1st Time : Petronas Family Day

After a bout of rah-rah about internet being back into my life, I didn't actually get back into the internet! 3 months later, I realize I'm paying RM60 (RM61.05 to be exact) for unlimited internet every month and using it only for 10 minutes a day (on average)! omg. that's 5 hours a month and that means, RM12 for an hour. Feels a bit like a loss. time to tell some stories...

Today I have a chance to join my colleagues in taking part in the Petronas Family Day. We have been taking part for 4 years and I heard it has been the same thing for 4 years. So really, all of us newbies are experiencing it as what it is.

5.30am: PJ gang decides to be different and goes for breakfast early in the morning. We still so cannot believe that Harry, who usually wakes up at 2pm on weekends, also joined us. We had dim sum. yum.

6.30am: Not sure where Bangi is. "No problem lah.. got time, got petrol.."

7.20am: We're here!! Omg.. we're early...

7.30am: The hotel sponsors hot air balloon rides and of course, we have to get on it first to test it out - is it safe, etc.. "Get on the hot air balloon first before the crowd starts queueing up!! yay!! "


8.00am: The rest of the team arrives staggeredly. Just like every year, we have nasi lemak for breakfast courtesy of Js who was late last year... and the year before that. Like really late. Like 10.00am late...

Wei having nasi lemak~

This year Js arrived at 7am.

8.30am: Soon the set up was done... the crowd started queueing up for the hot air balloon ride. I was assigned as the Hot Air Balloon Crowd Control with Lilian. Basically, we had gates for them to queue in and I basically have to tell them it is for 4 persons max and had to basically take lots of family photos for them. Nice job.

Just like every year, we had the Ping Pong game. You're given 3 ping pong balls, and all you have to do is try to land them into any of the 30 cups set in front of you. Easy right? And when you get even just one ball in, you get our limited edition Traders Eco-friendly Shopper Bag! (photo to follow soon). It smells organic too~ phew!

Now, if you don't get any of the 3 balls in, you can try again. and again!

And if we don't really want you to try anymore, you get our limited edition Traders Eco-friendly Shopper Bag!
*This cycle went on till 11.30 when we finish

9.00am: The candy floss machine starts up! Jon, our super multitasking dude joined us wearing his Pastry kitchen uniform. Just last week he was in Engineering. And the week before that, I thought I spot him in Front Office uniform. aaanyways, our machine was a bit cranky so yes, we got the orange candy floss on stick, nice and easy and made some kids happy. But the floss flies up a lot and covers poor Jon in melted sugar.
But Jon never fails to enjoy his job. Look how he stood out in blue!

It is also about this time we started giving out lollipops!

Oh, the sugar rush! Candyfloss, unlimited lollipops... you have some kids starting to turn cranky. An anonymous mom told me when I wanted to offer her son a lolli "No! No more! Look at him!"

The little boy was kicking her shoes with his left leg, and then his right and then goes around her and then repeats the kick again.. this went on for a while and I decided that, yes, he's had enough sugar for the day.

10.00am: Was abandoned by Lilian as she had to sit by the laptop to key in contacts. Was abandoned by Harry as he had to go smoke.

10.15am: The sun shines in full blast rays...



Just like every year, we stand around trying to be useful...


10.30: Abandons Crowd Control job. Too hot! Attempted to help with Ping Pong game. But picking up ping pong balls suck too. Abandons camp to go spread the word about Traders - by giving out our limited edition Traders Eco-friendly Shopper Bag.

Also took part in Impiana'sgame booth to try win some prizes but sadly lost. Chowchow got a free night stay at Impiana! With breakfast somemore! It is loudly suggested and rumoured that he will take Wei with him.

11.15: Hot air balloon does its last ride as it was getting too warm. Group photo!!! (photo to follow soon)

11.30: head on to the famous Sate Kajang~

12.00pm: Arrives at Sate Kajang! everyone ate the same thing - Sate. Only last year, one of our colleague insisted on Soup Noodles. This year, that did not happen because she has left. Everyone ordered Coconut drinks too. Instead, the dude brought out a crate of Coca-cola. Of course, we had them sent back and got us real Coconuts. And then they gave all of us plastic spoons so we couldn't scoop out the flesh.

In any case, that was good pre-lim lunch.

12.45pm: Head back to PJ! "This is a good time to sleep!" says I. JC plays game on his iPhone, everyone else try to get comfy and fitted into their little spot in the car. Driver AP feels crappy that he has to drive. It was at this moment that Harry says "This is a good time not to be driving!" After a short bout of F words, everyone doze off.

1.30pm: reach home!

2.00pm: knocked out.

camerons : in touch with nature

Just about 2 weeks ago I went to Cameron Highlands! It was pretty much impromptu and I love impromptu trips! I love the whole Just Go spirit! So here we gooo... on a healthy diet and fresh air trip!

winding

winding...

oh the roads are so curvy... getting dizzy... my butt is moving from left to right... my head is swaying! help!

Luckily, everyone survived the whole ordeal. Some resorted to drugs but I just ate some pringles and went to sleep. Haha.. whatever works.


First stop: Strawberry farm!!

So cute!!!!!!!!

My first time seeing strawberries and I was very happy. Though it was pretty sunny and hot too.

"wtf. Why is it so hot?"

Being the youngest and first time in Cams, I asked the most questions.

"Why the strawberries so small one?"

because the big ones are protected in the other gated areas.. haha!

And then we went to Kea's Market!

They have sooo many stalls here selling fruits, flowers, corn, vegetables, mushrooms, strawberries strawberries strawberries.

Somehow those aunties keep on trying their selling pitch on my guy colleague and it works all the time..
"Come la leng chai! Buy la.. u buy 4, I give you cheaper!" ok la ok la..

then suddenly she pulls out this huge gigantic packet from the back of the store,

"ah, since you buying so much, why not buy this whole bunch!! cheap only..."


Suddenly, we have like 2 dozens of corn. Suddenly, we have like 20 bags of vege. Suddenly, the car is filled with flowers... oh boy..

Wah! Big eggplant!

Finally we checked in!
Bala's chalet.. do not be deceived by its name because it is actually very English..

Beautiful, quiet and gives us the Smokehouse experience without having to stop by the Smokehouse.


I want to own this place!!!
Our chalet which opens out to the courtyard with lots of chilling spots..There you have 5 hoteliers coming up with brilliant ideas to spruce up this place and market it.. damn I want this property.

Anyways, we decided to drive to the "atas" Equatorial for a look and yes, beautiful view...
but boring rooms...

Then we went to look at all those flower shops along the roads.. Here they sell everything in pots - flowers, chillies, cactus, strawberries...




Then we headed to the night market which is only available on Fridays and Saturdays...

Lotsa food on offer!Strawberry ice cream too!
But I still prefer Verry Verry Strawberry at BR.. :D

We had steamboat which was very regular but one thing great is the vegetables are free!!! just top up as much as you want.. it is freeeee!

We even had durians.. but too excited so no photos here.. haha..

At the night market, they sold everything that they offer such as fruits, flowers, vege and strawberries.. but also a lot of merchandise with strawberries on it. It is funny how Cams have strawberries as its icon. Even pyjamas bright orange pyjamas with strawberry prints! I told my friend that wearing that will totally spoil anyone's love life.

It rained in the evening (bummer) but the next morning, we woke up to a beautiful morning!!

Cold and misty... just the kind of temperature we need. Like, it was hot yesterday and we were like, wtf??

So cold! I like!!! See :D it's like I can imagine the scene in Twilight here up in the mountains...


And just the right setting to visit my favourite place of them all!!


The tea plantation!!
Chan!

That's where we're going to have breakfast!! coming up!!
On the way... hungry... but want to take photos like no tomorrow...

I'm sooo impressed with what I see here..
Beautiful architecture and design...

Loved the whole semi outdoor atmosphere and well taken care facilities...

We had breakfast right at the edge itself!

Partly due to my whining...

"Don't want to sit here! must sit outside!!!"

because it was full outside where the view is the best but lucky lucky... some uncles were leaving...
we had the obligatory scones with butter and jam.. delicious! and the tea was of course gold blend... and then there was a little squel from me "I want nasi lemak!!"

Eating nasi lemak here is so nice. It's cold and the sambal is hot.. can only be described as "shiok".

Beautiful! I want a weekend house here!!!
If only the roads are not so windy..

The whole Tea Centre is filled with history of Boh and it was artfully done..


And I find Mr Boh adorable! How come I never knew about him... hmm Comms not strong..
We also had a tour of the tea factory... oh.. cannot tahan the smell here... The strong tea smell as the leaves are crushed and rolled..
Finally, we left with a very satisfied tummy of scones and tea...

I'll miss you!

But not before stopping by Kea's Market for more strawberrys and vege shopping...

sappy

I woke up this morning and the first thing that came to mind was the last thing that was on my mind when I drifted into slumber... "I don't want to be old!!"

I'm in the midst of a long weekend (whoopah!) and what better to do than catch up on some reading... and I happen to catch up on some sappy romance stories.

Its time to take a break from those self enrichment crap that I have lying around within reaches. It is quite difficult to comprehend why we just like to be told what to do ya. Well, they are not crap. Crap don't cost that much. They are just materials that, erm, I grab when I'm too free/feeling bored/feeling uninspired/eating an apple? They seem to be part of the metal particles that make up the steps on a ladder - an enhancement to the steps, I suppose.

Anyways, I have just finished The Notebook - courtesy of my buddy at work. It is a pretty short story written by a guy who looks like a fitness instructor (Nicholas Sparks) with a hollywood smile but it has pretty intense sweet love in it. Like in loads of decades.

I finished this book in a day and this morning, I woke up thinking, I don't want to be old! Closer to the end, the lead characters are both old and suffering. One from Alzheimer's (which is the worse of all) and another from various thinghies that old people eventually suffer from. I don't want to imagine coming to that stage. But of course at the very end, there is actually a twinkling of a happy ending. And to still be so in love when you're that old and sick - just the recipe for one of the most touching stories around. It's like reading Twilight x2.

Except that in Twilight, they all remain beautiful and young. I feel horrible now. I feel bad for the leads in the story. I always stay affected for a few days. My friends do not get this. The girls probably will. I have to read something cheerful or funny to neutralize it. Its either I stick to teeny boppy twilight-like books or serious newsweek or some enrichment craps for a while now. Or watch an even sadder Korean movie where one of the leads will surely have some illness. Sometimes I think maybe the amounts of BBQ that they consume inspire the scriptwriter's eventual conclusion that the sickness will be cancer. It's mostly cancer.

Or maybe I should just go out for some retail therapy..haaa.. for this, everyone gets it.

Sexy Lips are taking a retreat!

Oh man! It's been a while...


I've just been too busy to think of anything interesting at all to post here. I mean, lotsa new things are happening but I can't just go like this:

"Wow, today, I learn the techniques of speaking to clients. This is interesting to me because I have not done this before and I'm really nervous about meeting clients on my own soon."

or like this:

"So today I met a very nice client who even offered me a cup of tea while I talked about my hotel."

or about Bee again:

"Today I brought Bee for a shower again and he squeaked in delight and wagged its tail".


Yawnz.


So, today I accompanied our Japanese sales manager on one of the visits and while waiting for a client to appear, which is when I sometimes feel makes them feel nice and important, I suddenly thought that hey, this is really funny. Even the receptionists were trying not to LOL at us.


I spy with my little camera...


Oh man, those security guards point their temperature guns at us and shoved this onto our faces. "Wear this".

OK...

Now, if a Sales Manager has lips like Angelina and uses it to her advantage by capturing the attention of the clients or whatever is in their imagination, she'll have to re-think her strategy now. Maybe wear more perfume or edgier outfits to leave an impression.

We were told to put these masks on right after we "secretly behind-the-scene" reapplied lipstick and gloss in perfect alignment with the contours of our lips whilst being careful not to cause "lipstick bleeding".

"Aiyo, next time no need to put lipstick anymore. Wasting!"
"If I have to wear this again, I'll have to reapply foundation before the next visit!"
"The client won't even know if we are smiling at them you know!"
"I think it is smearing my lipstick now."
"Ya, how are they going to know if we are sincere??"
"Now we have to really work on the eye make up la because all the attention is there!"
"Do I have to speak louder?"
"Eh, is this mask clean or not. Did you see the guard holding it? Not very clean yah"


And our meaningless rants and questions go on until the client appears, feeling nice and important.


Somehow, the duration of "waiting for the client to show up at the reception" churns out the funniest moments of my sales calls. Maybe I will record more of it to create another chapter in my life. o_O

going green

.... and I thought I was a bit paranoid with taking care of my little potted plant Bobbee and his new water-based sister Dee-Dee. When they look kinda wilt-ish, I water them and touch their leaves to make sure they know I'm there. I even introduce them to all my colleagues. But I just found out there are people who takes this more seriously than I ever did!

Maxine: Psst!!
Me: *whisper* yes? er, why are we whispering?
Maxine: *whisper* Ms Nora is going to give you one of her.. wait

*use her palms to cover Dee-Dee so Dee-Dee won't hear our conversation.

Maxine: .. going to give you one of her plants. Also water-based. You have to think of a new name for it and think where to put it!
Me: *whispers back* OK! Let's see... not sure. Have to see it first!

*removes palms around Dee-Dee*

Maxine: OK. I'm going to inherit one of the plants as well. Do you think Emily is a good name?
Me: Sounds nice! One of the more popular names.. but..
Maxine: Each time I think of Emily, I think of Emily Rose
Me: Yes, exactly what I wanted to say. Better not.


Our Front Office Manager treats her plants like her pets as she speaks to them and praise them when they look fresh and pretty. She's being promoted and is leaving to another sister hotel for her new challenges but sadly, her pets cannot follow... so we are inheriting it!


FOM: Its OK. You'll have a new owner who will take good care of you. Really good care, OK?

At first I thought it was just basically speaking to the plants in general... like how are you all today?

But she acknowledges each of them and with a meaningful look. Like having a conversation. No wonder they are so healthy. Wow. I thought I was alone in this world where I'm the only one who talks to inanimate objects until now! So, I'm pretty normal after all. Try suing me for talking to my plants!

On the day we inherited the plants...

Maxine: Awww... I shall name you Lovely... Yvonne, is Lovely a good name for her?
Me: Yeah, she is lovely after all..
Maxine: And you, Beauty... aww... tomorrow I'll clean you up, OK?


You see, Maxine is new to plants. So this is like her first baby. There is bound to be more fuss and frills for these plants. Like the first time parent, the baby has priority in everything. Even a place on her desk.

Me?

Maxine: So, what are you going to name your new family member?
Me: Well, I'm going to buy a bigger bowl and merge Dee-Dee with him and they can flourish and have lotsa leaves(children) together...
Maxine: How did you know the new plant is a male? How sure are you?
Me: hmm... I guess it doesn't matter.. they are.. erm.. homos...
Trainee: *choke choke*
Maxine: Hmm.. that will do.

corrected

So, in all my confusion and limitations (17th floor too high so WiMax cannot reach, it seems), I have decided to just go and ask this WiMax counter boy at my place about the possibilities of utilizing their services, because I was getting sick of the irregularities and unpredictable state of my current service provider and am paying a lot for it! Crappo!!

I asked him about WiMax and he tried to "upsell" to me. Seriously, that's all everyone's doing lately. Upsell, that is.

Then he also decided to introduce their new Wiggy thinghy to me.

So I said, "Oh, I know about that. The wiggy (I pronounced it as wee gee) right?"

Then he decided that enough is enough! What's wrong with all these customers! Getting the name wrong!! He said, "Er, actually, it is wee-jee..."

"Oh. Oh.... really? erm, the 'wee jee'. Of course."

OK, I have yet to talk to someone else who works with WiMax. I need clarifications.


Like, do you pronounce piggy bank as pee jee bank?



Why, ah? hmmm.....

finally?

So.

It is past Good Friday now.

Before this, I told myself that the moment I reach Saturday, I shall eaaaaaaaat chocolates! Like I mean it! Like a big kid, I announced that I'm going to hunt down alllll the Easter Bunnies Chocolates and eat 'em all! Move aside kiddies! (To which my bossy pointed out that it wasn't what Easter is all about. I know...)

But it has been a whole 23 hours and I did not gobble chocolates like I'm having THAT time of the month x 12. x 12!

:)

Because to fast is not about to end up indulging in it later on, right? Then, it would just be self torture.


Anyways, no chocs and no meat for me yesterday for Good Friday. One of my colleagues joined me on the Vegetarian flavoured Maggi cup noodles lunch yesterday. For her religious purposes, she has her own meat-fasting vows for Tuesdays and Fridays.

"I'm not even supposed to have sex on these days."

"And not even think about it!" she announced.

To which we were quite sceptical. o_o


"But I can't help it la."


By the way, we had a farewell party that day in the staff lounge and, man, were the desserts deeelicious. Ooh, mini strawberries. Ooh, watermelon. Ooh, tiny oval-shaped choc cake with super big chocolate chip shaped choc topping and mini chocolate piece stuck on the choc topping created by our pastry team. You just can never over-do chocolates. Everything goes.

*pops a piece into my mouth*

"mm..... MMm!!! MMM!!!!"
"What? What? Does it taste bad??" asks Maxine trying to understand my mumbling which suddenly turned too exciting.
"mmm-mm-mm!!"
"hmm? oh! Cho-co-late?" Spit it out! Spit it out!"

hahaha....

"It's OK. You didn't swallow it."
"Yeah... Man, that was good cake over there."
"It's OK. Only 2 more days to go."

I can almost imagine people shaking their heads disapprovingly.


The in came my dessert buddy Iris, prancing happily into the office.

"So, is our brownie plan at DELIcious still on?!"
"hahaha... yes, yes..."


Happy Easter, people! :D

grammy

It was a pretty humbling trip back home this weekend as I went to help mom with looking after grammy for the "afternoon shift". Aunt Lily does morning and Aunt Lucina does night. Mom does the afternoon one.

As posted on facebook:

Today, I went with mom to grammy's house. Grammy is old now and can't really take care of herself. aunty Lily is looking after her there. She needs people to feed her, bathe her, etc... my job was to fan her with the super traditional rattan fan. The table fan/ceiling fan is just sooo uncool. Cool ya, grammy? My other job, when I'm not fanning her, is to apply eucalyptus oil on her temples and chest. She likes the minty feeling.

Grammy likes to hold people's hands/arms when she has nothing to do. Maybe she felt it was comforting. And warm. She says her fingers felt cold. She likes warm hands.

So while I was fanning her, she decided to reach out and hold my hands. OK, grammy, here you go, my hands.

I think she felt I was no good. She let go after 5 seconds and call for my mom. Because my fingers were not too warm and my wrists were pretty small. She didn't bother to reach out for my hands anymore after that. -_-

Oh well...


It was painful to see grammy because it was obvious she was suffering. Her actions, her words. I feel like it was how I felt when I'm sick, helpless, weak and in pain all over. Nothing is wrong - it is just the body weakening day by day due to age. sigh.

On the bright side, she has her own daughters caring for her. She hates strangers. Me too, grammy. :)

boys' girl talk

The trainees I get in my department never fails to entertain me.

A conversation between Aa (not his real name), Bb (not his real name either) and me.


Me: Hey! You skin looks better now after your break. What happened?
Aa: Oh, right? You noticed. Yea, now I can smile. I bought a new moisturiser.
Me: Really? Which one did you get?
Aa: Clinique. Is that a good brand?

Bb: Why? Your skin had problem? Go to New York la.
Aa: Huh?
Me: Oh, that New York Skin Solutions ah?
Bb: Eh, you know about it? You go there too?
Me: No lah. I just know the name from reading newspapers...
Aa: Is it good?

Me: Eh, wait a minute. You go to New York? You go for facials?! Even I don't go for facials!
Bb: Go la... It is good for your skin. I bought a package last time. RM3000.00 for 10 sessions.
Me: Gasp!
Aa: Really? Is it effective?
Bb: Ya. After 3 sessions you can see the difference already. You should try it.
Aa: But RM3000. Quite expensive right.
Bb: Last time I bought the package because I got chicken pox and there were really huge scars you know. My father sent me there.
Aa: Oh. So now your skin better ya..
Me: Gasp! Your father sent you there??
Bb: Ya.
Me: Scared you cannot find girlfriend?
Bb: Ya. Exactly. He told me with the scars cannot find girlfriend..
Aa: So where is this New York place?
Bb: etc etc etc
Aa: etc etc etc...
Bb: etc etc etc.....


*I went to the bathroom and came back and they were still discussing the details.

Me: Omg, can you all discuss about something else? I'm not used to this.
Aa: Yvonne, do you think I should go and try?
Bb: Its OK. You can try.. etc etc... then they have their own products etc etc etc...
Aa: I'm just thinking... etc etc...


Me: *Look away* sigh.

my first concert

Snippet:

Iris: Wah. That was great! When did you first went to a concert?
Me: This is the first!
Iris: OMG! So exciting! This is a wonderful moment. Take a photo!!


Well... yeah. Jason Mraz's concert last Wednesday at Stadium Negara was my first! And it was great! Very simple, pretty laid back. Just him and his guitar. And his very adorable band.


Some photos:

The crowd building up...

Jason appears!

Him and his signature hat

Loved the lighting...

The crowd in full!

Penny arrives (late-ish) and did a lukewarm performance with Jason...

I honestly think they should change her stylist... if there is one...

Jason on his own again (after about 3 minutes) and glows!

Group shot!

humbly they go...

A very pleasant and entertaining first time experience for me! More to go! Way to go Jason!