Karaoke in Malaysia

They can be heard in a high class chinese restaurant. Don't be shocked if you're having your dinner and suddenly, someone go on stage karaoke singing. It's common because there was a wedding reception going on on the other side and we all sitting in one big hall with no sound proof divider.

If the singer is good on singing, you're on a lucky day. If not, the food somehow taste different.

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.

Half an hour hassle just for 4 cents

I got a letter from Maybank stated that my 4 cents balance amount has been overdue. To my shock, this 4 cents wasn't stated anywhere in the online banking list of account nor in the e-statement. After a call to the bank, I and my wife got to know that the 4 cents is actually a bank charges on my credit card balance transfer. Argument happened in the phone between my wife and the operator as my wife was concern on our credit point deduction in National Bank due to late payment. Finally, we ask for the manager to handle this case (by issue a letter) because clearly, we have no idea there is a balance and it can't be seen thru online banking nor e-statement. Thus, we can't make the payment.

Today, I went to the bank just to make the 4 cents payment and out of my expectation, there is traffice jam and no parking lot. It took me half an hour to get a parking and another 15 mins to settle the amount. Is it worth the hassle? I just shake my head and couldn't believe why Maybank system unable to show the 4 cents balance and allow me to settle it thru online banking.

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.

Perth Trip 2010

My sister wedding in Perth on October. There are so much to tell but I let the picture talk the rest (a.k.a. Lazy).

From Perth Oct 2010

P.S. Taking photo is easy, blogging all of them is hard.