Here I am again after a great disappearance. I remember Meowee tagging me on one of her entries, and tonight, felt the sudden urge to reply to her tag. My bad, that this place is no longer a priority, as some things are as well in my life at the moment (haha). But, at least I am trying to redeem myself in the blogosphere with this entry:

6 things I'm passionate about
1) READING - I remember way back during my childhood, I would be sitting in one corner of our one-bedroom flat in Rifle Range reading my beloved books. Of course, I was the only daughter and rather spoilt, but most of what I asked for were books (and they only cost like RM9.90 back in those days, sigh). I believe my brothers would testify on the stories of my talking to myself (actually, reading aloud la), talking to pillows (one of them accompanies me till this day..ahemm) and talking in my sleep (although what I say is usually inaudible). Favourite authors? The only books my mum bought for me were Enid Blyton books, so guess who? (100 BonusLink points for correct guesses :P) Then, I sort of graduated into Nancy Drew books and Hardy Boys. And something in common I share with brothers are the series "Tiga Penyiasat". I read them throughout my primary school years, not realizing they were Bahasa Malaysia adaptations of Alfred Hitchcock's "The Three Investigators". That's how I learnt about racial harmony in our country, I believe (can't remember the names of the three boys - but they were a Malay, Indian and a Chinese!). Which made me think, where are all those books?!

2) CHILDREN - what I actually mean are toddlers. Someday, I might have some of my own. But till then, I will be satisfied with being able to help other people's kids grow up properly. Oh, the pleasure of knowing that you can play a part in shaping one's mind. 

3) LEARNING - Life is an awesome journey of experiential incidences. It is always a matter of what we do with the things that we experience. Do we discard every experience, merely something that tells a story in our great story book of existence? Do we KIV some experiences so that we can use them as reference later on? Ultimately, for me, every single thing I experience, I take it as a learning process. Good or bad, the core of it lies in how much I can extract from that particular experience to make my life (or someday, when I am less selfish: other people's lives) a better one.

4) FRIENDSHIPS - I now know I am one of those who drift in and out of different groups of friends. When I was a kid, the best friends I had were my neighbours. Then in pre-school (this is really a blur... don't remember much, ironically, so let's skip this). In primary school, a group of us thought we were Friends Forever (remember those Biodata Books where we fill in our profile - and those corny statements?? Hilarious. I still have one of those in my drawer). We took our UPSR, and then parted ways. Some of us ended up in the same high school, but never remained close. We found new friends, new cliques - even throughout the different Forms, we had different 'gangs'. It was only after SPM, when I went to church that I had friends whom I know loves me for who I am (Shea Li, Danny (now Ps Danny) & Megan, for example). And four years of college life brought me people like the Journos (plus Tabby), who never judged me no matter what I've been through (but neither do they always stand on my side; amazingly, they rebuke me when I make boo-boos too). And thanks to that, I am able to stand proud to say, these are the friendships I treasure the most.

5) FOOD - Not ALL food. I am an easy person to please. To keep me happy, just throw in some sausages (major fan), char siew pau (SS15 used to have a stall that sells AMAZINGLY SOFT, MELTS-IN-YOUR-MOUTH ones. Now that I live in Setapak, fat chance I get to eat it anymore) and Bread Rolls with LOADS of butter. Wheee!!

6) COURTESY - Many people forget that courtesy can bring you really far. It's not just about smiling, saying hi, knowing where to insert your P's & Q's. It's about attitude. Manage it well, and you'll see many things change. I find it utterly spell-binding that everywhere, anywhere, anytime and EVERY time - the determining factor for almost ANYTHING is one's attitude. So, it's either you have it or you don't have anything. You choose. I live my life the way I see it. How about you? 

6 books I read recently
1) The Sleeping Doll by Jeffery Deaver - the first of his series of Kathryn Dance novels. I am a major fan of Deaver's. His Lincoln Rhyme series are my ultimate favourites.

2) The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling - Before I read it: This book has got to be awesome! AFTER I read it: Just a means of making more money for herself. Thanks, but no thanks.

3) Everyone Worth Knowing by Lauren Weisberger - This author wrote The Devil Wears Prada. Although that book was made into a movie, doesn't mean other books are good too (I'm NOT saying that The Devil Wears Prada is a good book!!). Entertaining, but empty. Nothing much one can learn from books like these (partying, clubbing, sleeping around, love triangles, affairs, the list goes on...). One is enough, two is not necessary, three is a definite no-no. Apologies to fans of this author. Just not my thing.

4) Howl's Moving Castle by Dianne Wyne Jones - For those who watched the Japanese animation version by the Ghibli Studios and loved it, PLEASE read the book!! Awesome.

5) CURRENTLY READING - Wicked: The Life & Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire - If you think Harry Potter is cool, try this. Waayyyyyyy cooler!!

6) PLANNING TO READ: Son of a Witch by Gregory Maguire & Lion Among Men by Gregory Maguire - This is the second & third book in the Wicked series. All sitting on my bedside table, waiting for me to finish the first book so I can move on to the second and third. BORDER'S having a sale now... go grab 'em!

6 songs/albums I can listen to over and over again

2) One Republic's Dreaming Out Loud

3) Backstreet Boys' Greatest Hits Album (YES, don't laugh at me)

4) Pink's M!zundastood Album 

5) City Harvest Church's Cross Album

6) Michael Buble's It's Time Album

6 things I learnt this past year:
1) Always bring your mobile phone into the toilet with you (so that you can make calls to rescue you), just in case you get locked in. You might have to kick your way out of the door by breaking it down. (Refer to Facebook pix: THE Door)

2) People who treat you nice might not necessarily care about you.

3) Family is always number one.

4) I also read in the Discovery Channel magazine that bats are NOT blind!! Isn't that something to learn?

5) Hierarchy of work life:
    Things you need to do for yourself: LATER
    Things you need to do for others: NOW
    Things you need to do for boss: YESTERDAY (so make sure problems must ALWAYS be accompanied by solutions!!)

6) And most importantly, I have learnt where the WiMax-included town of Setapak (and now in Johor too!!) is. Hehe.

6 valuable things I own:
1) Tobey (my faithful car)
2) Mummy, Ui Lee & Ui Sern (they're family, so considered ONE valuable item la)
3) My collection of books!!
4) Timmy
5) Journos & the countless friends who look out for me
6) This life that I owe everything to the One who made me, and still waiting for me to come home

6 bloggers I tag:
Don't really have anyone to tag. Just doing this because I felt I had to. Thanks, Meowee for tagging me. I really enjoyed filling in this entry. 

I've got a few ideas brewing in my head for another entry. And I am ACTUALLY on leave tomorrow. So, we'll see how these ideas can translate into reading pleasure in this new alternative (no more) media of blogs :D

Good night, world.

1. 23 years old
   
2. No longer a management trainee
   
3. A Subang-ite no more. LOL
   
4. A Setapak-ian (if there's such a word)
   
5. No longer with Harvest Generation (yes, you read correctly)
   

What are some of the little things that makes you happy?

I feel happy when I get to stay home and read a book, preferable weather: rainy.

I feel happy when I get to drink a regular latte with no sugar after a long hectic day.

I feel happy when my hair is obedient (straight, no frizz and smells like citrus).

I feel happy when I get to eat McDonald's breakfast, preferable weather: cloudy.

I feel happy when I get occassional sms-es from people whom I thought was not close to me, but says they think of me constantly.

I feel happy when I wake up and find I have 30 minutes more to sleep before my alarm rings in the morning. :D

I feel happy when my kids say they sayang me.

What are some of the little things that makes you happy?
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Sitting here in the office with a little breakie, makes me think of the different 'jobs' I have been through before. Basically, according to my mother, I am one lucky privileged 'cow' as I was born in the late evening in the year of the cow (or what people usually call OX la). Why? Coz cows and oxens usually rest and 'sau gong' (tutup kedai in Cantonese) for the day. Therefore, my life is supposed to be easy-going, with everything I need provided for.

How far is that true? I can't tell, really. Who on earth believes they are one lucky privileged cow? LOL.

The typical thing for a Form Four student to do during the holidays is to look for a part-time job. Back in those days, it's Super Komtar, Sunshine Farlim and Prangin Mall (especially when Parkson just opened)... but for me, I remember going to Super Komtar to take the employment form. I remember filling it up when I reached home. But funnily, I never remembered submitting it. I definitely do remember spending my whole holiday having fun with cousins, friends and family. Haha..

After SPM, the typical thing for an SPM-graduate is to look for a part-time job too. Guess what? Yes, same cycle - took form (this time from Sunshine Farlim I think), filled form, never submitted it. Nope, did not work again. :D But I certainly remember staying home, watching TV, eating alot (and I grew FAAATTT) and not helping my mum out at home (one lucky privileged cow I'm supposed to be, I was trying to be one) or what I should say, a spoilt brat!! Haha.. that particular year also reminds me of many good things as I started going to church then. :D

When I started college, we had 3-month long holidays. I never remembered working part-time either. Except when I had a short stint of 'internship' in Flatfish, the communications arm of AYA Ministries. Then, it was another short stint of being in INkafe as a waitress. That was fun indeed. :D

Next thing I know, another year or so has passed and I was in my first year of degree. And yes, we had to go for another stint of internship. This time, I decided to not stick to writing, but to go into a Public Relations company - MYC. That three months was the best in my life (at that time laaa). Free movie tickets, free goodies from our clients, free cosmetics, free magazines, free albums, free merchandise... wahhh, one lucky privileged cow!! And not just that, opportunities to go around different campuses in Klang Valley and getting acquainted with different ones as I host the different roadshows... these are memories that will never leave my mind. WORK?? What's that I ask? No one could've asked for a better internship anywhere else. :D

What's next then? I also remember being together with Aidan in a company called Somerset Holidays or something, located in the Bali Building. I was a telemarketer!! Haha, what a hilarious joke... I only survived 7 days as I didn't like the idea of selling things over the phone (but mainly I can't stand the idea of having to sell a product I wouldn't buy myself). I got paid a total of RM275.50 for that 7-day favour I gave to them... not bad eh? (for a student laaa)

Another VERY interesting part of working life would have to be the moment I joined VentureLink3 as part of the moderators' team for corporate training programs. Great people with great attitude, working has never been better. Furthermore, every session includes free meals & a paid holiday! I get to stay in wooden chalets, swim in a pool of water sourced directly from the spring, learn how to dive from a swimming coach, learn winning strategies from an established businessman and soak myself in a waterfall!!! All this while working... awesome eh? :D

Suddenly, I found myself sending out resumes, looking for a real permanent job. This publication, that publication... turned down offers... and there came my golden opportunity (or so I thought at that point) knocking on my door. And as I started work on 1 August 2007, I've thought it through and through again on whether I made the right decision to not venture in writing, but take the route of Public Relations. Today, which is 8 months and 11 days down the road, I find myself heaving a sigh of relief... it definitely was not a mistake. :D All this... with loads of great things to add to the list of what one lucky privileged cow could enjoy.