Please DUN kill the messager...

I am so pissed off! I mean being blamed for pushing them when it is their fault for not keeping the committed schedule!? If I am the customer, I would not be as gentle. All we are asking for is for update and to please keep to the schedule. Don't they realised the chain effect whatever action they take will cause? After begging and shouting and struggling with the vendors to get the best support from them, it might all come to nothing because the commit cannot be met.

I admit that I do not understand what is the problem since it is all technical. I know that they are under crazy pressure to get the thing out, working and on time. But the thing is, SO ARE WE! We are the one that have to face the customers who are constantly asking for updates. All we want is honest answer whether you can or cannot meet the date. If cannot, then please tell me why and that you have done more than what is possible to meet the date.

We are human, if we really can't, I will go to the customer and tell them, I am sorry, we have tried but there is not way to meet the schedule. Or, let me know what is the next best date so that I can think of alternatives to try to pull some more strings. Do you guys think it is fun? Or that it is fun to say "SORRY" to customer? Or that it is easy to answer the customer and tell them cannot be done!? Do you think I enjoy juggling and begging from the vendors to give us more support??? No, it is not enjoyable at all.

I am trying to do my job. So, please go and do yours. If you are not happy or satisfied, tell your boss. Don't come and blame me for putting pressure on you. It is your boss decision to pressure you or not. I can only push and request your boss to deliver on schedule. But at the end of the day, if your boss decided that it is not do-able, then he will tell us so that we will tell the customer. If he decided to pressure you guys, then it must be do-able? So, don't blame me. I am just the liaison between the customer and internal people. So, don't shoot the person carrying the message!

Sigh! OK! I think I got that out of my system. I guess I should be damn proud of myself since I was extremely calm and polite (at least, I think that I am) and not let myself get into non-constructive situation. I almost damn near started arguing and wham back at the fella to give the fella a piece of my mind! It still irks me how some people can be so narrow minded. I guess this is all because they are so stressed? People that are stressed can say anything yah????

SIGH!!!!!!!!This job sucks! I know that I basically need to be the meanest person around when things goes wrong or do not meet the required schedule. I am basically the one that 'shout', 'scream' and/or 'beg' so that I can satisfy the customer requirement. I am the one that pull strings and pressure my colleagues to make sure that they meet the schedule. And can be extremely harsh when there is a potential miss in schedule. This is the cons of the work.

The pros? Well, in the middle of all the juggling act, the pressure, the challenges and craziness, there are something good that I can say about this job. Job satisfaction for achieving the required delivery schedule and quantity. The experience gained, the adreanaline rush and ermm...power I guess, does makes a lethally addictive thing. Why else do you guys think people like me stay in the same job (albeit different company). We just love the rush!! hahaha..

Short Talk: How come still Thursday?

This is going to be another short one..not much time or energy. I just arrived at the hotel after a very very very very very long day...Can't believe that it is still Thursday~! It sure felt as if a few days has gone by since I board the plane to Penang. In fact, it felt as if I been to Penang and Kedah a few days. In actual fact, the taxi came to pick me up at 6.15am and I woke up at 5.30am to make sure that I am ready when the taxi arrive. And only check-in the hotel at 9.30pm. So, now is 10.06pm, just took my bath and definitely getting ready for a beautiful good night. Especially with a tummy full of yummy fresh seafood. Can still remember the bbq mud crab that we had. So meaty, so fresh, so yummy..the crab roe...DROOL! Right, enough liaw. Sleep!!!! MUCKSS!!!!

Tag

Got this tag from Rose the other day and thought that since I am not in the mood to do much work today (not that I have nothing to do mind you), thought this would be fun!

Attached or single? Attached

B. Best friend? What am I suppose to say here ah? Provide the names of my best friend? I think I will just say, yes, got best friends.

C. Cake or pie? Can I say BOTH?

D. Day of choice? Any day that I don't have to work!

E. Essential item? MONEY, what else is there?

F. Favorite color? Blue

G. Gummy bears or worms? Gummy bears

H. Hometown? Malaysia

I. Favorite indulgence? Rich yummy chocolate cake with rich thick soothing cuppa coffee

J. January or July? Neither, now is Novem

K. Kids? Not yet. Need to concentrate on getting married first

L. Life isn’t complete without? My babe, family and friends ^_^

M. Marriage date? 29 Dec 2008

N. Number of magazine subscriptions: Err..I buy when I feel like reading them lar

O. Oranges or apples? Oranges

P. Phobias? FROG! I cannot even typing them without a shiver going thru me!

Q. Quotes? ??? Life is full of surprises waiting for discovery

R. Reasons to smile? When things are bad, smiling will makes it more bearable somehow ^_^

S. Season of choice? Rain but must be when I am in the house with a book and snuggle close to babe on the sofa with a steaming cuppa of drink

T. Tag 5 people. Dun wanna tag any1 specifically. Any1 crazy enough or have nothing to do, can just copy and do the tag!

U. Unknown fact about me? If it is unknown, how in the world am I suppose to tell??

V. Vegetable? I must say brocolli.

W. Worst habit? Babe, what is my worse habit ah? I think nagging hor?

X. X-ray or ultrasound? Neither....

Y. Your favorite foods? Favorite food....favorite food..can't think right now....

Z. Zodiac sign? Aries

PHEW!! DONE!!!

5 versus 2

Monday...I feel like moaning and groaning at the fact that today is Monday. But then I wouldn't be very fair to Monday because I moan and groan about other days that are not weekend too. However, somehow, Monday also seem to be getting the worst from me every time. Maybe it have to do with the fact that there are so many things to do and complete. Or maybe it is because every Monday(or first day of the week), we have to write our weekly report on what we did last week.

Or maybe it was simply because the weekend felt too short? Well, can't blame me for feeling that way, 5 workday versus 2 off days. So, that is 5 to 2 ratio which is definitely not fair right? So, I don't see why I need to be fair to Monday. Of course, unless the day after Monday is a public holiday or Monday itself is a holiday, then, I won't mind giving all my love to Monday. I wonder if it will make any different if Monday simply disappear from the planet earth or decided to join Saturday and Sunday to become the cool Weekend. Then it will be 4 workday versus 3. Now, then, that would be a 4 to 3 ratio, which sounds much fairer does it not?

Of course, then Tuesday won't be very happy because Tuesday will be the target of all the moaning, groaning and grumbling. So, Tuesday might crumble under the pressure and join Monday and the Weekend gang. Oh yes, then Workday will be outnumbered! Hhmm, a fantastic 4 Weekend versus 3 workday. I think I can live with that.

But won't it be great if Friday decided to cross over to Weekend as well. After all, Friday has always been considered one of the favorites too, albeit, of course, second to Weekend. Ah HA! Then it will definitely be great for all because the ratio is still the same, 5 to 2 but with different distribution! 5 Weekend and 2 workday! All that agrees, say 'DAYDREAM'!!

This photo has nothing to do with my posting today but I am putting it here because it is PRETTY! HEHE!! One of the photo that my colleague took with her D80 canon camera, which tempted me further to get one of my own! But economy not good lar, I think I better save up hard cold cash for raining days..*sigh* Anyone know sure way to win the Toto Mega RM20M?

Right, enough nonsense from me. Can't believe I can actually typed a whole posting on nonsense! That shows how much last two days energize me!

Lunch @ Izzi Pizza, Pasta & Coffee @ PJ, again..

As usual, every Friday, we will take a break from packed food and go for something different. Yesterday, we decided to go to Izzi at Damansara Uptown since there is a 75% discount promotion there. The condition is that we need to spend a minimum of RM75 before discount in order to get the 75% discount, meaning RM75 but pay less than RM20. Since we been there before and enjoy the food alot, we decided that the discount is definitely worth going for.

We left the office at around 12noon and by the time we arrive, the place is almost bursting at its seam. I mean, there are so many people there. But we were lucky because the moment we arrive, we were able to grab a sit that is nearest to the door and desserts! *grin*. Those that were a few minutes late were not so lucky. In fact, they had to wait to be seated.

Basically, we were given a separate menu with 75% and that is actually almost everything in the normal menu. The discounted menu stated very clearly that the portion are normal size although it is discounted. However, the discounted menu does not include drinks and dessert though. So, I guess that is their cash cow since a single can drink cost RM4.50+ and if you want those refillable type, then RM8.90+.

As usual, I don't have my camera! HAHA! But thanks to one of my colleague enthusiam with her D80 canon camera, she agreed to be my blog food photo supplier (THANKS!!!MUCKS!) hahaha.. So, here we go:

Izzi Cafe - Makes me feel like bursting into songs that goes something like this: Izzi Pizzi, so easy. Yumm yummmy

Cuanaja (RM4.90) - I think one of the ingredient is bitter sweet chocolate. And ermm, we had dessert as our appetizer!! :P hahaha

Cream of Chicken soup(Price: RM2.45) - very thick and creamy. The white color on top is actually cream. Super delicious!

Ceaser salad Full Size (RM4.95) - nothing special about this. Abit dissappointing because the first time we ate them, it was really nice, creamy and the ceaser dressing was fantastic! Don't know what happened this time..

Pollo Tropicale Pizza regular (RM8.20) So so so very cheesy! Very thin crust with plenty of topping. You can see from the pictures that the toppings are practically dropping on the plate.

Margherita Pizza regular (RM6.45) - this is basically tomato and cheese pizza. Simple but delicious!

Chicken steak with pasta (RM7.70) - Chicken with mushroom sauce, pasta and vegetable salad. The chicken and sauce goes perfectly with the pasta. But the salad was abit plain without any dressing on it.

We also had 4 drinks for 4 of us. We paid a total of RM57.05, i.e. average RM14.25 per person. I think for a meal like this, it is pretty reasonable. Not sure when the promotion will end since it was not indicated. I think we might go there again but not sure when though. You know lar, everything is going up in price although the petrol price is dropping. I wonder what excuses the merchants are using now to keep the price at where they are. Thank goodness for places like Izzi Pizza, Pasta & Coffee. At least I can still splurge occassionally without feeling too much burn on the purse.

My Mom, My Dad, Being A Mom...

Although I love my mom very much but sometimes, she really gets on my nerve! Even this far away from my parents, she still managed to irritate me early in the morning. Don't get me wrong. I miss them very much and is extremely homesick whenever I think of them. But, sometimes with my mom, I think our role is reversed! Instead of she being the one to guide and the place for me to turn to when I am in need, I will usually just keep everything to myself or turn to my close friends for advice. I think it is because I know how much my parents will worry if I do tell them my troubles or worries.

My mom, on the other hand, will have no qualm at all to load me with all her worries and burden. From the big thing such as being sick to the smallest thing such as bro not helping her with the housework. Secretly, I think she did this on purpose to make me feel guilty so that I move my butt back to Kch to work. Yah, my mom is naive in that way. I guess she never truly accepted the fact that I am a 30+ lady that will be getting married end of this year! Sincerely speaking, I am not sure how to communicate with her.

In fact, come to think of it, I never have good communication with my parents. Of course I do love them very much and care alot about them. But I just can't talk to them. I don't mean the normal talk-talk but rather a more heart-talk, if you know what I mean. I envy babe's family and relatives because it seems to me that the kids can say anything to their parents and not be worried at all. Open communication, that is the word that I am looking for.

Maybe it is the way my dad brought us up. I still remember when we were young, he will tell us not to interrupt the adults when they are talking (kids nowadays have no problem with interrupting and demanding what they want when their parents are talking which I find rather rude sometimes). Also, I remember we were ever told not to make too much noise when there are guests at home or something like that. I think my bro and I always have a healthy fear for our dad because he can be pretty strict. (Images of being punished for not doing homework - school bags being thrown out the door *gasp* and scolded and punished to look at the wall to contemplate my mistake *sigh*)

I hope that I will be able to have a more open communication with my kids, when I have kids lar. But at the same time, I want to bring my kids up to be responsible adults too. Meaning, I need to give them enough freedom to grow but also guidance to make sure that they turn out to be fantastic independent high achiever with great IQ and EQ! WoW! No babies yet and already the pressure on them..hhmm.....

Recipe from Guilt?

During the weekend, I was feeling guilty for leaving babe alone at home for so long and I know that most likely I will traveling again next week. So, decided to cook something different. I actually bought some prawn the week before when I was in the wet market. If you remember, that was the first time I went to the wet market in Menjalara and promptly got myself lost! Anyways, on Saturday morning, babe actually woke up at 10.30am and usually when he is awake. Reason, me light sleeper lar. Abit of noise will wake me up and very hard for me to go back to sleep.

So, after lazing around for awhile, babe suddenly say he want to eat the mud crab again. So, around 11.30am, we went to the wet market. Bought more crabs and some pork (of course). And this time, since he is around, we managed to get back by 12.30pm. Immediately, I went to the kitchen to clean up and cook for our late lunch (brunch actually since we not yet have breakfast). Decided to cook the mud crab in kicap (soya sauce) this time and also cook big huge prawn.

The prawn is really big and look juicy. Usually, I would just steam the prawn with some ginger and garlic. But since I bought the prawn a week ago, not so sure if it still fresh enough to steam. Instead, decided to cook it in a way the sauce is so thick that it will stick to the prawn. And since the best way to eat prawn is to peal it with your fingers, then all the gravy will stick to the fingers making it finger-licking-good!


The ingredient:
Chopped big onion
1 teaspoon of thick sweet soya cause
1 teaspoon oyster sauce
1 teaspoon chilli sauce
1 teaspoon tomato sauce
500gm large fresh water prawns
pepper and salt to taste

Stir fry the chopped onion in some cooking oil. Add in the prawn and stir fry till the prawn are half cook (reddish/pink color). Add in all the sauces and fry till it is cook. Add pepper and salt to taste. DONE! Easy or not? And it is definitely finger-licking-good!! YUMM...

Short Talk: I am going insane

Short one again. I been neglecting my blog! But seriously, not much time and energy to do much after my trip back. So much work to catch up on and things to do. On top of that, I was on leave on Monday, so, need to catch up from that day too. Also, will be going again to Kulim next week on Thursday and will only come back on Saturday afternoon.

I am only glad that I come to work early nowadays and can get some of the work done before 9am when the actual craziness of the day start. I wonder this how it will be for me for the rest of the year. Travel here and there. I mean, next week, I travel. Then, less than a month later, I am on 2 weeks leave back to Kuching! I am looking forward to that eventhough I know there will be plenty of last minutes things to do when I go back. But I am still looking forward to it! :P

Sigh..ok lar, enough for now. Back to work for me..

STUPID AIRASIA!

I am so angry at AirAsia right about now! I received an sms at 9.29pm just now and the sms read like this:

Urgent! AirAsia Flight AKXXXX From Penang to KUL(LCCT) on 31OCt08 is now retimed to 10.30pm(2230hrs). For more info pls call 60387754000 or 60386604343.

My flight was originally at 9pm tomorrow night it is delayed by 1.5hours! I have already make all the necessary arrangement, late check out, taxi and so forth so that I can be at the airport with sufficient time to go through the traffic jam if there is any. Now, everything is all messed up. End up, I will be waiting at the airport for more than 4hours based on the current retime! What in the world am I suppose to do at the stupid airport?

To make matter worse, I called the numbers given in the sms and was promptly informed by the electronic machine that the operating hours is between 8am to 9pm. If that is the case, wouldn't it reasonable to make sure that the passengers received them BETWEEN the time so that they can actually CALL to ask for more information???? What is point of sending out the sms AFTER the operating hours!!?!?!? I really don't get it.

When I checked online, there are actually only 4 flights out of Penang to KUL(LCCT) tomorrow. And the flight immediately before the 9pm one is at 12.25pm! That means I will need to leave the hotel by 9.30am if I want to be at the airport with sufficient time to check in. After all, counter do really close 45min before flight time right?? So, this mean that AirAsia is forgiven for retiming ANY flight they want and MERGE it with a later flight but we are not allowed to check in if we missed the 45min marker even by 5minutes??? Also, I am pretty sure I can't leave at 9.30am since I have to call in to join a conference call at 9am tomorrow morning! SHIT!

To hell with Fernandez promise to keep to below 2 hours delays or they will pay the passengers. So what if you are THE fastest growing lowcost carrier in Malaysia now. If there is another lowcost carrier that is more efficient and on-time with the price to match, I bet AirAsia would not have any loyal customers at all! It seems that the word 'flight delay' ties really closely to EVERY AirAsia flight. I hope when he go blog hopping, he stumble on this!

Yes, I am fuming and hopping mad. Wouldn't you be if you know that you will be wasting time because someone wants to make more profit instead of keeping their promise??????

Penang Assam Laksa

Short one, just to show what I had for dinner last night at Gurney Drive. Yup, made it after about 20minutes walked from the hotel. I was a little too early because most of the stalls were still not opened or just getting ready to open. Was thinking of having the famous Penang fried kueh teow but it was not open yet. So, had this instead, Assam Laksa. The taste it not bad. Noodles in thick spicy sourish gravy with a fishball and hardboil egg. It tasted abit like the belacan beehoon we have in Kuching but the gravy is thicker here. So, the photo to share:


Only 1 photo you ask me? YAP! Pathetic I know but was too tired to take more. Big battle at my vendor and aching feet makes me less than excited to take more photos. Maybe tonight if things are good and I can get back to my hotel with rejoicing heart.