bond with a gingerbread house

Liverpool 4 – 3 Swansea :)
It's all over here at Anfield and Liverpool has won a truly remarkable game of football! Two goals each from Daniel Sturridge and Jordan Henderson have sealed a memorable win over the Swans.

Poetry Of Flowers

A hattrick – Thank You GOD, Praise To The Lord, Bless You GOD – first it was Emerson, followed by Stewart and now it’s Turkey Ham who offered me a job :) Turkey Ham’s job scope has been re-designated recently to look into the East Malaysia market, thus the company is looking for someone that can manage their West Malaysia market. I am so humble that the management actually thought of me and actually considering me for the position. However…nah…I have rejected their offer. Their office is so far; all the way in Selayang, I have to travel to the other states, I have to set-up event road shows etc. GOD, your name is so worthy and greatly needs to be praised every day. Despite my failings, my shortfalls, my flaws, the sins that I have committed – again and again You have blessed me tremendously, non-stop. My GOD is so Big, so Amazing, so Wide and so Vast :)

JomSocial

Troy was in town the other day. Troy put on so much weight. The moment Troy sat in my car, I can feel my car sunk down. We went over to the Paradigm Mall. We had lunch at Plan B and ice cream session at Cielo Dolci. I didn’t know that there is such a flavor – Earl Grey ice-cream. Combine that with Belgian Chocolate – awesome! This time around, Troy does much of the talking. I was Troy’s punching bag for the day which I don’t mind. I am so blessed that I have none of Troy’s problems. Thank You GOD, Praise To The LORD, Bless You GOD. It was a wonderful day.

Slashes & Dots

Hahaha…I know…I am very kepo :) It’s a human nature; it’s a trait that everyone has :) Okay…no more after this…no more enquiring about Christy’s status from Ursula anymore. I think Ursula also smelt it…I’m a busybody…but I’m a busybody with a solid reason. At least, from the feedback, I know what is acceptable to Ursula and what is not acceptable. What lines that I can cross and what lines that I cannot cross. Ursula says that she is still doing the line selections for Christy. Unlike me…Christy submits her proposals late; at the very last minute, thus it does not give Ursula the buffer time to run through. Ursula says that she also wants to cekik Christy already. There is a range of DIY items that needs to change to a new packaging. Margin of the old packaging is at 45%, now with the new packaging, the merchandise’s margin is at 35%, 10 points down. If you are caught doing something wrong, don't give excuses, don't pusing. Noted. I will be very low profile in the days to come and I will look into my business figures very carefully from now on.

COURSE AND EFFECT

Ursula has been teaching me on a lot of things lately. She never once teaches me on the product and its technical aspect…but teaches me on how to actually grow the business, how to be a marketer, how to have a good marketing proposals, never on buying because she thinks that everyone can buys but how to drive the business. I have the product, need to link it to the leaflets or press ad as a form of exposure, the right display method (fully utilizing the power wings, end gondolas, offer bins), the right quantities to pump in, the pricing format, the right communication visuals and the right strategies to go with it. I know what are my Top 1 & 2 range of items…however as stationery relies on a collective range to generate sales…Ursula also wants me to find my supporting Top 3 items as well. I feel like I am starting my buying/merchandise career all over again. Ursula also told me to slow down a little, pace myself well, take the time to consider, really listen, pay attention, focus, think, evaluate on every actions and decisions, don’t bulldoze all the way so quickly. She says that I and Sabrina are very much alike here. But Sabrina bulldoze over things much faster than I do. This is where Ursula is very different from my previous bosses. My previous bosses helps me to grow the business together with them…but with Ursula, its like...she is helping me to help myself, to grow myself as an individual. I’ve never get such advice before. My previous bosses have highlighted to me what are my strengths and of course, they do touches on my weaknesses and the areas that I need to improve on – which is job related. How to get things done more efficiently, how to fully maximize the limited time & resources that are available, what are the better negotiating techniques to use, how to squeeze more from the suppliers etc. But Ursula seems to goes one step deeper – it’s all about the attitude, behavior, character, growth, mentality, personality.

the after shave

Matthew drops by at G13 office the other day. After leaving G13, Matthew works with DKSH. It is an international company, Damian is also there, however; according to Matthew, DKSH sucks. Long working hours, at times Matthew has to work until 10pm, a one-man show and the pay is even lower than G13. Matthew is now attached to the sales department of this company that calls themselves e-pay. Servicing Ursula’s account :) Ursula will be wondering how come I know Matthew. Matthew’s immediate feedback on Ursula based on their first joint meeting togther:

(1) Ursula is very sampat :) This I know.

(2) No need to do extra work to make Ursula happy because if she is not happy with you, no matter what you do or how much you do, she still will not be happy with you no matter what you do.

(3) Whatever Ursula wants, just give it to her.

(4) Don’t offend Ursula. Keep the boundaries clear.

a concise whisky-pedia of a very serious drink

I’ve got my first TTA signed. I’ve passed the document to Ursula. However, I did not put my signature on it yet. Scared rejected mah…so I am testing waters here…no need to waste my pen ink. I know that I should be happy, I should be celebrating...but I'm not. Celtic has already got 2, Pietro have secured 4, both Baldwin & Ramli scored 3, Clara got 1…I have zero :( I am very worried. Because I know that Ursula will scrutinize all of the terms & conditions. She will check every detail. She will go into every detail as well. Sigh…I stand by every mistake I’ve made. So judge away.

Street Cred

This Ursula went behind my back the other day :( She called one of my books suppliers. Luckily, this supplier of mine cc to me whatever he has communicated with Ursula thus far. At the very least, I am still in control a little. I am not mad with Ursula. Ursula has the every right to do so. I have always believed that bosses should have an understanding and knows what their staffs are currently doing. They have the right to check and ensure that their staffs are on the right track as well. As Ursula has not mention to me regarding this matter yet, I shall act don’t know for now. In the later stage, if she decides to reveal, I can only say – oh, ok.

travel-curious

Aiyo…this Baldwin ah…Madam Yap was in the office today, distributing her daughter’s wedding card to us. Madam Yap didn’t know that I have changed my room. Madam Yap teasingly says that I got promoted because I am sitting in Ursula's old room right now. Then, this Baldwin says so loud that I am Ursula’s successor. The whole office heard aboout it. OMG. Gerrard, Shawn and Christy will hate me the most.

Chit Chat Cards

OMG…all of a sudden, I just have this thought last night :) What if…maybe this Ursula already plans this whole thing since last year. Maybe this canggih candidate that Ursula interviews wants to do the stationery department and not the others. That is why; Ursula keeps on asking me to be transfer out. Hmm…

Whole Beast Dinner

Ursula’s true colors are fully out today :) Damn evil man! She is so pretentious. Hot, cold, hot, cold. Hahaha…it will not break me down…I will just be myself :)

Mr. Brooks

Pietro updated me that Ursula has an interview appointment yesterday. The HR fella was looking for Ursula but apparently Ursula was not around, so this HR fella went and asks Pietro on Ursula’s whereabouts. No wonder, I saw Ursula was rushing to somewhere once she came back from her store visit. Ok, so right now, it’s either I die or Christy dies. Ursula will not touch Shawn & Gerrard. The both of them can guide Sabrina, so Sabrina is safe. Ursula’s ideal plan is to have me transferred to Christy’s portfolio. But I insist that I don’t want a change. That means I am disobeying her orders. I am not following her instructions. Therefore, I have a higher chance to be removed compared to Christy. If Christy is not capable in the eyes of Ursula, at the very least, Christy is still adhering to what Ursula says. This is her drastic action :(

Born & Bread

Hahaha...I was right! Ursula admits that her true colors are not out yet. I bluntly reply back to her – no wonder. I share with her that there are a lot of people who ask me did Ursula do this to you…did Ursula do that to you…I say no. When I hear the stories and compare to the treatment that I have been receiving so far, it is so different…when it doesn’t tally or tie-up altogether…I know that something is already wrong somewhere…I have already been very suspicious about this for quite some time now…indeed the devil in her has not been awaken yet. The reason I told her this, is to let her know that the outside people are watching her, so Ursula have to be very careful herself. She cannot simply take any drastic action against me. She won’t do anything that is too extreme. She have to think twice about it. Otherwise, people will talk bad about her. I openly told her off that she doesn’t have a strong or clean reputation in the office anyway. I think she wants to pengsan already…I am the most blunt employee that she ever had :) I told her to be herself, bring it on…let me work with the new devilish Ursula…let the devil rises...who knows, maybe it can push me further and I can do even more. I told her to keep all of our communication lines open. I remind Ursula again that I am letting her to lead and I shall follow. I have given her the green light to take over the driver’s seat.

I think the devil in her will emerge very soon. Because she have already warn me that any future decisions make by her is work related and not on a personal basis. I say that I am ok. I am an orange, thick-skin. I also told her that all this while, I have been very real, honest, genuine, sincere all the way and I hope that she is but Ursula gave no reply. I think majority of the times – she is being very pura-pura with me. She is also afraid that the more aggressive she is towards me, the bridge that we have built so far will be burn down and I will keep my distance away from her. Let’s see how it goes. I have a feeling, is that right now, she is the one who wants to keep a distance from me...because she is scared...that perhaps...I am able to touch her, somewhere, somehow...she will be too lenient & forgiving...she will cut me off some slacks...yet she is still very curious on who is the real J___ is. What is J___'s actual personality like? I also keeps her amuse :) I don't know. Just a hunch. It could be malfunction :)

guEST

Sigh...Ursula asked me again, late yesterday evening…whether I want to swap department or not. Again! I already lost count…I don’t know this is the how many number of times that she have asked me this question again and again. I want to pengsan already. My heart rate used to be beating at a flat pulse. Now, it fluctuates and skips a beat occasionally. I am getting anxiety attacks every now and then :) Ursula says that she will take drastic action soon. I don’t know what is Ursula’s game plan is. I don’t know what her next step is. What is she thinking? What will she do? The only way that I can think of…is that she will swaps me by force. I really don’t know whether is this The General’s intentions or not. If it is, I also don’t know what bullet that I have to protest this transfer. All is Ursula who says want. Shawn & Gerrard’s department are already in an auto-pilot mode. Ursula told me that Christy’s department drop by 6%. I really don't know. I haven't check on the figures yet to assertain the truth. Ursula wants me to fix the department. In my heart, I laugh, yeah right...all this while, it is Ursula who leads the department, thus she should bear the responsibility and not Christy. She is not being fair to her. Christy was her blue eye girl. Ursula also mentions if she fixes the 6% drop, that means she is the buyer already.

I ask her how I have been performing all this while…she says; that I am adapting, pretty good, covering the buying side well, now I need to move a step further in polishing my dealings with the operations team, grab more promotion opportunities & buying income, be better at marketing the concepts, don't underestimate my buying power, link buying to concept development to visuals to sales and growing the business sustainably. Then I replied back – if that is the case, I don’t see the reason why I need to be transfer out. It is when that I have been performing very badly, than Ursula has the right to demote me.

I ask Ursula back, will I disappoint her if I say no…she pula ask me back will she disappoint me because she felt that she is giving me the opportunity to change to a new portfolio because she felt that I am bored in doing the stationery department. I can see that Ursula is hesitating in telling me the whole truth and her plans…but die-die, I am standing firm on my decision. I am not going anywhere. One more time, I am going to tell her, if she doesn’t want me, she can straight away tell me right at my face. I can accept her answers and I will manage it professionally. I can manage my work life. I can ask for transfer. No need for her to be so kepo.

Alien Pop

Pietro was in my room today; we were chit-chatting. Then, this Ursula passed by my room. She stands in front of my room and says to Pietro loudly – Pietro, this J___ bully me, all of the new listing, I compulsory must sign. Ursula then chuckles and left. Leaving, the both of us stunned. See, time after time, this Ursula likes to spoils my reputation in front of everyone, she just like to damage my image :( I also told Pietro, we were so shitty as well, we forgot to shoot her back, we should have taken this opportunity to say to her – last time, she used to bully Pietro, now it’s her turn to kena bully back :)

Pietro also told me, when Ursula starts re-doing the leaflet line selections, its curtains down for the buyer. Pietro also goes through what currently Christy is going through right now. Pietro also used to be Ursula’s golden child previously. Cannot let this Ursula touch my line selections. Must make her very busy and occupy with other things :)

pop it in the post

Today, Ursula brought Sean, Gerrard & Sabrina for a store visit. Ursula didn’t bring Christy and me along. Christy did ask me though – ‘you didn’t go meh?’. I said no – ‘I am stationery’. I know my status mah :) The department that Ursula now heads is called - Hardware + Stationery. See, even the word is being segregated out from the core word. Sigh. I know that there will be a lot of people in the office which will start talking or gossiping about this tomorrow. It’s okay. I’m like an orange; thick-skin. I just share with Paige & Baldwin the other day…Baldwin cannot adapt to the new team, they seem to be very reluctant in integrating Baldwin into their group, but at least Baldwin’s original boss is still Marcus. Baldwin said that it’s true but the problem is; Marcus have changed into another family name. I chuckles and replied back that my condition is also not that good either…I have a new stepmother and a new set of stepsiblings as well. Totally a new family altogether :)

big wide world

Celtic always said that this Sabrina is a kaki bodek. And indeed it is true. The other day, both Sabrina & Ursula walked passed by my room…and this Sabrina actually called Ursula ‘Ah Cheh’ – Big Sis! I only call Ursula – Ursula. Boss – is when I watsapp her. I also called Ursula Boss once in a blue moon during our conversations. Wah…this Sabrina really step up her game a notch higher.

Chomposaurus

Liverpool 3 - 2 Fulham :)
:) The Reds came from behind twice to secure a crucial victory at Craven Cottage which put the fourth placed Reds within 4 points of the Premier League leaders Chelsea; with The Reds having a better goal difference.

Try. Try Harder. Try Continuously. Try Again.

Work Tales – today, I don’t know whether I should feel like this :) or like this :(

Leaflet FB Part 2 & Part 3 – Ursula came in to my room this morning and say that the proposals are ok. No changes. I was shocked. I mean...I expected that there will be many adjustments on the template; just like the Part 1. I know that Ursula’s expectations are very high. She is driven, business-savvy, ambitious, confident and extremely self-assured of her own abilities and while waiting for Ursula to feedback to me on my work…the waiting period…it just drives me insane. I have to ask her three times to make sure. Weird. Not like her at all. Ursula needs to prove herself this year. She needs to deliver better figures than Leonardo, nail the results and also to show that she can manage me better than Leonardo. Nonetheless, it’s funny, but when you get a bit of praise from her, it actually goes a long, long way, more so than anyone else saying 'well done' to you. Is this for real?

Ursula commented that I am more confident in speaking to her regarding my local suppliers right now than I first joined her department. I don’t know. I still think that something is very wrong somewhere. I can feel that she is not on a full force momentum yet or to put her whole heart & soul into this department. Like how she does with Christy's. Is this for real?

2014 Contract – I just finish this homework over the weekend, slogging through my Saturday & Sunday. Then Ursula only makes changes to my Top 7 suppliers, and the rest to follow my proposal. I didn’t even have the time to double-check whether my calculations and formula were right or wrong. Sure or not this Ursula? Or she wants me to drop dead? Is this a trap? Am I being set-up here? Is this for real?

Went down to Great Eastern Mall for a store visit. Celtic updated me the schedule that Celtic will visit the store in the afternoon. Coincidence, Nancy also called me to come for the store visit as well. I check with Ursula, if she goes, I will follow. If she is not going, then I will follow Celtic. So, in the end, Ursula is not going, so I followed Celtic, Barry & Madeleine. I also don't know the way there. Then, mana tahu – I guess…the whole office people are talking about it. Even Paige asks me why I joined the other gang, didn’t go with my own team members. I follow Leonardo’s team, even though Leonardo didn’t join us. Nancy also add on more fire…by asking Ursula why Gerrard didn’t follow us down today.

So how now…is all these for real?

Jumbo knockout

FULL-TIME: It's all over here at Anfield and the final score is ‪Liverpool 5 – 1 Arsenal :) Liverpool made Arsenal look ordinary as the Reds went on a scoring rampage, netting four times in the first 20 minutes. Martin Skrtel netted twice, Raheem Sterling bagged a brace and Daniel Sturridge notched for the Reds before Mikel Arteta scored a consolation. It was a simply stunning display - Liverpool were an absolute joy to watch today. The 5S scored - Skrtel, Skrtel, Sterling, Sturridge, Sterling :)

Roald Dahl Treasury

Ben & Nick – had dinner with Baldwin & Paige yesterday. Brought them to my favorite diner in Subang. We can really eat. 3 of us, 4 dishes :) But I manage to get a lot of information from the both of them:

(1) Ursula loves Shawn because the both of them share the same wavelength.

(2) Ursula actually scared of one person: Gerrard! Gerrard dare to menyampuk her, voice up and fight back. They used to be good friends previously too.

(3) As Sabrina is a newbie, Sabrina has managed to get some help & guidance from Shawn but not from Gerrard. Paige explain that perhaps Gerrard cannot accept that Gerrard’s small portion of the portfolio have been cut out to Sabrina. Additionally, this Gerrard also have angin. Sometimes, in a good mood. Sometimes, in a very bad mood.

(4) Ursula complains that she have to spent more time teaching Sabrina on the new categories.

(5) Ursula is very jealous of Leonardo right now because The General favors Leonardo and will consult Leonardo on everything. Ursula cannot accept this fact.

(6) Ursula is also very jealous of Marcus because Marcus has more staffs than her.

(7) I ask Paige whether Ursula have complained about me in front of Paige. Paige said no. Ursula only complains about Christy.

(8) It’s confirmed – Ursula’s minions are Liza, Mimi, Shu, Saleha and she likes Fify too. That is why, with the recent MAs re-structuring, Paige tries to separate them from being in the same group. I missed Fify. I find Mimi too careless. I have to re-check Mimi’s work. Paige said that Mimi have always been like this since the last time. Alamak.

(9) Paige is also angry with Ursula because when she asks the MAs to do something, the MAs will inform Ursula and Ursula will give them ideas or other ways of doing things.

(10) Sometimes, this Ursula will invite the MAs to attend her supplier’s dinner without informing Paige.

(11) The General thinks that Barry is a very negative person.

(12) The General thinks that Marcus is a good leader because Marcus knows how to manage people well.

(13) Ursula likes to lead the Textile Department but Baldwin thinks that it will be a disaster because Ursula cannot get along with each of the team members. But Baldwin notices that Ursula is more approachable these days compare to last time. Ursula desperately wants to manage the textile business because she thinks that she has the experience to do it and that she is a very fashionable person.

(14) Baldwin is yet to blend in well with the new team members.

(15) CNY Sales Feedback >> The General likes Marcus’s sales comments; simple, precise, straight to the point. Ursula’s...pusing one round. I think Marcus will admit the department’s shortfalls…where as…Ursula will try to highlight the good things that happen to cover the bad things.

(16) The General lecture Ursula on Shawn’s punctuality. Because Shawn is always late for work.

:) Interesting...

Bits & Basics

Leaflet FB Part 1 >> I presented to Ursula my proposal. I did not expect her to accept it 100%. She removes some, she adds in some and she maintains some. I went over to her room. She was like – har, want to discuss some more? I am debating with her, not for the sake of debating. I know that Ursula is intent on getting everything right in the first place; to make sure that the sales really fly…but I also want to highlight to her how the structure was build, how the ideas were being form in the first place and the rationality behind it. Whether she agrees or not, I think that she needs to know. It also shows that I have my own stand point and ideas as well. The both of us are still trying to get the process right. We are still finding the correct formula. So, in the process, the both of us could be either right or wrong on certain angle. Therefore, we need to discuss and go through everything. Maybe Shawn, Gerrard & Christy are already familiar with her, and already know what Ursula wants...I am still finding my footing. Then, Ursula commented, when she saw my proposal, she doesn’t know whether she wants to cry or to strangle me :) Am I really that bad? I forgot to ask her, whether those tears were happy tears or sad tears :) I share this with Celtic. Celtic thinks that it’s good. It’s because when Ursula thinks that I should know something, but in actual fact, I don’t know. But when she expects that I don’t know something, I actually knew :) Some more, this Ursula talk so loud…the walls are so thin…sure Marcus can hear our battering and Marcus will inform Leonardo about it.

hide & seek bugs

I was in Ursula’s room on Friday morning. Then The General came in, asking how is Ursula as Ursula was on MC on Thursday. Ursula says that she is feeling much better right now after lecturing me :( Like, I’m giving her problem like that…she always...somehow...likes to paint a negative picture of me...in front of The General.

froggie bubble blower

Hahaha…Ursula hates her new room. She have been complaining non-stop to Paige the whole of this week until Paige is also annoyed with her. This is because, from her seating position, Ursula is facing 2 pillars in front of her. She claims that it is bad feng shui because the pillar is considering as blocking her way. Furthermore, she has been sick before CNY and yet to recover fully. That day, Ursula told me that she want to fix a curtain over it and then today, (yes, what a coincidence that the both of us are working on a Saturday) she ask me whether I know any shop that sells poster. I told her that I am not sure. I only know where to get designs that are more pop culture oriented; which is not suitable for her. This is coming from a Christian woman. I respect feng shui and yes, they enhance positive energy. But as a Christian, if you can spend so much time on reading feng shui books and arranging the charm objects, then why not, spend the time on oneself to re-align with GOD; to be in a better position to received GOD’s blessings. I know that sometimes, I myself will get carried away too, but I always prayed to GOD to remove these negative thoughts from my mind.

Standing, Toddling, Discovering

The Alchemist – Santiago’s journey has come to an end. So near, yet so far. His treasures are actually in his own backyard. Sometimes, in life, we go around a big circle and then to come back again to the actual place where it all started :)

There is only one way to learn – it’s through action.

They were seeking the treasure of their Personal Legend, without wanting actually to live out the Personal Legend.

Why do we have to listen to our hearts? – Because, wherever your heart is, that is where you’ll find your treasure.

But my heart is agitated. It has its dreams, it gets emotional and it’s become passionate over a woman of the desert. It ask things of me, and it keeps me from sleeping many night, when I’m thinking about her – Well, that’s good. Your heart is alive. Keep listening to what it has to say.

My heart is a traitor. It doesn’t want me to go on – That makes sense, naturally it’s afraid that, in pursuing your dream, you might lose everything you’ve won.

Well, then, why should I listen to my heart? – Because you will never again be able to keep it quiet. Even if you pretend not to have heard what it tells you, it will always be there inside you, repeating to you what you’re thinking about life and about the world.

You mean I should listen, even if it’s treasonous? - Treason is a blow that comes unexpectedly. If you know your heart well, it will never be able to do that to you. Because you’ll know its dreams and wishes, and will know how to deal with them. You will never be able to escape from your heart. So it’s better to listen to what it has to say. That way, you’ll never have to fear an unanticipated blow.

Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second’s encounter with God and with eternity.

Why don’t people’s hearts tell them to continue to follow their dreams? – Because that’s what makes a heart suffer most, and hearts don’t like to suffer.

Before a dream is realized, the Soul of the World test everything that was learned along the way. It does this not because it is evil, but so that we can, in addition to realizing our dreams, master the lessons we’ve learned as we’ve moved toward that dream. That’s the point at which most people give up. It’s the point at which, as we say in the language of the desert, one ‘dies of thirst just when the palm trees have appeared on the horizon’.

Every search begins with beginner’s luck. And every search ends with the victor’s being severely tested.

That the darkest hour of the night came just before the dawn.

To show you one of life’s simple lessons. When you posses great treasures within you, and try to tell others of them, seldom are you believed.

Does a man’s heart always help him? – Mostly just the hearts of those who are trying to realize their Personal Legends. But they do help children, drunkards, and the elderly too.

Does that mean that I’ll never run into danger? – It means only that the heart does what it can.

Your eyes show the strength of your soul.

If a person is living out his Personal Legend, he knows everything he needs to know. There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.

When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too. Lead will play its role until the world has no further need for lead; and then lead will have to turn itself into gold.

Everything that happens once can never happen again. But everything that happens twice will surely happen a third time.

It’s true; life really is generous to those who pursue their Personal legend.

Elefountain

Hahaha, was hanging out with Baldwin & Paige today. Found out that Paige is Ursula’s punching bag. I mean, Ursula doesn’t have any friends around the office, she only have Paige to go to. So, everything, she will express it to Paige. And Paige is also complaining that Ursula mumbles a lot these days. Then these two rascals enquire how much Ursula has given me for the ang pow money…apparently, Ursula got provide different rates for her different buyers. She might give the most to Shawn because she loves Shawn, Paige will also have more because Paige held a strong position in her heart and Baldwin & Paige thinks that I will get more because Ursula wants to ambil my hati. Ursula is currently on an ambil hati mode to recruit more people into joining her gang. I am very sure that I am at the bottom of the ranking. I’m with Pietro & Celtic’s gang. Ursula doesn’t like the both of them very much. Anyhow, Ursula doesn’t have to ambil my hati. I also will not ambil her hati. I am just doing my job. Sincerely.

Walking, Chatting, Investigating

Weird…Ursula read me a quote yesterday. It goes something like this…respect people who give you their time…love the people who forgo their time to help you…I think that she is hinting me…to appreciate what she is doing for me currently…or to tell me indirectly to be faster on my job...Ursula have given me lots of homework to do. However, very paiseh…I cannot complete her homework on time. I have been extending & extending my deadlines. I only submitted one today. Itu pun…the template is also not complete. The CNY performance feedback (which The General have requested earlier on) – also Ursula helps me to complete the report :( I still own her - contract proposals, stocks days action plan, new item listing and many more. Sigh…I feel so ashamed that my boss needs to help me to do my work.

light & sound funky footprints

Work Tales - so much of struggles, so much of fighting, so many difficult decisions…sigh…I can feel the heat already…I know that the road ahead will be one bumpy & rocky ride…cannot be like this…must be happy…no matter what…

Crawling, Hiding, Exploring

Liverpool plays out to a 1 - 1 draw with West Bromwich Albion :(

Sitting, Babbling, Moving

Ursula has met up with 6 of my suppliers so far. The first 5 was very cina apek :) They are the laid-back kind, they are not the business or entrepreneurship driven type, probably they are very comfortable in their own zone, they may not be able to accept new radical way of doing things, always highlighting the problems; and not providing the solutions to help us to expand & improve our business further, they do not have a pulse of the market. That is why during these meetings – Ursula can control the whole process. She knows how to pacify them. However, with the 6th supplier – I see another side of Ursula, where she cannot control the meeting. Instead, it was my supplier who was the one who leads the meeting from the beginning till the end. Credits to Michel & Ice for dominating 70% of the meeting with facts & figures of the industry outlook. They are teaching Ursula. This duo is young. Just started their business a few years back. They are very passionate in pushing for their sales, they are aggressive in new product launching and love to do new product development. Most importantly, they are very in tune to what the market wants and they help the retailers to achieve that. I need to tag along with this kind of supplier who is willing to re-fine and grow the business further. Ursula looks agreeable with what Michel have proposed upfront, but I also have to re-confirm the whole thing with her again…in case she changed her mind.

Ursula also mentions that she thinks that my foundation is quite strong…or…quite ok…or quite good…something along that line but I need to be trigger. And this Michel finds Ursula to be a very smart person, the first impression is positive and Ursula is the type; if Ursula wants it, means that she wants it. Ursula is more aggressive compare to Leonardo and wants my department to shout & shine. Ursula asks questions and she wants answers cum solutions. She wants to discuss things, I can see that she herself is also very unsure of many things regarding my department but she wants these crazy ideas and theories or directions to make things better and to get fast results, she wants instant impact, she wants input and explanations, and she wants everyone to engage with her. And Michel feel that Ursula quite like me. Now, I don’t really know whether this like, as in like really like me…or we are being in the same wavelength. This Michel also went on to say that I am very happy being under Ursula pula. Adoi. I hope that Leonardo (whose room was just beside me before I moved into my new room) didn’t hear any of this…or not…aiyo…paiseh. Malunya…

Sigh…lots of work after this :(

Wriggling, Rattling, Reaching

Happy Australia Day :) It falls on the 26th January every year and yes…I am very late with this year post. Last year, I did a tribute to my alma mater – Murdoch University. And for this year – I am paying tribute to Thornlie. This is where I reside throughout my 2 years of studies there. My grandaunt has a lovely house over there (in a cul-de-sac area), I stayed with her together with my grandma. My neighbors were my uncle & his family.

Thornlie is a large outer suburb of Perth, the state capital of Western Australia, Australia, located 18 kilometers south-east of the city's central business district. It is part of the City of Gosnells local government area. The Canning River runs through the northern side of the suburb. Since the 1950s, the suburb has developed in approximately five stages; north-east Thornlie (1950s-60s), south Thornlie (1970s-80s), Crestwood (1970s), Castle Glen (1980s) and Forest Lakes (1990s). The percentage of residents born overseas (39.4%) is greater than both the national (27%) and metropolitan (31.3%) average. 11.3% of the residents were born in England; 3% in New Zealand and a significant smaller percentages are from Malaysia, India and Scotland. 14% of the residents speak a language other than English at home. Unemployment (3.4%) is lower than the regional average (3.7%) and socio-economic disadvantage less than the City of Gosnells as a whole. Weekly household incomes are characterized by a lower proportion of both low and higher income households compared with the Perth average. There are no major differences between the religious affiliation of Thornlie and the Perth region as a whole. The dominant religion is Catholicism (22.4%) followed by Anglicanism (19.5%), Islam (4.6%) and Buddhism (3.5%). Since 2001 there has been a mild decline in the number of Catholics and Anglicans and a small increase in the number of Muslims. It is a very nice suburb, surrounded by many greens. Transportation & logistics are very well connected and it is easy to get to the other nearby suburbs of Kenwick, Maddington, Huntingdale, Langford & Beckenham.

We used to get our Asian food from this place called Spencer Village. Groceries shopping were done at Forest Lakes Shopping Centre, Spencer Village Shopping Centre and Thornlie Square Shopping Centre. I will take the bus to Uni, we attended Sunday mass at a nearby church, one of our neighbors was a young couple from Subang Jaya where I make a good acquaintance with the wifey (unfortunately, I have lost contact with her)…it’s wonderful :) I love my time there. It’s true what people say, that home is where the heart is. My heart is definitely right here at home at that time.

Touch & Explore

Hahaha…Ursula didn’t watsapp me any Christmas greetings last year (so do I), but surprisingly she did watsapp me a Happy New Year greeting at 12pm, right on the dot. I also watsapp her back; 5 hours later; on purpose :) But there were no CNY messages from her. I also didn’t watsapp her any greetings as well. Being unpredictable, it makes Ursula tougher & harder to second guess my thoughts and my next step :) Thus, our cat-and-mouse game is always fresh, interesting and appealing.

Looking, Smiling, Touching

This year is Visit Malaysia 2014. I think this tourism event is very good for the country’s economy as a whole but I really have to comment on the government’s choice of this year mascot. Malaysia has plenty of endangered animals that would love the job as a mascot. But even in the tourism industry, looks does matter. Being a mascot is hard work. You’ve got to be a good luck charm, cheerleader, goodwill ambassador, look great in a costume and sell a lot of merchandise. All creatures great & small are for the most part perfect for the job – although there have been some strange pairings in the name of marketing. Reptiles, amphibians and creepy crawlies have been called on to peddle products from beer to insurance.

So turning to the Proboscis Monkey to entice the world to visit Malaysia in 2014 is not a hip choice to me. Because the monkey looks very ugly to me :( I am not discriminating, I am just looking at the commercial & marketing point of view. The long-nosed primate has its work cut out. It replaces the much loved Orang Utan as the face of the Tourism Ministry’s efforts. But why this monkey and not other monkeys with a bigger plush toy possibility (or the Hornbill or the Leatherback Turtle)? Well, the fact is that there are only 6,000 proboscis monkeys left in the jungles of Borneo (predominantly in Sabah), according to wildlife conservationist. And there are some several weird, wonderful things about this primate that make it an interesting choice for a mascot – its unusually large nose, big bellies, its webbed feet, it lives in groups, the fact that the males challenge each other for mates & leadership by comparing penis sizes :)

Still…I think it’s ugly, not cute or cuddly at all…

From first moments to first steps

My must-have or favorite CNY snacks :)

Kuih Kapit or Love Letters – this fragile, crispy biscuit is usually folded into quarters or rolled up and is aptly nick-named love letters for its appearance.

Bak Kwa – non halal, arguably one of the most iconic snacks among the Chinese community. Bak Kwa is a salty-sweet dried meat made with a traditional Chinese preservation technique. Pork is typically used to make bak kwa, even though chicken bak kwa is also available these days too.

Kuih Bangkit – they are delicate white biscuits made mainly from tapioca flour, coconut milk and pandan, leaving a truly melt in your mouth experience.

Pineapple Tarts – they can be found throughout the year, but CNY is an occasion where we see more of them.

Keropok Udang or Prawn Crackers – this crunchy snack is especially popular during this time of the year. It is quite addictive and you might finish off the whole packet before you know it.

Peanut Cookies - although these are not exclusive to any time of the year, but it’s in my top list yo.