Gathering with classmate

It's been 6 months after graduation at skillmax and one of my classmate has decided to organize a meet up in the city. Although most of them didn't turn up but it's nice to catch up with two friends.

We all talked about career, finding jobs and family. I'm glad they all are doing well and nevertheless, we all agree that finding a job in Australia is still hard. The weirdest part of our conversation is about staying with mother-in-law and some thoughts about hiring a hit man to solve the problems. :-D

I hope they all are doing well for the coming years. No doubt the road ahead is full of challenges and hardship, we agree that in the end, it's all worth it. I'm looking forward for our next meeting after another 6 months and hope more will join us.

Unforgettable experience on getting my driving license in Australia..

I have passed the road knowledge test in August 2012 and I have been longing to get the driving test done. After some push from my wife on getting it scheduled and some determination, today the driving test has come (at Hornsby).

With my wife driving (I'm using her car for the driving test), I got to the center half hour earlier than my booking time and started my exam around 11am. With butterfly in stomach and some diligent, the examiner passed my result. (The secret? Read "The Guide to Driving Test" online pdf book and take 2 hours lesson from an instructor.)

The unforgettable part is not the exam road course but rather getting my license printed process. The visa stated the name in my passport does not reflect firstname and surname (Well, that's how Malaysia passport looks like with only one field for the name). The receptionist said that her supervisor unable to ID me according the name stated in my Australia visa (which I was told later that Aus Immi just copy whatever info in my passport exactly) and she can not issue my driving license. No matter how I and my wife try to reason with her, the receptionist still won't budge.

My wife got her driving license without this issue, plus her Malaysian friend who has just got his license back in December 2012 also does not have this issue. I suddenly couldn't accept the fact that I was so close getting my license and my wife was not happy about it. The receptionist told us to go to Aus Immi to get the visa name fixed or go to "Dead, Marriage and Birth department" for a cert with name that has firstname and surname (a.k.a name change). And I think, "Seriously?"

We went straight home empty handed but not defeated. Calls are made and internet search has been done to find out what we can done to get the situation fix. Name change is not a valid solution because it requires me to stay in Australia for at least 3 years before I'm eligible. Therefore, this lead me the only option is to go for Aus Immi to have my visa name fix.

Fast forward in what happens at Aus immi center. After around 30 minutes of 20km driving to Parramatta, we got there took our waiting number, talk to the staff, show to the staff that we have check VEVO (Aus online Immi Visa info and status check) and the name does not have a firstname, staff heard our story and said the road department is stupid (I agreed), we want the visa sticker replaced, staff said require AUD 70, we agreed and paid and finally, we got out from the Immi building with a fresh new Visa sticker in my passport (around 3.20pm).

Guess what? We still have time to go back to Road Department center (will close at 5pm) and so we did. We got there around 4pm and re-submit everything. My account were block by the earlier receptionist (That Bitch!), who was not there at that moment, and the on duty receptionist was willing to fax all our document back to the HQ and telephone to get my account unblock, get the documents stamp, signed, get my photo taken, laminate my license and finally handed it to me. 

The whole story took almost 6 hours of my life just to get the driving license done.

In summary, if you're going for a driving test, try to avoid the Hornsby branch and go to the other branch instead. It might saves you a lot of time, trouble and money.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

The holiday season is here again. I'm writing this while I was in Brisbane at a friend's house. Travelling from Sydney to Brisbane and back is the first experience for me. 11 hours of driving covered almost 900km and took cost one and half tank of petrol. To be honest, I don't want to do it again because it's just too tiring and boring.

However, the pleasure of visiting a friend and play with their son, meet up with a family member and shopping at factory priced item worth the effort.

Next year Christmas, I will try to persuade my wife to take flight instead. Seriously.

A talk with a real estate executive director.

I and my wife were doing some real estate scouting just to look for some unit for investment. Since the real estate market in Malaysia is booming (as in a lot houses and condo being built at this point of time), so we thought probably we might get some great deal.

We saw one advertisment in the newspaper and went for the sales office. To our dissapointment, the office was closed and when we're going leave the place, somehow we noticed 2 persons in the office. The man inside noticed us, opened the door and let us in. The first couple minute of introduction, we are not sure who he is as he doesn't looked like a sales person and he also mentioned his staff wasn't working that day. Even after he hand over his business card, we didn't noticed the title until I found an article on the table that he is the executive director for this company.

He started talking about his latest project and unit available in detail plus some tips on finding a good investment property. He also mentioned that he had open couple of seminar and talks about property investment strategy to the public. I was surprised that in his tone, he was humble and no sign of bragging or looking down on us (probably we're looked young and he thought we're buying our first home). Then I slipped my mouth and ask him whether we can have a visit to his existing project. He replied in a heart beat that he will take us there personally.

First, I thought we're going there by our own car taggin his car but he insisted that we go with him on his Mercides Benz S class. I was shocked but still keep my cool intact. He showed us around the condo (plus the rooftop) he'd built and mentioned along the tips he talked to us earlier. Well, it's true and the place sure looked more attractive to those previous condos we have scouted so far. After the tour is done,  we exchanged couple of thoughts and investment ideas on our way back to the sales office. We thanked him for the sharing the investment tips and the hospitality of taking us for a tour.

Seriously, I've never ride in a executive director's car and go for a tour until I met this man. But I'm sure his going make a lot of friends and sales on his project with his generous hospitality.

Bad attitude

There was one day I went to Sungei Wang for lunch and shopping. I usually go for Low Yat Plaza basement parking because it was much easier to find a parking there than in Sungei Wang. Somehow, there was an event happing in Low Yat and we're are directed to Sungei Wang to look for parking.

As usual, we drove quite a while at the basement car park and finally we saw a couple walking towards their car and seems ready to leave. We putted our car signal on to indicate we going to park this lot once the couple left.

We waited for 5 minutes and the driver still not start their car engine yet. My wife started to get impatient and I can see that the driver was dialing his phone and put the phone towards his ear. Well, all knows that if there is a car waiting for your parking lot, for sure we will try not to make others wait but this driver is clearly seems doesn't care (For optimistic thinking sake, I bet his has an emergency call needs to make at this point of time).

Then I checked my phone (maxis line with the best signal) and it shows that there is none signal bar at all! At this point, I'm not sure whether I should cry because I'm a victim here. Laugh, because of the driver stupidity. Angry, because of the waiting. (Luckily I didn't go crazy because of this mixed feeling).

In the end, I laugh at it, although my wife was angry how could such people exists in the world. All I can say is that stupidity does not have a cure. :D :D :D. The driver finally found out his stupidity in a short while, put down the phone and drove away.

Business trip nightmare

There is nothing more worse than step on a dog/cat waste at the wrong place at the wrong time.

It was a midnight flight to Cyprus. The taxi came around 11 pm. I rolled out my luggage and hand it to the taxi driver. It was dark. I couldn't see what was on the floor and board the taxi as I usually did.

Unfortunately, I have my camera bag with me and it is a DSLR type. I putted the bag in between my feet, just in case I might left it in the taxi, and the bag was "contaminated". I still have no idea until the driver and I start to smell something horrible. The driver pull aside and we went out to check where was the smell came from. To my embarrassment, I was the victim. I tried to get rid the "sticky stuff" as much as I can but we can't waste to much time on the side of the road.

We took off and the drive rolled down his side of window a bit just to put off the smell. This time, he drove much faster and the journey usually took 45 mins (in my usual experience), now become 30 mins. After we arrived at the airport, I tried to pay the driver and quickly rush to toilet to clean up the mess. Again, bad luck striked me again that the driver did not have small change. End up I have to run to the nearest currency exchange counter in the airport to look for change. I couldn't care much if there's any contamination on the airport floor but that smell has to be taking care off as soon as possible.

After the taxi fare is settled, I spent quite a while in the airport toilet just to clean up the mess. Although I didn't get rid smell completely (my dslr bag) but just enough not to draw any attention. I checked in, get a plastic bag from a store to wrap up my camera bag (to prevent any minor smell to spread. Thanks for my wife for this quick tip solution.) and then thought of finding a seat to have some rest. When I have a really good look on the flight departure sign board, my flight was in final call. I couldn't believe it since my flight was at 3 a.m. but the final call was at 1 a.m. I saw my colleague at the gate and only to find out the online ticket booking system has printed the wrong time for me.

Anyway, I boarded the flight with no much of troubles and heading to Dubai in 7 hours. After the transit, I was upgraded to business class as due to membership program and it made me feels that my bad luck as turned around. Having a champagne first time in flight, having a noise cancelling head phone, eye shade and almost fully streched seat for sleeping, finally there is a sweet dream at the end of the whole journey (only last for 4 hours but it is enough for me to forget the nightmare).

Bon Odori Malaysia 2009

Bon Odori festival in Malaysia held in Shah Alam, Panasonic sport complex. The event started on 7pm and ended on 11pm but we left on 8.30pm.

First thing we saw when entering the complex. The stage at the center.


The crowd in the food stall area when we trying our best to get some food and drink.


Sushi King was there but no place to sit.


A japanese promoter, yelling "lima ringgit" (5 dollar).


People picnicking near the food stall area.


Show about to start and staff circled around the stage.


A staff sticking out her tongue.


Show started with drum performance.


Dance performance started and staff on the ground followed.


One of the staff. My favorite photo.


Crowd on the ground around the stage.


The event went into the night.

Nightmare after Christmas

No. It's not the movie that I'm talking about but the experience going home one day using the train service.

So, it wasn't the first time that the Putra LRT station had a technical problem. The train was moving slower and stay longer than usual at each of the station. I ended up as one of the office worker who queue up within a long line of people, eagerly getting back home as soon as possible. Some people was complaining while waiting and some people decided to choose another alternative way to go home. But I decided to stay quite and wait. Unfortunately, it took me 45 minutes in order to get onto the train.

I thought that was end of my nightmare when I get down on Central intersection. Well, the KTM train wasn't turn up so nicely as I thought it would be.

First, the air-cond was off. In my opinion, they can turn off anything but the air-cond. Second, a lot of people took the same train as I did. Third, the windows were tightly shut. When I was in the train, I thought I'm unable to breath due to the crowd and the tightly shut windows. Subsequently, the compartment was getting hotter and hotter. All the people started to feel the air humidity and temperature raising. I bet everybody's mind was thinking how fast the next stop would reach and looking forward the door to open again. At this time, we all would be relieved to get some fresh air gushing in.

While we all was day dreaming, the train moved for 5 minutes and then suddenly stopped in middle of nowhere. Later on, came an announcement that our train has to be halt for the commercial train to pass by. "Oh man!". That's the response came through everybody's mind.

We all waited patiently for 15 minutes and the air became so humid that all the windows were misted. Some people still had the humor to draw a "SOS" message on the windows. :D Fortunately, some people manage to get one of the window opened and this bring a little relief to us. However, that didn't solve the air problem in the compartment and it became harder to breathe. Then we saw 2 trains passed by and our train moved on after that. Some people got down on the first stop due to unable to withstand the air quality.

Anyway, I decided to stay in the train even though my mind was tempted to get down at the first stop; and I was right. After a few stop, then came a staff with special tool which specifically used to open those windows. Then the whole environment started to live up a bit due a lot people was frowning their faces all the while, including me. :D

When I get down on my stop, there was a temptation to kiss on the floor and said "I'm alive".

Company Gift Exchange Event

Group photo of my cost center with their gift.

From Merry Christmas

So, what do I get for Christmas? Photo frame.
Gee. Thanks dude.

P/S : In the photo, don't you find like there are 2 gang. One with black and the other with purple and white? Funny.

Treasure Hunt

It was bright sunny Saturday and we (I and my wife) went for a morning workout in the gym. After that, we stop by Sunway College just to check out some IT courses. We got some heading from the internet and newspaper regarding IT courses that are offered in a very affordable price from Sunway College.

After some enquiries with the staff there, the funny part came when we trying to pay the parking ticket. The parking ticket costs RM2. However, both of us do not any small change and the machine only accepts RM1 and RM2 notes. (By the way, an RM2 note has been obsolete by the government). The total amount of coins we have were merely 1.20 and it's not enough to pay for the ticket.

We tried the college canteen to ask for small changes but they weren't open on Saturday. So, we went back to our car to find any coins just to pay up the amount. Unfortunately, the ash tray is empty. :O

So, the hunt began. We search through both our seats and bags. We're laughing while searching and unbelief that this would happen to us. Luckily, I remember I've drop a few coins in my bag and in the hollow, which just beside my seat. After a shake here and there, finally we make up the total of the amount to pay the parking ticket.

It's not a bad idea to drop few coins here and there in the car because some day, it might save you from some embarrassment.

Malaysia bites back or ...?

Previously I've written a blog regarding a column written by a foreigner, who talks about the politics and economy in Malaysia. It was well written and a lot people (Malaysian and non-Malaysian) talks about it. Eventually, it become a heated debate on what he has written.

Now, there is a respond from "the authorities" regarding his article (By the way, if what he has written wasn't real, who cares? But there was a "respond", which I think they made even more mistake.). The author replies it with even more points to ponder.

So, does any action (either good or bad) will take against it? My bet was None. Does this make people who concern on Malaysia future to think? I don't know, but I'm one of them who choose to think.

Christmas Tree

KLCC has put up the Christmas tree to welcome the festive season. I believe it's the same tree they used for last year. :P

From KLCC Christma...

Anyway, Merry Christmas...., although it's a bit too early.

Updates on 20/12/2006: I've uploaded 3 more photos

From Merry Christmas