Malaysia - ALWAYS HOME

It has been so awesome, it is unbelievable.
I find it hard to believe that I managed to say goodbye to all of this. I did not shed a tear in the airport, nor in the flight. But believe me, I missed this. I am still a lazy blogger, but it is about time I updated this, I quote Lester "mummified blog".

I was greeted with a great welcome at the airport. Mom, 2 brothers, good ol' cousin and his sweet girlfriend came with hastily drawn posters with "WELCOME BACK SARA" on it. The words were written using highlighters, which made me shake my so called artisitic head. But, it did its job. It made my heart warm.

We went to a mamak (woot, missed it so much) immediately after the airport at 12 am in the morning. Cute picture, we were supposed to look like we are about to devour a roti tisu that is a table long or in other words about Brenda's height (haha). Yum

The next day, I went on this crazy shopping trip with Brenda. I was giddy when everything seemed so cheap to me now. I shopped as if I was ravenous for clothes. Suppressed desires for 10 months was let loose to attack all shops. I exaggerate, but you get the picture. Spent all last year's accumulated ang pao money, and was immediately poor after. But I dont care, I was happy and content. Wait scratch that, I am still itching for more, but I am practicing self control now since I feel guilty over my recent expenditures.

After that, I was whisked off to India for 11 days. Before that, I actually missed a plane flight cuz my mom did not know we needed a VISA to get into India. Funny now, but not then. It was just my mom and me on a budget backpackers trip. Budget rooms with cold showers, trains that sometimes stank and had no air con but the trip was AWESOME. The people were so friendly, and were all eager to take photos with us. They were always helpful and welcoming. And we visited some great places as well. The focus was on South India, we traveled from Trivandum (where we landed) to Kenyakumari, Kovalum, Allepey, Oothi, Coimbatore, Mysore, Bangalore and lastly Kochin (where we departed). It was alot of travelling in a short time, but we saw alot and it really felt like the real experience and not some highly commercialised tour.


Me posing infront of the Mysore Maharaja palace. It was absolutely beautiful. totally trumps whatever European, Malaysian and Chinese palaces I have seen. Too bad we were not allowed to take photos inside. The punjabi shirt I am wearing is tailored in India. It was completed in 2 hours and tailoring cost is only 100 rupees!!!! Thats like approximately RM10 only ok @.@ .


This picture depicts one of my favourite part of the trip - backwater canoeing in Allepey (which is Venice like in a kampung way). So beautiful. The trees and water, orange sun when it was going to set in the clear blue sky, the Indians going about their own way washing their clothes and chatting as we passed by made me feel like I was watching TV, only more surreal. Absolutely lovely experience. In this picture we stopped by paddy fields to take a walk, while posing for the camera of course. Love my scarf, it is pure indian silk. It looks good in pictures, especially in the wind as you can very well see.

It was good to be back in Malaysia again after India tho. I felt a little sad having to go to India so fast when I did not have enough of Malaysia yet. I and Brenda joined True Fitness. And we have been going to all kinds of classes: Fusion, Bollywood, MTV jam, Dance Mania and Revolution etc. So much fun. I feel fit and my tummy is gone! whoopa-dee-doo. We also joined a dance studio where I am taking Zouk and Bacchata classes. Mexican (wait is it Brazilian) partners dances which are so sexy. lawls.

I had a sleepover at my house with all the girls over - Limay, Brenda, Su Ping and Karen. Bough a bottle of Vodka and a couple of other mixers. Sat on a field opposite my house on mats, lighted candles and switch on music. We played a couple a drinking games which Brenda ended up keep having to drink untill I got pissed cuz I think she was finishing our precious store of alchohol. We drank till we were high, and had loads of fun. I now consider it a highlight in my album of fun memories.

LESTER'S Bday next. Karaoke in Red Box and MOS next. So fun, brenda and I actually danced on the box. Cool eh, I always wanted to do that.


My mom dragged me to her annual Prudential conference in Genting. Booked a night there. Had dinner with her colleagues who were all so nice and friendly. They actually gave us free tickets for a concert show. But that would mean we would have to stay another night. Mum said we only booked the hotel for one night, and they immediately started calling and got us a free night cuz some guy was leaving early and gave us the room to use. Cool eh

The concert turned out to be really good. At first I was not so eager. Who is Anita Sarawak that everyone is talking about? and there is this very famous chinese singer as well, but I dont listen to Chinese songs, so I did not know who the guy was. In the concert itself, I asked a chinese guy infront of me who the singer was. He gave me an incredulous look and said "Zhang Zhi Chen!" and I was like: "Oh, hahah, I knew that. Just confirming". But you know the truth. I knew his songs tho, cuz it plays alot on the radio. I dont know his English name still. -.-

Mummy's birthday. I and Bro got her a portable speaker that can play SD cards and thumbdrives, and of course any other music device. See in picture below, we were posing with red eggs and pressie at 1am 15th Jan 2010.


Vanesse's birthday (sister in law) is on a day later. We had a dinner in Vincenzo, Bangsar and used up a RM200 voucher my mom had. The food was only not bad, but the environment was nice. Of course, photos is a must. Check out the jelly cake, the only time I had seen one other than this is Su Ping's birthday 2008.


Mom had a birthday dinner in house with Bollywood friends, I did not put up pictures for it. lazy... It was nice. All in all, mom had 3 cakes. NICE, that more than me. Sob, lols.


Most recent of all, I went out with Lester, George, Guo Yaw and Brenda to Sungkai, Hot Springs that is 2 hours drive away from home. It was soooooo fun. And our skin was silky smooth like Lester described it would be. He also said thats because all the dead skin is gone and is floating around in the hot spring we were in. NICE LESTER. George had a minor accident when we were just 5 MINUTES in the pool. lols, we were so afraid that stitches were necessary, he was bleeding the whole day! The padding kept reddening, which worried us. So took him to see a doctor, and everything was fixed in a jiffy.



I cannot be bothered to post most of the photos. But, if you are interested check out Facebook. I have been a good girl, and updating everything quite religously.

There is more stuff of course, just cant think of everything now. Ciao, and hope your summer break/hols was as fun

I am sorry

I have gotten lazy to blog. Blame it all on blogspot's totally un-userfriendly way to load photos on the blog. grrr

sooo, if you guys are still even interested, I have momentarily shifted my attention on facebook (truly appreciate it as a marvellous networking site now) and twitter. less time consuming and well, no need so much effort. haha

no twitter? sign up for one la. It is already waay past is early adopter stage right now. Twitter is the advent of the new age of communication! if you do get one, pls post up your username on the chatbox on the right.
Dont wanna get twitter, just have to see the box on the top right. It shows all updates on my microblog on twitter.

It is midsem break, and alot has happened. I have been having tons of fun at the expense of me not catching up with my studies. Haiz, sigh. I have no time to update on recent activities:

chefs at work on desert for home bible study: orange sorbet
how I got home when I missed the bus at 12.00am, haha. UNSW unibeat security rocks!
KM's birthday outing (Pics on FB)
My wonderful birthday surprise by IBF (a portion of pics on FB too)
laser tag is rocking fun, although I suck at it (FB pics PENDING, pey pey upload laaaaaa)
my birthday date with KM (pics on FB)
inglorious basterds (very gory, but interesting) movie night
I curled my HAIR!
and drum rolls, I watch WICKED, the AMAZING broadway musical. LOVES!


fun fun fun~
gah, need to study. My eye is swelling. Need to sleep as well.

I GOT A JOB

Ok, this is really really OOOOOLD news, but I just could not find the time and mood to blog about it.

After 4 weeks of looking for a job, searching up and down, asking anyone who has a job how they got it, being stupidly envious of them, feeling rather down myself, I finally got a response.

One day, I was checking my email on my phone just before lecture, and found this:

(grrr, I cant cut and paste in blogger, I think its because I am noob, so I have to type it)

---

Dear Sara,

Thank you for submitting your resume to UNSW Sports and Recreation,

We are currently interviewing for Customer Relations Officer positions (waiseh, sounds so yeng right). The position entails working early mornings, evenings and weekends, there are about 15 hours a week available. If you are still interested, we would like to offer you an interview this week.

Deborrah XXX (Customer Relations Supervisor) and myself are fairly flexible so if you can respond with a couple of suitable days and times, I will confirm asap. Alternatively, if you have already found work, I wish you all the best.

Have a wonderful day.

Kind regards,Betina xxx

Marketing and Customer Relations Manager

UNSW SPorts and Recreation.

-------

NO I HAVE NOT FOUND ANY OTHER JOB YET, AND YES I WOULD LOVE TO DO AN INTERVIEW AT LAST!

It was so stupid, because I applied for fast food restaurants (Mc Donald, Dominoes, and Subway), retail shops (clothes and shoes shop), and supermarkets (Coles and Aldi that is popular here) and still there was NO RESPONSE. Hardly any of them had the decency to say I was rejected. I hear from other friends that these places give no response as well. I was at my wits end here.

There was one point, I thought I finally landed a job at Gourmet Deli, cuz the guy was looking for someone to hire, and my friend (his manager knows him) recommended me to him. He liked me, told me that he would put me on consideration and even admitted it to my friend. I thought I would be getting a call to tell me the good news soon. But I waited, waited, and waited .... nothing. I got nervous, maybe I overestimated how good the informal interview was. 2 weeks later, I went there again and asked him how was everything and has he come to a decision yet. He said, "oooh no, I will give you a response in 2 weeks, yada yada." =.= People cant wait that long laaaa.

Holiday ended, Uni started. STILL NO JOB. As a last desperate attempt, I gave up on waiting for Gourmet Deli and started sending out resumes again. This time, Uni on campus jobs (I thought I have a very low chance there, because it is very high on demand). One of them was obviously UNSW Sports and Rec. I handed in my resume, the guy at the counter was saying there were a few girls before me asking for a job as well. Also mentioned it is most likely there will be no vacancy. Heart sank here.

At the end of the day, I resigned to my apparent fate, and just thought, I did my best.

The email from my (current) marketing director was an unexpected blessing, like suddenly finding out it is christmas day and you have stack loads of pressies (I love them, hehe) when you thought Santa labelled you a naughty child BY MISTAKE. Thank you GOD! Anyway, I had another thing to worry about now. DONT SCREW UP THE INTERVIEW!

If you followed me on twitter (I dont think you do, but i know Karen definitely did, MUAKS), I was nervous like hell. It was like a win lose situation, and I CANNOT LOSE (dun wanna job search again). So afraid. When I asked Khar Mun to test me on a few questions like 'tell me about yourself' (which should be easy), I stumbled on every word. I was that afraid, and being nervous took my confidence away. Also, I had no real office attire. I managed to scrape through with this. I wore stockings and the high heels Khar Mun gave me. I look fat :(

Amazingly, another stroke of luck, I was game on in the interview despite being a nervous wreck before. I did not stumble ONE BIT. Betina even liked my answer to some interview questions, which I swear I have no preparation whatsoever. HALLELUJAH! I knew I got it when I left the interview room. I just knew it.

After the interview, the stakes got even higher. Because I SINCERELY wanted to work there now. Not just for job and money, but because they were an AMAZING TEAM and reallty PROFESSIONAL. really, everyone there I asked says 'it is a great place to work, you will love it!". Oh God, salivate right? You dont hear that kind of thing often.

I did the interview on friday, they told me I will get a response (either hire or reject) by Monday. Which was great, cuz the stupid Gourmet Deli place made me wait when he gave me the impression I will get a response by next week. 2 days of waiting was torturous, but worth it.

I got the job. Great team, EVEN GREATER PAY, FREE sports membership, secure job for next 3 years, and looks freaking good in my resume (not coles, not something else, especially when I am doing marketing). I really and trully felt like I am the luckiest girl in the world.

on a side note, I did get an offer from Gourmet Deli in the end. AFTER 5 weeks and more. WTH. I am grateful for their inefficiency now.

p/s IBF (intenational bible fellowship) is great. The was a seminar on 'is there an absolute truth', the talk was one of the best. Wish you were there brenda.

Life gets better, just never give up.

XOXO, I wish all of you guys (friends and family) well. LEARN LOVE AND LIVE!

End of my procrastination.

My blog is like Nearly Headless Nick in Harry Potter now. Blog hanging on death, as is Nick's head.

Anywaaaaaay, I moved in to my new place at Boyce Road, Maroubra on the 16th of July. At 23rd July, I still could not bring myself to unpack. Assorted pots, books, clothes etc strewned was everywhere on the floor. It is a mess. Obsessive Compulsive LESTER (ironically), would scream in horror at the should be censored sight. Still, I was too lazy to get to work. So for the 7 days in my new place, I cooped up in my bed, because that was the only place where I pushed away the mess.

Behold, the mess I can make when a room consist of such basic furniture. A cupboard, table and bed.

Finally, even me, SARA could not stand it. And finally I gritted my teeth, rolled up my sleeves, and got down to work. Sorry, it is no exaggeration. I really hate tidying. REALLY. It is a ritual. A bloody battle within my inner tidy threshold (or mess threshold) and my loath for tedious housework.


tadaaaa~



The floor is clean now. lalala. It is a feat for Sara ok. Everyone, clap for me! muaks.

ooh oh, wait. TOTALLY OVERDUE pictures of my pweety new shoes Khar Mun bought me! Loves ~. I know I took the bad picture of it, since the background is my room when it was still messy. I did not even bother tying the shoelaces in the second picture. BECAUSE THE SHOES IS SO AWESOME, I dont have to make an EFFORT TO SHOW IT IS AWESOME!

I rarely ever camwhore. Give me one girly moment, although it aint my nicest picture.

XOXO (haha, got hooked on gossip girl too. I know its late, but hey, better than never!)

p/s, on the Gossip Girl note, Blair Waldorf is a hot and interesting bitch. lol

pp/s, I forgot to announce I got my results! although the enthusiam (read worry) for it is old news. I got 3 HD and ..... wait for it ... 1 credit. The annoying outlier is none other than MARKETING. My intended MAJOR! Starting to think if I am meant for marketing after all. What is wrong with me. Lol. So, I am taking finance in semester 2. Testing the waters. HAiz, I was so sure about marketing. I admit, I was biased in studying marketing. Spent very little time on it, so it is well deserved. Pah. I am ranting. gtg out for dinner now, bye!

ppp/s, I realise I talked about 4 subjects in one post. Its been awhile since I updated. hehehe.

will continue to be dead for a while

I am sorry. Exams was a cruel cruel rush - crash course of what used to be one year 4 subjects to one semester (ONLY 12 WEEKS) the same amount of subjects. UNSW is eeeeevil. I had no time/could not be bothered (interpret it however way you want it) to come online to announce what is obvious already to everyone- MY BLOG IS DEAD.

When the exams ended on glorious 18th June 2009, I was too lazy to blog. The last thing one would want to do after writing pages and pages of economics and marketing is to write some more on my blog. No way, so I announce that I was too sick of writing, and currently still am that I wont be blogging for some time.

Since holidays gets more and more appreciated as I grow older (they grow shorter as well, HMPH!), I have an AGENDA for my holidays ---> I know what you are thinking, but holidays slips away too fast nowaways, I wanna make full use of it.

Sooo ..

I wanna ...

Travel (hopefully Perisha Blue Mountains, skiing fun! Woopee!)

Watch lot and lots and lots (and lots)^infinity of movies (Transformers 2 DONE! Harry Potter UPCOMING! Life season 1 and 2 DONE. Smallville season 1-8 IN PROGRESS, and other movies I can't bother to mention)

Read loads of books. This can be achieved because Khar Mun got like $200+ worth of book vouchers from Randwick Boys High, Sydney for his *ahem* outstanding results - AND I BENEFIT. lalala. Currently, spent $100+ and bought Artemis Fowl (first book), Harry Potter, Philosophers Stone, Nomes Trilogy by Terry Pratchett (Truckers, Diggers, and Wings). Heads spinning, THIS IS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE! lol. Notice there is no romance. Since it is HIS vouchers, I figured I should recommend books that he would at least read as well. Tomorrow, we just might buy the whole set of Artemis Fowl (5 books) and Harry Potter (7 books). OMG right? We definately will go over budget here, cuz we planned to only collect Harry Potter series. Haiz. ah well, books bring positive externalities (economics nerd, I know). Anyway, books gala heaven ahead. Nuff said.

Get a job. What more can I say. Finished my resume. Finding ways to send it out now and get employed.


thats it, I have alot on my list. hols heaven.

love you guys, muaks

Hi Ho Hi Ho (is that how those dwarfs from Snow White used to chant working together?)

A semester is flying by... 12 weeks feels like only days....and all that Jazz.
It is so cliche, I am embaressed to even write it. But I guess it is so for a reason.

I would like to say 'great working with you guys!' to my marketing team (although only one knows about my blog). Below, I present my team, well only 2 of the 4 because I forgot I brought a camera to camwhore on the last day of class together. EPIC FAIL. Nonetheless, better than nothing. I introduce to you George Cleanthous (Greek, cool right?) and Janice. I hope I dont have to describe how in the picture owns to names mentioned (lol).

p/s: If you guys have been following me on twitter, I showcased George in an adorable beanie (he is real fond of it) before.

I won't say that the we bonded so tight while working our asses off for marketing assignments that we are as inseparable as early lovebirds. BUT, it was a fun and frictionless teamwork nonetheless. I appreciate it all the more when Uni system makes it hard to make friends beyond 'hello, how are you doing?'. Anyhow, I enjoyed knowing you guys. (Especially George and his *ahem* very generous contribution of 50G worth of movies and series, and the recent addition of Smallville season 1 and 2. My head spins when I think how I will be diving into the world of almost endless TV minus annoying advertisements after exams. I cant wait! *insert action of rubbing hands gleefully*)

To my Quantitative Methods A team, you know you guys rock as well. Zoe and Wai Yee on the left and right (Hong Kong and Taiwanese). There is another Aussie born Korean on the team, John... Hmm, I dont think I have his pic. oh wait... I might just have one, where is it? ...

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Oh yes, THERE YOU GO! It is my MOST flattering picture of you!(*chuckles*)

Smartphones - the future

I know I should be studying for upcoming events ... but I just had such an interesting conversation with my brother, Kenneth (check out his Fresh Gear site, his topic on why PDA?) I could not resist to blog about it.

I will be very brief, I have no time to share all I know.

My bro was showing me a few articles stating that Sony Erricson, a second-after our ever popular Nokia in slumping in sales, and making consecutive huge losses. "Why?" I asked. In my mind, almost everyone had either nokia or Sony Erricson in Malaysia. He said data phones is the future.

A few more articles backs this statement up, " handsets sales fall, while smartphones increase"

The best person to tell this lesson is Sony Erricson. They are considering to even drop their 'cybershot' and 'walkman' brand! OMG right? Thats what made their previous 100 million handsets sell before. But, they will be dropping it soon, because it is slowly losing relevance in the market. Consumers now demand an ultraportable laptop- the smartphone (mobile, music, internet, camera, other devices ALL IN ONE). High end users are leading the trend, its now Nokia E-series, RIM Blackberry, Apple Iphone, HTC .... in that order. And may I add that Palm seems to be back in the game with their gorgeous Pre, and might possibly break that tight competition in the smartphone era. Nokia unleashed its first step into touch screen already, with its 5800 XpressMusic.. smart (although still late in the game, and a PATHETIC touchscreen first attempt).
Deviating slightly, a funny comment on XpressMusic 5800:
It feels like Nokia is being dragged kicking and screaming into the world of touch. Maybe it is.

ANYWAY,

Why is data phones-smartphones/PDA getting ahead? Because of the advent of data plans. 3G, EDGE, bla bla, is going to be ever popular. And why not? Internet was a boom, it created possibilities, market, new opportunities, IT literally. The young generation are so keen on keeping in touch with friends, they msn, skype, facebook, googletalk, yahoo, bla bla the list never ends. They are so tech-savvy, they CANT LIVE WITHOUT INTERNET. AND SOON THEY WONT BE ABLE TO LIVE WITHOUT 3G and whatnots like that. Imagine, now www in your palm. Here in Australia, 3G is a almost must have in networks, Malaysia is getting there as well.

With web browsing made easier on mobile phones, smartphones will be the ultimate gadget. For the young and enterprise alike. Everyone wants to do everything in one ultimate amazing gadget. Look at the future, we will see ...