the green issue: office plants

Just the other day I was washing my mug in the office pantry, I suddenly noticed that there were a lot of greeneries in my office pantry. Too many for such a tiny space - 2m x 2m. No, seriously, the office pantry is that small. No, seriously. Come have a look! It's free. :)

Anyhoo, sometimes, the office/working place/home #2 feels like a bleak place. But apart from the blinding number of emails and phone calls to answer, long hours, below zero temperature which freezes up your muscles, the very snug pantry aka Office Plants Graveyard (OPG) etc... we don't really have it as bad as the other living things in there: the abandoned plants.

With all the magazines out there screaming "GREEN iS the new Black!" I figured I too shall pay a tribute to the greeneries in my office. The under-privileged ones, that is.

Case #1: Mr Tall
Length of stay in OPG: more than 1.5 years
Location: Next to coffee machine
The Abandoner: Unknown.
History: It has just been there always.



Look at it grow - full of optimism and vitality. This plant has been there even before I joined this office. Like 1.5 years ago. It is like the pioneer of the Abandoned Ones. It has to be! Because no one dares to move it. It gets the premium spot of being next to the coffee machine. Recently the lower leaves have shown some loss of chlorophyll (and spirits), but the younger leaves on top badgers on for optimum sunlight, no flourescent light, to stay alive.


Case #2: Me-in-a-mug
Length of stay in OPG: about 1 year
Location: On top of mini oven
The Abandoner: Unknown.
History: Sudden appearance on a weekday afternoon.

OK, this one is quite sneaky because I never knew it was in a mug. I thought it was always in a jar, left on top of a tall cupboard in the office. Anyhow, when there are new colleagues, we would pluck some of it and place in a new vase to welcome the new-comer. Sad, right!!

Case #3 + 4: Mr One Leaf Jack and Mr Earthy (a duo)

Length of stay in OPG: 8 months / more than 1.5 years
Location: On the floor beside the water cooler
The Abandoner: Pending investigation
History: too sad...



OK so One Leaf Jack was left there because the leaves used to have white stuff, like it was ill. And then due to lack of care, it is now left with ONE LEAF. The one on the right, Earthy, it the only earth based one in here. It has always been there... and sometimes people accidentally kick it when entering the pantry... poor guys. Sometimes hot coffee splashes on them too. Poor guys indeed.

Case #5: Ms Honey Pot

Length of stay in OPG: One week (latest member!)
Location: Next to sink
The Abandoner: Comms.. well, not by choice. only temporary.
History: The beautiful glass vase which it once called home suddenly split, soaking documents and threatening the safety of the owner's computer leading to its temporary quarantine in an abandoned plastic honey container.

This plant loves its owner very much. The owner fell very sick and has been away on MC for a few days so I guess it got anxious causing the glass to split. No one else touched the vase! Now it is next to the sink. Sometimes dish washing detergent splashes in too. I've moved it a little further away.


Be strong plants! You will find new loving owners soon. Honey Pot, your owner will be back in no time!

Anyone who would like to adopt a plant, please do not hesitate to proceed to the pantry and do mother earth proud.

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.

signs

signs that you have been all about work since counting down on 31 Dec 2009.


1) You have very bad skin
2) You look like you are suffering from malnutrition/could have more nutritious foods
3) You are putting on weight in the wrong places
4) You suddenly find yourself making regular appointments for reflexology and neck and shoulder massage
5) You look like you could use some sleep
6) You ache for a holiday (heeeelllppp)

I am at point 6 now (and all of the above). Ache.For.Holiday. and it is not even mid year yet!

soooo need this. right now.


and the list continues to more drastic side effects..7,8,9... but that shall be kept for another day. Let's see how I, little potato in need of some sand and sea, survive till June then.

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.

monday rocks for once

Am on leave today and man, do I love being off on weekdays. I mean, you can hear the birds chirping!! I still can, by the way. Look at me! Loving and living life at 9.00am! Hahaha...


The best part about not working on Mondays is the semi-smugness you feel as you watch people going to work grudgingly, majority of them silently cursing in their heads, "wtf. wtf. wtf." Some still thinking about yesterday's party. Some still thinking of that top on 50% discount during their Sunday shopping spree, "Should I have bought it?" Some wondered if they remembered to pack their Easter chocolate eggs. Some just did not seem to have woken up as they snoozed all the way, heads bowed low and handbags slipping away with files dropping out of their "Save the Environment" shopper bags.


I took my mommy to the train station and on the way back, I saw a later batch of people going to work. They also have the same look and the almost same invisible speech bubbles except that theirs said "wtf" in capitals. Like, "WTF". Maybe they were running late? hmmm..


I'm going for a swim and sunbath now. Ta!

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.

new year, new look!

I just drew up a proposal for a new look for our little office! Wanna see?


This is before...
Of course my place is the one pink in colour...

And this is after!

With two new table coming in for our 2 new colleagues, we've gotta squeeze a bit. Get closer together-gether.

I drew these with Gliffy.com with their 30 day free trial. This is just one of the many floor plan softwares out there and it is like in those days when I drew floor plans for my kiddie projects. Haha! So, it was somewhat beneficial to my adulthood. Don't look down on your masak-masak play time!

Anyways, the problem with free trials is I have to hope the changes and amendments get confirmed before the 30 days are up!

need trainees

A conversation today...


Yvonne: OMG, we need trainees. I'm so overworked!

Krish: Get some trainees la! Get girls la!

Yvonne: Why?

Krish: You always hire boys! Get some girls la.

Yvonne: ... Oh!! Of course I choose boys la. Hey, I got some cute girls for you before what. That one not cute meh?

Krish: Ya. Now no more! Why?

Yvonne: Coming soon la. OMG, we need trainees.

Krish: Ya la.



People, we are hiring trainees! Apply if you are hot! :D

An Angel or what!

*with Spiderman Theme song by Michael Buble in background

So I have just completed 2 gruelling weeks of trainings. I'm now certified as an Angel!

Well, Training Angel, that is. We have a compulsory 3 days Shangri-La Care training for all new hires and I can now conduct two of the components. Lotsa interesting scenarios and videos.

There is so much ShangCare programmed in my head now that every contact with people around me whether as a service provider or as a customer, I keep imagining how we can go the extra mile for service. And taking notes to use as examples in my next class.


I was having lunch in my usual faithful fusion restaurant with really friendly staff. I think they are Thai and ever so gentle and graceful and smiling. Anyways, I was picking out all the extra onions, dried chilli and ginger from my Kung Pow chicken when I imagined the following scenarios:

Waiter:
"Ms Lee, can I offer you something to read while you wait for your meal? There is an interesting story on the pirates infested Gulf of Aden. So the drama one.

Me: Thanks! I was just going to ask for the papers. You're very thoughtful.

Waiter:
Ms. Lee, here is your Kung Pow chicken. We have added extra chilli as you prefer it to be spicy and the fried egg is half-cooked, just the way you like it. Also, we have already separated the onions, chilli pieces and ginger for you. Do enjoy your meal!

Me: How convenient! Thanks!

Waiter:
Ms. Lee, I notice that your green tea is finishing. Can I offer you another glass?

Me: Sure!


Hahaha! No doubt also that my expectations of customer service has escalated to a new height. I feel that a lot of big corporations do not have the very basic, fundamental element in delivering their products - good customer service.

But then again, a complain is a gift. Don't wanna give it to them. I'll just keep quiet and tell the hundreds of people I meet everyday that I think they provide bad service. And on top of that, just like every true customer, I will add in "salt and pepper opinions" and even offer them some alternative shops to go to. So bitchy ya... but this is not about being bitchy but it is more about human nature. *nod nod*.

fun in the sun and going 360!

"whooppiieeeee!!", went Yvonne.


Thursday was a fun day in the sun! Third installment of my hotel's staff outing, my colleagues went berserk with glee. The remaining 122 of us swarmed into Sunway Lagoon Surf Beach to play a telematch and then after lunch, it was free and easy time.

We hardly ever have time for gatherings and the telematch was a superb way to bond and foster team spirits!

This game was super funny. They were asked to turn 10 times around the stick and then run back to their camp. Almost everyone ran SIDEWAYS! Some ran to other teams and after recovering from the spin, ran back to their own teams embarassed. hahaha... man... and I recorded everything. Will upload later on.

Then it was free and easy. One of the rides I went on was the Tomahawk!

Well, no photos, only videos but it is a ride that turns 360 degrees and pauses momentarily while the passengers were upside down.

I could feel each and every strand of my hair being pulled by gravity when I was upside down. Strange but I don't really feel as terrified as I have been 5 years ago. I didn't leave and took the ride again right after, accompanying my colleague. Again, just laughing and waving at the camera... haha...


I don't really know what was the feeling but I expected some chills and thrills but I was practically... numb. Weird. 2 things went to my mind:

1) Maybe I'm getting older so I'm not so scared anymore.
2) Maybe because I was kinda ill with runny nose and coughing and recurring diarrhea.
3) Maybe the fear of death is not there!


OK, time for alarm and reflect.

McDonald's have never failed to give me reasons to call them for deliveries. Look what I've got this time!


Melman Hairband! Really good for days when you feel like looking silly. Good for relieving stress. Can't wait for Gloria's one!

stuffs in October!

My, my. October is coming to an end! That means a lot of things:

1) End of October Vow (yay!)
2) HR and training stuffs to take care of at the end of every month (aiya)
3) Starting of November! Stress time- Audit, annual staff party, training modules, training needs, development plans, HR plans for 2009, etc etc etc... and mom's bday!
4) Time to plan for December! (hmm hmm!)

Anyways, I had fun in October... let some pictures do some talking:

Went for Fire Safety Training at Bomba Taman Desa! with real fire!

The team was excited

Still kinda excited

This is what we're going to do

Not without taking pictures first! (me and weilynn)

More pictures (omg, notice weilynn and I)

action time!

Moving on to bigger things, we learn a bit about hoses

Like how to carry it properly... omg, mommy!

WARNING!
Do not try to lift the hose reel you see in the corridor/staircase near you unless you really know how to! You may risk the following:

1)Broken rib cage if not carried properly and have the heavy head swing around and hit you
2)Embarassment if the hose comes undone... not cool.
3)If the hose rolls out, you need a big space to roll it back...
4).. which you may not do and risk hindering a fireman's job should there be a fire...
5)...which may result in you getting charged for hindering a fire rescue.. not cool at all...

Anyways, ready...

Go!

The worse part of everything is the cleaning up & rolling back the hose. heavy stuff.

The fun part was getting a ride on the fire truck! bee boo bee boo!

Another training definitely worth mentioning... training to be proper trainers...

That's us!

The only picture I have atm... even training on How to Make Maki Roll!

Well, the Maki Roll was not the focus. The focus was on training the chef on how to train other people and the Maki Roll was an added bonus. Hehe!

It was a really cool training as we had a great mix of departments. That's why I love hotels. We learned a lot and laughed a lot. It was funny watching a bartender learn some demure spa receptionist's work. It was funny watching a front desk staff who has never cooked before make Maki rolls. It was funny watching some clueless HR staff learn professional techniques on changing ashtrays. (that would be me). And THEN, we were also trying to explain lotsa Malaysian terms to our corporate trainee from Canada, Iris, when we naturally use them so often... like Mangkuk and kangkang and Die Die must do and so much more.

Funny through and through! some random quotes...

FO: Thank you very STRONG!
Duty Manager: Mangkuk means bowl... like not so bright you know... like empty bowl...
CT: "You're so bowl!"
FO: Please take a shit! (eh! seat! seat!)
F&B: Don't mix up... it is wine cork not cock... c-o-c-k. (eh! c-o-R-k!)
Trg: You might have 20 people in your apartment.. Department!

My ashtray trainer: "when you see the cigarette butt, B-U-T-T, you know it is time."

Grand finale:

"let us slot into your in between..."

(when playing a game with some new hires and wanting to mix with all of them)

None stop.


On another day, I went around the hotel to take some photos of my colleagues. I told them to show me passion and posers they are! They went to the trouble to set up lotsa scenes for me... Camwhoring is in our blood! My faves:

Your glasses are in safe hands, baby!

First the little bowl, then crushed ice, then martini glass without stem, then shake-a-shake, et voila!

Wouldn't you want this cool coffee cocktail drink on a warm afternoon?

Man, I love hotels!

problem solved

Dialled AirAsia's customer care number (for the 20th time) and left the phone on speaker mode.

Hi! Welcome to Air Asia! For English, please press 1! Untuk Bahasa Melayu, sila tekan 2!

Please be reminded that your conversation may be recorded for training purposes so that we can improve to serve you better. (Maybe this is from McDonalds. I got mixed up.)

All our sales agents still busy due to overwhelming response from our promotion! We'll be with you shortly.

Haha.. just wanted let you guys know what you will hear when you have called them too many times and failed to get to their busy busy sales agent.

So about the itinerary problem. After 20 minutes of listening to the same waiting tone, a lady finally picked up and say hello! (about 20 minutes because I left the phone and went to do some filing and training room set ups etc etc)


I told her about the problem and she said, "Oh your colleague's name is too long! But it is OK, it is just one letter short."


Oh just like that huh...

Pink Phase

Have you ever had a phase where you suddenly favour certain foods and eat so much of it everyday till you can't look at it again for the next two years? I have, I have! I even had a want-a-tattoo phase. But I think that's over with now. Or is it? hmmm...

I'm currently having a phase. It is a pink phase. It all started with the pink wallet which my colleagues at the office lovingly got me for my birthday. Everyone thinks I'm the kind of person who adores pink to death. Then the collection of pink things grew because I like to match my stuff.

So I decided to match my office equipments(because I just can't bring myself to wear pink). My stapler, my pens, my post-it notes, my puncher, my stationeries box, my highlighter, my calculator (seriously), my blade, my everything! I like it when my things are matched in colour. Just need to get a pair of pink scissors, pink glue, pink paper clips and eraser and I'm office complete.

Now everyone really thinks I adore pink to death.

It's OK. At least I now know if anyone steals my stationeries. I'm the only pink in the office. Hah! Except for my boss who has a pink stapler as well.


Anyways, bringing pink phase to a new height! I bought this on impulse last week and boy do I love it!

Smells very nice. Reminds me of Peekaboo because they normally use that Watermelon Playball thing. But upon further chewing, it reminds me of lotsa watermelon and I love watermelons. Makes me happy thinking about watermelon. A happy chewing gum. And it is supposed to exercise your jaws and clean you teeth etc etc. I have to have this after a meal. And it is pink! :D

wong ah WAH

I've been pretty busy still but I felt a responsibilty to blog about this good food discovery.

Preface:

I've been taking my health seriously! I actually have been jogging and playing badminton! And hopefully will continue to do so regularly. Cool stuff. No pictures at the moment because I guess working out seems to be like such a cherished activity that even I didn't think of taking photos. My work out buddies a.k.a. colleagues and I have to work our jogging time around work time.


Let me paint you a picture with random snippets (no names shall be mentioned!):

"5.28pm. I'll be back in a while! Don't go without me!" *and then come back at 6.00pm

"It is 5.25pm, OMG OMG OMG, we promised 5.30pm. No, 2 more minutes, let me send this last 2 e-mails. 5.29pm. Argh!! gimme 5 more minutes!! 5.35pm. Argh!! one more e-mail! Let me save my documents! Argh!! 6.00pm."

"Better not dampen our spirits! Let's go!!"

"Argh! Where's my other sock!! You! Go photocopy this! Argh! My hairband!! "


So, that's, like, our warm up session lor.


It is good to give our heart some pre-amp pumping before the real heart pumping.


So last Monday, after a really good sweat-fest, we played host to one of our colleagues from Manila. We brought him to this restaurant/stall on Jalan Alor. Blink an eye and you will miss it but it is unmistakably in front of Royale Bintang. That's the best I can describe it. :)


All the precious minutes spent on the running tracks were duly cancelled by each juicy, savoury chicken wing which was a favourite with everyone. Superb.

Well, clearly the chicken wings were their Star Product

The noodles dishes were very good. Both Hokkien mee and roasted pork mee were very yummee. No stinging on ingredients here.

The lala was yummy too. Vege was cooked just right and fresh. Satay was pretty juicy. And if you notice, at time of snapping, some chicken wings were already MIA. The grilled stringray (not in pic) was done to perfection too and OH, did I love their sambal. *happy contented high pitched sigh*



Btw, I'm currently going for Adobe Flash training. Wheee! Now, I'll have to find out how to publish my little homeworks here. :D

Curry-Okie

Some call it "curry okie", some "kara okay", some "karao kee" but my office calls it Red Box (that's where we usually go for some karaoke action). Like, "Is Red Box on tonight??" or "When wanna Red Box?"

Last Wednesday, my colleagues and I decided to tear ourselves away from work (which was difficult) and just go and sing our hearts out! With our three funky and straight interns in tow plus two Thai task force and one french trainee, it was confusing but fun!

Everyone (almost)!

Shiowling and me...


EnHui: Me too, me too!
Presee: Hey, what about me?!

My three hyper and straight interns!
They were belting out Air Supply and stuff. Ayo.

A conversation with a friend about guys who prefer guys to girls and I got this question...

"Your interns again ah?"

Wah. Like all my trainees have been "not straight" all this while. Lol!

Anyways, the performer of the night goes to...

Enhui! Move over John!
(check out Jonjon in this post)

See how Nicholas and Enhui held on to their mikes.

On another matter...

Aih! So happy that Sushi ZanMai has found its way to One Utama! My fave affordable sushi place. I'm contented.

My senior in college works there and I suppose thats why the dessert look so cool... :D I have blogged about ZanMai before but need to dig abit to find the post. Here it is! Sushi and Me.

and then later that night, I went to SS2 Murni's on another quest to try different types of food on every trip there. This time I tried the Meatball Spaghetti and the Dragon Pizza. Both were pretty yummy. :D Ayo, I think I need to start jogging again!

sometimes

Sometimes... these things happen.


In the midst of everyone going crazy with work in the office...

Yvonne: Let's listen to something trashy.
Peiching: OK.
Yvonne: *click,click, double click*

britney: Gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme more!


I like it when everyone plays along. :D

safety first

One ordinary afternoon at work, one colleague, let's call him Bob, decided to take the lift to the 33rd floor. While waiting for the lift, he decided to hold the fire retardent door ajar because the lift landing area has just been repainted and he didn't like the smell. So he hoped that by leaving the door open, there will be some ventilation.


Then I walked in.


"Why are you holding the door?" I asked.
"The smell. It is smelly here," was Bob's reply.

"As an appointed member of the Safety Committee, I demand that you close that door now!" I squeaked.

"Erm, OK. I could do that," Bob replied trying not to laugh.



Sometimes I think I take my job too seriously.


But most of the time, I think I don't take my job seriously enough.


"teeheehee! Fierce not? But seriously, we should always keep the doors closed. Otherwise, we will defeat the purpose of its existence," I explained further.



REWIND to a few months back.

One ordinary afternoon at work (can't remember what I was doing), my boss walked into the office hurriedly and while doing many other things, he called me into his office.

"Yvonne ah!" he called as usual.
"Yah!" I replied as usual. "What's up?" I asked as I would sometimes.
"You are now appointed as a representative of our department in the Safety Committee!" he said while replying to numerous e-mails (I suppose).
"Erm... cool! What do I do??"
"Well, you will be involved in the Committee on our behalf and attend meetings and assist in ensuring the safety of everyone," he replied.
"Cool. I'll do just that."


Later in that ordinary afternoon, I decided to add some excitement into my life by being excited about this ordinary post...

"Presee, I'm a member of the Safety Committee! I represent HR."
"Good. Our safety shall be in your hands now. Now, where is that document..."



The excitement died after a few weeks but I still try my best to ensure the safety of my colleagues...


"Who left that trolley in the corridor?! It's a safety hazard OK!"


FAST FORWARD to a few months later

One ordinary afternoon, I was printing the organization chart of the Safety Committee and Ms. Ruth, the English Language trainer, happened to be around.

"Ms. Ruth, did you know I am a member of the Safety Committee?" I asked just trying to add spice to my otherwise ordinary day.
"Oh, really? That's great! I'm sure you are doing a good job," she replied encouragingly as she normally would.
"Really? You think so?" I asked, fishing for reassurance.
"Yes. I think you pay enough attention to details and I think you are right to be part of the committee," she replied.
"Hehe! Cool!"


She made my day, just like that. What an ordinary post. I was going to blog about the many ways to cut up a mango, complete with pictures and step-by-step explanations BUT I finished the mangoes before I could think of how many ways I actually know.


Btw, I know about 5 methods. Will get to it soon. :D

the gift of giving

We just had an internal two-day charity lunch in the hotel to help out one of our colleagues who is in need. It was good. Good food, good vibe, good deed, good fellowship... everything good.


For once, the cafeteria looked posh. (quite lah)..


tom yam...........

Huge prawns..........


Fruits and Thai dessert.....


Among others... but my favourite was the chocolate fountain.......

hmm.....

-chef! more!-

-ooh-


-Ons stuff-

Anyways, I feel so bad for taking so much chocolate out of the fountain because it IS for charity but.... but.... was supposed to be for fruit skewers but I actually scooped it onto my waffles...

I also happen to have 4 servings of waffles with ice cream. It is the ultimate treat but I think I sort of over did it a little bit. Everyone who saw me that day (and that would mean the whole 400 strong staff) have changed their perceptions of me...

Taiwen (trainee) : Von... finish la.. gone... your image... gone.


Presee: You know what was my favourite? The tom yam... so good.
Yvonne: You know what was my favourite? The chocolate fountain.
Shiow Ling: Can tell lor.
Presee: Ya.

Lastly, we never let up a chance to cam-whore. All of us.

-OK, act cute!-