in reality, I will be having an important meeting with my potential collaborator in just an hour. I have not do any reading yet, neither writing out the spec. I am losing my focus. I had a bad weekend. My DH started to feel sick on Saturday and we have not come to a good agreement while sending out customers order. Sunday afternoon was a bad time for me. I hate travelling in the hot sun. My kids are becoming notorious with the Avanza. And this morning, I drove the green car with headache. They were jumping front to back and vice versa all the way to the office. I nearly loose my patience, yelled one or two times and they understood well that mommy is not having a good Monday! I'm losing my patience, I'm losing my focus. I hate when DH is sick which means I have to take care of everything on my own during the weekend, and last weekend was the third weekend he is sick with whatever fever, flu etcetera etc. I am tired, I don't know whether I can bear another weekend with a sick DH. Pls don't be sick again. I pray hard that he will get a new job, the current one is getting him sick all the time. I cannot hear the company's name which he is working because they are mean people, idiots running the company. And slowly it affect me in one way or another. I don't know whether I should shout or yell or cry on top of my lung, it is too stressful! Argghh!!

Lunch today..

Again, I sat down with the same 'kakak' from Finance for lunch. Everyone else was nowhere to be seen. Free lunch downstairs so everyone did not bother to pay for their lunch. Topics for today: salary and family. These days I do wonder why most people wanted to go out from this company, which I think a better ground than outside. Most of my friends, who are good and dedicated worker have tendered their resignation including this one guy who are extremely good at what he is doing. She said he was being 'underpaid'. The outsider pay him RM11K for his technical expertise. Wow! 11K. Extermely good offer from the Japanese. I wonder if I dare to go for an interview and breach my contract. Emm. Then came the family talk. She used to live in UK for 9 years and she has what I have in mind when I was in States. Migration. Perhaps I should consider that as an option when we both settle everything here. It is indeed our choice.

Hooray!

This week is a free week for me. Hehe. Not working on Tuesday, 2 hours shopping on Wednesday and endless Facebook updating today. I spent half morning on tender and the rest of afternoon collecting claims, promoting perfumes, sending catalogues et cetera. Two of my bosses areaway: one on holiday, another outstation. I am not the most-dedicated-worker in this office. I even scheduled a mini-briefing on Smart Shopping Club I help created during the 2nd week of December. Hehe. I'm a business woman. But tomorrow, the new beginnings. I don't
know why I am still here and been underpaid when I can get millions doing something else. Anyway, I settled the registration matters (but hv to take half day leave on Monday just to make sure everything is ok) and prepare plans for the bosses to vet thru tomorrow. I hope this year the mother company will give 3-months bonuses like they did last 2 years. Tomorrow, audit review and meeting the bosses whole day long. Hannah is not giving her presentation, I'm not sure if Nurul is ready for anything. Tomorrow shall be a better day for me, I hope.

Policies and Guidelines..

Today I am in a mood of total work on procurement process. I have been working since morning trying to finish up the specs to the collaboration when I stumbled upon differences between criteria, guidelines and policies. I have no legal background so this one really bugs me up until I found these statement from Bob Lauder in response to a question from his board. "My opinion is that if you try to establish criteria for when a guideline does and does not apply, you've created a policy." 

Yes, it is true and I agree with him. He has good point on how employers should try taking different approach when it comes to enforcing their employees on following policies and guidelines as what he has mentioned as follows:
"These are guidelines. They are designed to fit a wide range of situations, but not all of them. We expect you to use good judgment in deciding whether they apply to the specific circumstances you are dealing with. If you find yourself ignoring them most of the time, either your judgment is faulty or we need to change our guidelines. If you find yourself following them all of the time, you're treating them as policies rather than as guidelines, and need to apply your judgment to the situations you face, which is why we hired you instead of placing a robot in your chair."

Full answers to this question can be found here.

Smorty? Perfume?

I'm not sure how but it was rejected because there is no page rank on google. Haha. Of course it does not have any rank yet, I've just added the url to google last night. Urggh! I'm being victimised by the system. Anyway, I'll try again anyway. I am done with the work and now is finding new avenue to write more things that I like. I do like writing technical paper, when I have to but to write something that I really really love is a bonus to me. These few days I was busy searching for my frens. I found several of them from Facebook, invited more friends to join Facebook and another place called Yuwie.com where they claimed that they pay users for blogging, reading and networking (which I am doing it everyday). That Yuwie site is still in Beta version, quite cool networking site but I discard the idea of our own layout (I hate dark, or too colourful layout). Maybe they will pay me more if I use the site often.

I'm trying new perfume, Still from JLO and Touch of Pink from Lacoste. They were not new perfume, but new to me. I read few articles on how to choose your perfume and getting your signature scent. I can't recall any of my friends that I remember from their perfume. One thing I know that as a Libran, I am inclined to combination of Citrus, Lime, Spice, Amber and Musk. And fortunately, Glow from JLO line came up when I searched for this combination. I'm selling perfume essences from designer brand perfume, no problem for me to get a new perfume by Friday, this coming Friday. Hehe. Can't wait for Glow to arrive at my office. After half an hour, I think Still is quite nice, but I still prefer Burberry. Maybe I should try Burberry Brit from Burberrys next time. Oh ya! I read that Just Me from Paris Hilton really her scent. Maybe I can try too, who knows one day I'll inherit some fortune like her.

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Best Regards,
Noradlina
http://rafdina.blogspot.com/

Legally blind

I admit that I am one of those who did not care about legal matter in
anything that I do, because I did not deal with those legal things.
Unfortunately I misunderstood that sometimes your past action does
matter whether you like it or not. This evening my husband was very
unfortunate that he was given ticket for failing to renew his
motorbike roadtax, which we unintentionally forgotten that it was due
last week. Silent tonite, no talking whatsoever. Gonna find some
solution within this week but I need to give some space first before I
start talking.

Btw, Nabilah's procedure today was quite successful. After an hour
trying to put her down to sleep on her hospital gown, I was exhausted.
She slept but as soon as th nurse took out her EMLA plaster, she woke
up and started crying. Her Supergirl's side took over, and we need 3
nurses to hold her to make sure Doc can prick her lesions. I was like
crying too. Luckily I left Najihah at the nursery. If not, she must be
terrified seeing her sister like that. I pray hard that those tiny
lesions will go away within a week.

Long-lost friend

I found several of my long-lost friends through Facebook which was terribly awesome. One of them had a baby recently, I saw his picture holding his son (or maybe his second son?). I last met him in London, Easter holidays 1997 when I was asked to be a debator in one of inaugural debate competition among sponsored students. He was the most brilliant guy in my batch but somehow, I lost in touch (or perhaps he was lost?). Thru him, I found another two friends, one in NY and another in Minnesota, I think. Then I met two chic ladies (whom I knew thru Ivy in 1996 while we were in Coventry), one is working with Oil & Gas company and another is working at Angola for Schlumberger. I was esthatic to met them again, although in cyber space, it is enough for now. I hope to meet few more long-lost friends that I have been looking for since I left my undergrad school.

Spring Cleaning..

Last Friday, I had hard time focusing on my work because of the morning incident which lead me to clean up my room once again. I was nearly promoted to be a lead auditor in one of my company intiatitives for organised and clean workplace (5S that is!). I thought better start now than later, I will be having an audit in a month. Anyway, I had a great weekend minus the girls tantrums at night (they were too tired to sleep), with my family. This morning, I felt like a new beginning for my working day with a cleaned room and organised desk. I think anyone out there who felt bored with their jobs and sluggish, don't know what to do or too tense to do work, go clean up your room. It is a good theraphy for me.


--
Best Regards,
Noradlina
http://rafdina.blogspot.com/

Grrr..

I was pissed off by a junior this morning.. and still feel it until
this moment. It is 2 o'clock in the morning. I could not tell anyone,
my husband was so tired, and the kids were having their bad day too.
So, here I am. Writing my blog in the morning. Haha! Well, I seldom
complaint unless it is very very necessary and disturbing my life.
Last two days we were having this so-called rountable meeting to
discuss important projects to carry out next year. As usual, I am the
chosen one to do coolie work on reporting. Yesterday I stayed back
until half past six in the evening to finish up the report. I was
assigned an assistant but unfortunately he does not know anything to
do. Kept asking me to show simple things like how to write the Q&A.
And he even thought that we take minutes by writing it down on paper!
Argghh! I was not sure why my boss assigned him for this important
meeting. Anyway, all well and done, I did the report on my own. He
took very little note on the final remark of the workshop. Today, the
boss asked for a urgent-to-be-done-today for the report. In less than
15 minutes I have to check on a draft letter and series of
presentations. He told me to ask this junior to help me. I was running
out of time, my meeting in 15 minutes so I called up this guy and gave
him series of instructions on the work. He said back to me 'the boss
asked you to do this? I cannot do this anymore, I had done this so
many times, he has to give me time to do my research' arrogantly! He
is just few months in this office of research, and have not had any
real project or services. All I am asking is like half an hour of his
time to check, print and compile. I was like burning mad that time,
gave him few stern word on 'working on research'. He shut up and
helped me out, but he printed out on the wrong layout and did not
understand what a cover means. Damn it! Why he was chosen to be the
assistant? He ruined my day because I hate to give stern word on
anyone even my subordinate but telling me that he was not suppose to
do odd job other than studying and researching was out-of-my-patience.
I have been helping the boss since I started working here but never
complaint on why I have to do this, and that. I know that that is part
and parcel of working. Clerical jobs, odd jobs etc.. I just hope that
someday he will understand that by doing those coolies' jobs will make
him more reliable, multitasking and independent researcher. Ha! Felt
better now that I wrote this thing out. Should go to sleep now. Nite!

--
Best Regards,
Noradlina
http://rafdina.blogspot.com/

At Last..

I have been up and down for the past two months. Right after my latest proposal was approved in July, I became stagnant. Maybe because of exhaustion after organizing the so-called international big event at Port Dickson (I have not sent in the report yet!). It was dangerous to me, and I fully realized it today when I started keying in my planning for the project. I have big potential of running in late if i continued to become stagnant. But how can I move faster when I have only two hands and one brain? Focus, focus and focus. That's exactly what Sayed Danish adviced me now and then. I need to focus my energy and channel it to the right way. Not wondering about things here and there. I want to make a million in 5 years, I want to have my PhD before my 40th birthday etc. I have many dreams, but I need to realize it one by one. So, today, I quickly stashed my plan to go shopping (again!) and sit down at my desk finishing the planning sheet. I went down to see my boss and asked for the form I have given him one week before. Got it back from him and I started packing the rest. I will bring back the application form, fill in tonight and send it out tomorrow to the Registrar. Tomorrow morning, I will be on standby for the presentation. I hope I don't have to go in there for the third time just to ask permission to use the money for what it has been budgeted for. I really really hope that they do understand that I need to move on and be someone that I dream to be. I always told my beautiful toddlers that they can dream whatever they want to dream, because I say, if you stop dreaming, you will stop living. My dreams, my goals, will come true one day.

A new day has come... truly agree with you Celine!

Rushing..

Today is my Rush morning day! I was rushed to check 3 letters in 10 minutes, typed in my project tracking form in an hour (which has many empty spaces to fill in) and was rushed back home to get my daughter's baju kurung because she will be having a performance in an hour. Too rush today, I guess. And I did not get my breakfast too, but thanks to Bio-Enzymes I can still take in hunger till the next hour because I will be going to my office Hari Raya Party. Gosh! What a day! After lunch, I will take things slowly because it is not good for my digestive system. Haha. I have been waiting response for my Facebook Grow-a-Gift Community Manager but none came in today. I applied on Monday. Maybe it is too soon. Yesterday we were at the hospital for like never-ending half a day session because Nabilah's lesions need treatment. We need to come again for the 3rd visit in 2 weeks, there goes my Medical allowances. I am grateful that the company is very generous to let us see the specialist. If not, I will take scissors, sterile it and cut her lesions myself. Duh!

Next: Gathering for NabilaHouse Smart Shopping!

I do not know why but I was annoyred when they asked me to prepare another set of presentation to the Board for me to get the fund. I was there up twice just to make sure it was done and then, I was asked to do that again. Need to standby some more. Taking a day off tomorrow, Nabilah got to get her chicken-pop removed.. emm.. another cuti day for me.. entah bila lah can focus on the project..

Facebook rocks!

Recently, I was introduced to Facebook.com by Sayed Danish Ahmed whom I thought is one of the most inspired motivational speaker. I added my profile to Facebook and found many of my long lost friends (seniors and such). It was an enjoyable experience to start with, to fill in voids in my social inter networking which usually revolves around my circle of friends at work. I invited most of my friends, but it seems that not everyone is interested in sharing what are they doing everyday with everyone in Facebook. Then, I found I got Facebooked by anyone in the system, which I don't really care because I don't mind being friends with anyone. I got my virtual Aquarium, Garden, and being a supporter for Green Book. I can give my friends a gift which usually I cannot afford to do so. Cool applications and so much more to share with my friends. So, let's Facebook!

Note: I've just created NabilaHouse Smart Shopping Group at Facebook.com to discuss tips and trick for shopping smarter.

Attitude..

I went to see a researcher in Uniten today, which happened to be my junior in Uniten last time. I remembered him vividly because he was the one who worked hard during MPP campaign and very active first year student in Student Movement. I am glad that he excelled in his work and now tutoring younger students of Uniten. I even met the master's student who robbed my time for almost a week to help him with the data compilation. They stayed in the same room. A big one, like our Board Room. Three young researchers sharing one big room. All well and good, we finished the discussion and moved on. N wants to meet her friend next door so I followed. We were talking about home and family when suddenly work became the centre issues. She' was my senior (one semester senior) during undergraduate school and she happened to be one of the most brilliant student during that time. When it came to working she expressed herself as if she did not like what she do at the moment (teaching and researching) and doing it just because she has nothing else to do. A totally different picture of a person whom I looked high during my undergraduate and now, I do not know what to think of her anymore. I felt at that moment, I am better in terms of motivation to do my work than my two other friends while we were talking and I just shut my mouth and brain not to decipher anymore negative messages. I used to complaints a lot about salary and benefits that I got while doing all dirty jobs that no one else want to do. But it was over in just a few weeks because I regained composure and my obejctives of working. Now I understand why some poeple say 'If you want to be successful in whatever you do, choose your friends wisely'.

Makes sense, isn't it?

--
Best Regards,
Noradlina
http://rafdina.blogspot.com/

Blocked

I notice something these past few days. I could not upload big files to the net. Yesterday the ICT ppl remind everyone not to download or upload things from YouTube and also not to use chatting channel during working hours. I am using Webmessenger at Yahoo just to get in touch with colleagues from overseas and also to update my husband on important thing which need urgent decision. What is wrong with that? they may not want the employees to continue chatting during working hours but isn't it a good thing if we can reduce operational costs on telephone bills? I am one of those who did not like to provoke anyone but neither I am a follower. I will do what I think good for me and the company. Life is not always fair.

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Best Regards,
Noradlina
http://rafdina.blogspot.com/

I have just finished one special assignment given by my boss yesterday afternoon. A short one but I spent the whole morning formulating it. Not sure what to put in, like finding missing pieces in a big puzzle. Luckily I won't be presenting, he will. Both my eyes are sore, need to rest and think. I want to share something about cosmetics with you gals out there.

I seldom use cosmetics during working days. That makes me a plain Jane in the office compared to other people. I like moisturiser but not make-up. But this week I make it a point to wear compact powder.. a whitening compact powder to be precise.. because my face is getting older by years. Three years ago, when I went to Wales for training, a lady asked me whether I am below 16 years old. When I say no, I was 26 that time with a baby, she was stunned becaus my skin looked younger than my age. But, if she sees me now, she will think I am 10 years older than I am supposed to be. Anyway, my skin became darker when I went to site last week. So, I bought the L'elan Vital Whitening 2-way foundation to cover up my darker face. After a day, I noticed nothing bad happen to my face .. Hehe.. Lucky me.. I can see some part are getting fairer after 3 days application. I am hoping that it gets back to the original color by Hari Raya.

Well, half past two already.. there will be a talk at the hall but I'm not going to go anyway. Got tons of work to finish up before the day ends. Tomorrow will be another tiring day for me because I have to cook so much to entertain my cousin again.

What a weekend for me.. *sigh*..


--
Best Regards,
Noradlina
http://rafdina.blogspot.com/

ESOS

I meant to sell my share last month but they forgot to print out my form. Poor me. Left with only 9.70 top for TNB ESOS. Last time I sold at 12.00 on the dot before the market went down for about 1-2 months. I was hoping to cover my earlier expenses on perfume and diapers; and make some profit out of it. Look like I will get only a few hundreds to save or spend. Emm..

How to know when is the suitable time to sell your share? Check this out.

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Best Regards,
Noradlina
http://rafdina.blogspot.com/

Why mad?

Yesterday, my husband decided to go to Pasar Ramadhan at Taman Semarak Nilai to find some 'kuih-muih' for break fasting. I usually don't make any sweet savoury pastry because I already cooked 2-3 dishes in the afternoon. Too tired to stay in the kitchen for another hour. So, we went out. The girsls are happy, we are happy. Then came the maroon Avanza. An old man wearing head cover (like a 'serban') with baju melayu and kain pelikat parked his car right in front of us, which is a street corner near a traffic light. Beside the car is another car waiting for the traffic light to turn green. We wanted to go to the left, so, since the Avanza was blocking us, my husband honked him and gave warning sign that he cannot park at the corner. The old man was not satisfied that he waited until we came near him as we want to go to the Pasar Ramadhan. He stopped my husband and scolded him for honking at him. My husband, said politely that his car was blocking ours and it is not ok to park at the corner. The old man start yelling and 'ikut suka aku-lah' came into picture. My husband, being quite hot tempered with no-manners old man, started to yell but somehow we walked past through him who started to spit out to my husband. Counter attack from my husband got straight onto his face! Hahaha. The old man has no-manners at all. Pakai je serban, tapi perangai macam setan. When he started to yell again, I looked back and said right to his face "Pakcik, kami cuma kata pakcik tak boleh parking kat situ. Kat situ kan corner, mana boleh parking. Susah orang nak lalu lalang. Pakcik ni apesal?" Then, I walked away quickly from him. Silly old man, I wish you can accept your fault and be a better man in your next life.

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Best Regards,
Noradlina
http://rafdina.blogspot.com/

Saturday at home..

We usually go out during weekend. Picking up and sending out diapers, visit my brother at Subang Jaya or just driving around town, but last Saturday, we stayed home. My cousin came for project consultation from my husband. Fair enough, final year student without much knowledge to do her paper work for research. I was only listening and looking but my husband was the one who had big headached. A research paper presentation due in two weeks, and she has no clue how to go about it! She has quite handful of data but no model to start with. Big mistake! No wonder her proposal was rejected few times. Sadly, her lecturer is not competent enough to advise what should be done to make it right. Anyway, my daughters were very happy to see their two-cousins, and they had enjoyable time looking at commuter train when we send her back to the station. She will be coming again next Saturday to finish up the analysis. Another Saturday at home. Fasting month, better stay home. *grin*

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Best Regards,
Noradlina
http://rafdina.blogspot.com/

Appraisal..

This week is appraisal week. Everyone is busy catching up with his or her bosses for appraisal. As for me, I have quite a handful of bosses to catch. Most of us was outstation early of the week. So, when I came back from Kuantan on Wednesday, I received a call from a familiar voice, 'Have you done your appraisal? You have some KPI with me. Please prepare the form". Oh no! I totally forgot that some of important KPI were under him. While waiting for my turn, few colleagues before me was actually in hot spot because this particular boss need all details and evidence to support the appraisal. Well, fair enough but isn't it that we have shown everything continuously? She took like 4 hours to finish her appraisal. I was the last for the evening, almost half past five when everyone was heading home. I went to see him, quickly brief him on changes done and I even said that I think that I don't deserve anything less than average for all my KPIs. I was not sure why but he gave me quite an exepected results and remarks. I hope no one misunderstood his judgement because I deserve all credits given by him. People may think that I am one of those people who favour his leadership action. But no, I did complaint sometimes and I did voiced out my dissappointment against his action. Only most people will see that being his assistant for past three years made me understand his point of view more than other people understand him. He is a good mentor, and I hope he will turn back into technical track for more research work. However, having people like him in the management team is also good as they would understand our constraints and needs, more than people who did not have any experience doing research.

One thing that I hope he understand that he cannot control us like sheep (not that he did that to us.. just an example). We are dedicated to our work and will strive to do the best. Being a researcher before he climbed the management post, he should understand us better. I sincerely hope he will take my view into consideration. I will not heavily complaint on what I was asked to do, but some day I hope I have someone to share the load and eventually someone to back me up when I was not around.

Hope he will understand.

I ate my lunch alone today. There are people tiling the floor outside the cafetaria and I watched them aimlessly. My mind wanders on things that has just happened to me just before lunch. I was busy briefing my customers on the service reports and also, busy listening to the numerous complaints on the system that I was hold responsible into. My brain was tired and what I could do just listen. I listen to them and at the end, I did ask them to write a complaint letter to my bosses so that action can be taken. I was tired hinting that I need more people to work on the system, and please do not just putting the blame on me. I walked out from the room frustrated but still managed to put smile on my face. I don't deserve this actually. People before me never took note on their complaints but somehow I am always the scapegoat. Back to the tiling work, I bet they are happier doing tiling work than me. I am not happy with what's happening with me now. I don't have any choice to choose from. I rather be in their shoes than in my own but what difference will it make? I am still me, not them. People will still looking for me to blame not others who does not pay attention to my complaint. This world in unfair. Being a Libra, I am suffocated!

Feel like crying but no tears though.. *sigh*..

Last night, I watched Desperate Housewives rerun on the episode where Bree married Olson, her second husband. There was one part that worth mentioning here where Lynette complained about his husband and the friend (I forgot her name) said ' You can do this, there are marriages which are meant to stay forever and yours is one of them'. How true is that statement. Even though many of us, including me sometime frustrated on our spouses but the ultimate point is whether both of you truly love each other or not. If one of you is not in the same boat, then maybe the marriage was not meant to be forever and you or your spouse should move on. But why did you stay? Think deeply and maybe, love is the reason.

Am I getting enough?

Now I set a limit to open my email inbox: 0900, 1100, 1400 and 1700 hours. Four times a day is enough. I always spend too much time reading and replying emails because most of them are related and most of them are interesting to read or reply. But things must change for me to work efficiently. So, I decided 4 times are more than enough.

So, at 1100 hours I opened my email and found interesting email from my boss. He has sent me a file which consist of everyone salaries in the office. I was supposed to only look at the budget section which I am most interested at in the first place. But I cannot stop myself from scrolling the list of names with their current salaries (yes, their CURRENT salaries!) in front of my eyes. Well, what can I say, for some of them, I think they are well deserve high pay and remuneration provided by the company. But, for some others, I felt so much anger because they are overly paid compared to what they bring to this company. Well, they have been working for so long and maybe that is why they have higher salaries. However, I strongly believe that your work must be comparable to what you contribute to the company, the people inside it and the organization as a whole. Some earned as high as seven thousand ringgit just to hear them complaining their workload (which I think it is too light!), backstabbing other people and handing over his or her job to others who earned lower than him or her. Very unfair!

I recalled a year ago when I left for the States to change air. I tried as much as I can to provide every detail for my successor so that she can carry on without many problems. She attended training while I'm gone (which I did not get when I was working because no fund for my training). All well and good. Then, when I went back to work, things are still in the old condition only the room changes (more beautiful that is!) a bit but the level of proficiency is still the same. My technician still on the old level when I left them. Many things I left was not done. The reason being, no one can take the work up to a standard that I would bring it too. I took all the responsibility which I left for someone else to do while I was away, again and persevered. Something went terribly wrong just because I was at the wrong place at the wrong time but I took the responsibility to answer and make 2-inch face in front of the customer. While the others silently moving away. And most of all, I believed I was not paid equally to what I contribute. This week is assessment week, but I do not know whether I will get benefits from the assessment or the upper level people will evaluate and simply put it as 'bell curve' thing.

 The sad thing is, I won't be able to run away or resign from the company because of many things that tied me to it forever like loans and contracts, unless I got millions of dollars in one blink. Then, bye-bye forever. Life is unfair when it comes to money and benefits for employees like me.

Merdeka weekend..

I had a great time relaxing and eating good food at my in-laws in Kemaman. We endured a massive traffic jam on the way out to East Coast on Thursday night after work. Our Avanza was like a snail crawling from Jln Kuching to Plaza Tol Gombak but suprisingly the journey only took us 3 1/2 hours from Gombak to Kemaman (despite of the usual 5 hours drive) thanks to the new East Coast Highway which ends at Jabor (at the moment). The kids were fast asleep the whole journey which added to our excitement of chatting and sharing office gossip during the drive (just to make sure that my husband is wide awake the whole journey.. hehehe). We arrived around midnight and saw people were busy celebrating Merdeka in town. The whole weekend was spent reading newspaper, playing with the kids, eating various Terengganu style delicacies (my mom-in-law made Nasi Dagang) and also shopping. I had to buy a new Baju Kurung Riau.. yes, Riau indeed.. to attend a family event i.e. my husband's cousin's daughter 'bertunang' ceremony. Three days with no work to attend to and problems to think about. It was really Merdeka celebration to me.

 

The journey back was not that smooth since it was raining heavily from Karak to KL. We started at half past two in the afternoon and only arrived at our house around 8 pm. I watched two episodes of Ghost Whisperer, which was a bit unusual because the drama was scarry to me, before went to sleep. After 3 days rests, today will be a new week for me.

 

Happy Merdeka everyone!

I went to hair salon and got my hair cut this afternoon. The price - RM13! The last time I went to the salon was like a year ago and the price is still RM10, the most is RM12 because my hair was a thick one back then. I was quite suprised actually. I am not an economist but I think the inflation rate is going up. How many percent? I don't know.. hehehe.. Lunch with my husband and got tummy ache for eating quite a lot. Well, I did not have proper lunch for like a week.. almost everyday on packed fried mee hoon and nasi lemak from my daughters' brerakfast. How pathetic I was.. emm.. should be more careful with my time management.. I still want to search for a good sewing machine and have my baju kurung if I cannot have my shopping-spree this month.

 

Side note: He found out about the ESOS I have planned to cash in this September. Hehe. There goes my plan. Ermm. Will wait until after Merdeka to sell the shares and finance my small home business selling Perfume Essence and Imported Diapers.

--
Best Regards,
Noradlina
http://rafdina.blogspot.com/

Victory at Last..

For the past weeks, I have not been sleeping very well, 3 am was a normal time for me most of the days esp during the weekdays and sometime weekends. The stress was too much on me to finish up the simulation report. At last, at 6 pm yesterday the report was finalized and settled. Hooray! One burden off my shoulder. Finally I can go to my office and have a cup of Lingzhi coffee to enjoy.. Hehehe.. The last time I drink my coffee calmly was like a month ago.. emm.. I should celebrate this small victory by ordering a new baju kurung for Hari Raya.. or better still, buy a manual sewing machine so that I can sew my own clothes as well as my husband's and children. It will take lots of money to just 'tempah' your traditional clothes at tailor shop today. Just imagine, a simple baju kurung will cost you like RM40 (which is my toll and lunch money for two weeks). Crazy.

I have finished 3 important tasks this year - the seminar, the service and the technical reports for 2 projects which I became the team member. I hoped to get at 'Meet Expectation' rating for my immediate, at least for what I have done. Above all, I truly 'bersyukur' to Allah the Almighty for His blessing and guide that put me in what I am today. Also, for my husband's support and children understanding that their mak is not an ordinary working mother which can come home at 5.30 sharp all the time.

The journey is still long.. but it has begun. Hope I'll reach the destination with flying colors.

Side note: My husband will be registering his Masters study at UM this month. As for me, the Board paper for doing Masters by research project was approved yesterday, which was a great news for me since I already have a new project approved specially designed for Post Graduate studies in November 2007. Sounds like we both will be busy at least for another year with academic studies.

Grouses..

It does not help if you were asked to do something by someone and at the end you were blamed for this and that thing that you do not know initially. Yes, its true and it happened to me recently.  Well, I was not blamed but nearly victimised by the end user because of things not written on the paper. After all said and done, my weekend will be ruined. Last night, I stayed up until 3 o'clock in the morning to start some correction, and will have to continue doing that at least for another night. I was awaken by my husband at 5 o'clock when he was searching for my eldest daughter and he asked me what time I went to sleep.. 'Three..' I said and I went back to sleep. He knew that another horror week for me has started. I need to remind myself again and again that my family is my number one priority and whatever action that I take will effect them more than anyone else I am working with.

I will send the birthday card today - rain or shine. And call on Monday, no matter how busy I will be next week. My father's and brother's birthday will be on Monday, 27th August 2007. Cheerios!

I am lucky..

I am lucky today that I did not meet my bosses in Alamanda. I went there to buy groceries but it happened that I exceed the time limit (I was supposed to be in the office at 2 p.m.. I arrived at five minutes past 3 pm.. hehehe..). I asked my friend where she had been.. to my surprise she said 'Alamanda'.. o-ohh.. where exactly I asked her.. Manhattan Fish Market.. fuhhh, lucky me.. I was searching to my daughter's toothbrush while they are having lunch.. hehehe.. sweet escape.. I better watch out next time.

p/s: I also bought the new Cherry Pink Lip & Nipple Cream.. so far so good on my lips ;)

Something to think about..

Sometimes I was too involve in something that makes me forget I have several people deserve attention more than anyone in my circle of life. They are my children, my parents and most of all, my beloved husband. I won't tell much about what's going on with him, but deep in my heart I know that he is just being himself. He was brought up in a fairly good environment, with trains of siblings and just enough for everyone kind-of-life. I hate to admit that he was the one I truly envied throughout my journey in seeking further education and research. Sometimes I do think that I deserve a better partner but to think about separating is way beyond my will. I was tired after a week of sleepless nights and complaints from main customers but that does not make me
deserve to be treated more than him at home. He has issues to deal with, especially with his bosses and so do I.

After reading an article of something like " you can avoid separation and get closer to each other'', I know we are still in good condition. We can play with our children happily, still breathing after few heated arguments, sharing anger and frustrations over un-deserved human beings in the office and so on. Having different line of expertise (he's a planner with money in mind, I am a planner with machine in mind), made me think that we complement each other more than we should. There are times that I hope I can seek advice from him for my 'broken' machine at the office but I know that if I get it from him directly, there will be no sense of accomplishment in my work. Being me, who has always been so-called spoon fed up till my secondary school. Well, not directly but most of the time. So, the 'nice guy' will have to in stored somewhere else, or will be used only for imagination or to be one thing that I look for to get
rid of my Monday morning blues. My most inspired person will still be my husband and my children. Full stop.

Again..

Again, I am feeling quite trouble to go for work. It was raining, heavily. By the time the rain stops and drizzle, my eldest daughter was ready to go but her sister still sleeping. Without much hesitant I woke her up and soon we were quarrelling on the small umbrella that she was
carrying. Monday blues again.

I don't know why but Nabilah is quite disturb nowadays. One minute she can laugh and sing, another minute she will cry and shout for something unpredictable. I hate being a mean mother but I do have to discipline her in one way or another. I hope I did not do too much. The unusual
thing is her sister, Najihah, will behave very well when seeing her sister in trouble. I am not in favour to any of them, I treat them equally. Maybe Nabilah was in transition of understanding that her sister will grow up and become better than her. She may be jealous, I don't know. I love them both and never ever put barrier between them.

The good thing is, I met the nice guy again. But he, too, seems troubled today. Not quite happy as I saw him last Friday. Well, our servers went dead for half an hour. A good start for Monday morning. Sat down for an hour at the lab to troubleshoot. I hate unplanned downtime :(

Updates..

I must say this, Blogging through email is faster and nicer. I will be updating everytime I feel like I need to wind down and write things down.. thumbs up for Email blogging :)

--
Best Regards,
Noradlina

Genuine Luxury Items Sold for Only $1!
http://www.AmazingOneDollarAuction.com/home/X613147
(email me at auctionec@gmail.com for more info)

Courtesy counts..

When it comes to accepting blames and accusation, not everyone favor in accepting their faults. I, myself admit that I do not want to take risk accepting unjustified accusation but somehow when it comes to your work, you have to be strong and just bear with it (even though you don't have control over it). It happened to me once, and I did whatever I could to make things right again.

If anyone read my thoughts on couple of days ago, you will know what I mean. The issue was closed but I was hoping for closure from the person himself. But someone else came forward and sent me a courtesy note with apology on behalf of the whole unit. A credit to this guy, who happened to be my next door neighbour and has always been helpful in any way he can. I just hope that the 'boss' will take lessons from this guy (who is his subordinates) and learn a thing or two about courtesy.

I started locking the door thing morning. Action must be taken. Case closed.

Testing..

First time trying to update my blog through email..

It helps to talk...

I have not been writing for quite some time. I think the last one was in March, and now it is August. Time flies so fast. I will write more now that I know I cannot cope with external writing assignement anymore but I still need to write.

Just this morning, someone ruined my day. The so-called Audit was merely a hipocrite thing to do in this office. I was blamed on things that I have no controlled over. I stormed out of the lab and seek my immediate but he was not in. I went to my friend's but she was away. I went back and start writing my unfinished emails to a customer. One after another, I still feel some anger over the matter. I went to see my boss, but he was away. Today is a meeting day, no wonder no one was here except me. I was busy with reports and consequently made a victim by unreliable Safety Officer. Huh!

Then, another friend called, come and do your work in the office if you need to, she said. I quickly went downstairs and within minutes I was talking to her on my grouses and complaints which she also experienced the similar things yesterday. I felt like a heavy burden was lifted from me. Talking made me sane, and keep me focus.

I missed talking to some of people in this office because they are too busy, have more responsibilities and other weak link to take care about. Thinking of that, I have gone through quite a bit of transformation of a hidden 'closet' to a notable place to work for. Talking has made a bit of my dream comes true. Perhaps more self-discipline will lead me to get everything in place before I leave again.

To be Rich or not to be Rich...

There are many get rich quick schemes that are hiding underneath MLM banner to attract more customers which eventually realize that they have been conned. Many reasons why people are looking into get rich quick scheme compared to conventional MLM business but one most important reason is that they get rich by the first month, double by the second and so on. Actual thing that happens behind the scene is that, they need to find more people who think just like then to make sure that the income stays and they will not cry in the middle of the night thinking about their loss.

One good friend of mine, started out as a young engineer with promising career on material engineering but somehow with lack of support and motivation, be it monetary or spriritually, he decided to call it quits and join an MLM that promise him a double income for first month. He did not have to fork out a hefty sum of money or anything. He took a loan, claimed that the business has MoU with bank to finance the business and managed to buy a Mercedes after his 5th month in the business.

All well and good, I was promoted to join but hesitantly at first agreed to join. Somehow along the way my friend made a mistake to fake my application form for loan which he submitted without my consent. I cancelled the deal straightaway considering that this guy did not think twice about integrity. A fair decision I guess in addition to several bad aura I had while dealing with him to join in the business. People were talking in the office but a few did believe in the money and benefits that the business will bring in. The true MLM will not force its people to buy lots of stock. Even though you are selling water filter that is needed in almost every household in this country, still it is overly price. The marketing scheme always stressed on finding other people to invest about RM25k to join but not on the products quality and service that they offer. It is merely a business strategy to sustain in this challenging competing world but the reality is, only 1% will truly succeed and they are always at the top.

I am glad that the ‘aura’ saved me from being ‘eaten’ by those ‘sharks’.

More for Less?

There are no people in this world who does not like to have lots of money. If there is, I think, it is only a mere 5% from the whole population. I do not fall into this group of noble 5%. Not to say that I am not a noble woman, but in reality, everyone needs money to live. Being a government linked company employee, my salary is just enough to get through to the next month. It is quite difficult to live in luxurious manner. Everything must need to be calculated and budgeted. If I try to do impulsive shopping just once in that month, I will be in trouble for the next two or three month. That’s how difficult it is to be in a position I am right now. For today, I want to share my newly found experience talking to one of my colleagues about getting rich the fast way – Fast Forward route as in Amazing Race.

I accidentally knew about his resignation from my audit. Someone told me that he’s going to run a business. Impressive. I envy him because running a business is not easy. You have to have capital and time to really strategize your business. Otherwise, the company will go down the drain just a matter of time. Then, someone junior from me knocked on my door and said that he got a lifetime opportunity to share with me. Being polite and nothing urgent to do that day, I listened to his talk. It is Network Marketing with big investment up front. I asked that he came back with my colleague to really explain the concept and how can I get rich being in the program.

It is another MLM but within a reputable company selling Chinese herb which is in KLSE second board. Impressive again. My colleague already got his double figure income after 4 months joining and this junior is waiting for the first five thousand cheque from the company. Should I join? I want to be rich like them too. Well, after the first discussion, I thought I am interested but still has a doubt on the investment. Twenty thousand is not little. It is a huge commitment. I need to be aware that if I cannot recruit anyone who is willing to spend twenty thousand to buy lots of water filter units, I get nothing. Zero. Oh well, worth a try since he said I can ask for loan. I am blacklisted, can I get a loan? Yes, I can ask from a cooperative agency. Ok, fill in the form like a zombie. Do I need to tell my husband? Good idea. Asked him and he said my colleague needs to come by our house to discuss the idea. That was the starting point.

I was a bit skeptical because the day I found about the opportunity to get rich quick but with huge investment, my husband started feeling sick. My daughters are having diarrhea and vomited few times a day. Sickness was a bad sign. My husband was sick when he listened to my colleague explanation on the marketing. That was another bad sign. I signed anyway, thinking that all these were coincidence. Everyone can fall sick after a hectic week of meetings and discussions plus cold winds in the morning. After a week, came another news, my loan was rejected because the company I am working week was blacklisted with the cooperative for being late payor. That was another sign. I signed another paper to ask for loan from another cooperative. I have a bad feeling about this.

The ultimatum came from my husband. Stop the agreement to join. We will not waste our time or energy with this anymore unless we have enough capital to join without having to ask for a loan. So, that’s it. Full stop.

Somewhere out there....

okay... my blog is fine now.. but after half an hour waiting.. i am not sure what had happened. perhapd netscape has its own good things to explain, which I do not care about to understand..

I am trying to tell that my daughters love 'Somewhere Out There' song that makes me feel like a secondary school girl for the past week. I have been singing the song for them every morning and evening on the way to office and back home. It is just like practising for my choir performance when I was in Form 4 at SSP :o)

New Look?

I've changed to new blogger account yesterday.. but something funny happened when I tried to delete the old post and put it the new one.. the old one still exist!!!

I am pretty mad here, but I do not want to scream or anything.. I will just wait and see how the post will be displayed after an hour or two.. hopefully something nice will happen..

Perfume Essence

This is my first product for this year.. Perfume Essence. More updates on this products will follows. Do check back often for more news and offers for this products.

New Year Resolutions!

Gone already 2006 and welcome 2007.. Another year has passed and yet, I am still here.. I am not going anywhere but definitely I am going to do something with my current financial status. Now that my husband already found a job that paid quite handsomely compared to previous one, there is a space for me to utilize some of my monthly earnings to venture for business. This time, it will be a serious one. I have been trying too many business opportunity, the best was eBay and the worst was work-at-home-SCAM!!

So, this year it will be only DIAPERS and PERFUME ESSENCE. Although I am not the pioneer in the business, but I strongly feel there is a large market for both products. For this year, I will spend more time networking with friends and introduce them to these products and get lots of sales orders. Other than that, continue with my career development at lightning and grounding experts. Oh, not forgotten.. the eCosway business.. ha, that is one area that I need to relook at...

I will talk more about my newly listed products for everyone benefits. I just hope that TM will install my telephone line soon because I desperately need Streamyx now..

This year resolutions:
1. Profit at least RM200 per month from diapers and perfume essence sales
2. International travelling at least once in every quarter of financial year
3. Stop procrastinating, and keep writing one article per week
4. Read more to my daughters.. and read more on technical contents for work (at least 1 article per week)
5. Spend more time networking with friends and family

Hope I can achieve more than 20% of my yearly resolutions :o)

Happy New Year everyone!!!