2011

wow, I just noticed that I only have 1 POST !!! for 2011. Suddenly lost the urge to write. Been busy in the early 2010 and stop being active in blogging since then.

2011 was ok. Changed to a new job. Yes again, I have only been in my previous company for about 1 year ++ after leaving IBM and I changed job again. Well this time around, my ex-boss came knocking on my door and seeing that the interesting job scope and opportunity ahead, I decided to take up the challenge. I believed the experiences that I could learn from this new job will enrich my resume and will be precious in my future undertaking.

It is sad to leave Openet, made some good friends there, learn quite a bit in Openet. Openet is the only places that I felt as close as to Motorola. I had my best years in Motorola. I grew a lot in Motorola days.

In this new job, was thrown to a difficult project. Working late nights in my 2nd week till my wife and daughters complain that I haven't be going back for dinner for quite some time. Oh well, there is a guilt in me but still job is job. Need to help out where I can.

Things had slow down quite a lot since the delivery on Aug 1o. Now begin to breathe properly instead of rushing towards the submission. Product training will be given soon. Ting !!! ya product training is after my project submission. Learn quite a lot of stuff in the 2 weeks WAR !!. Hopefully when I go for the product training, I will understand and appreciate more.

Eee yer

Lately Qian Ning (the elder) had been helping to put the blanket on Qian Hui as Qian Hui never sleep properly. QH will just keep rolling in trying to fall asleep and as the consequence, she is not covered by the blanket. Being a fussy fella, she will complain.

Qian Ning being the elder sister trying to perform her duty as a big sister. Yes indeed, my sweetie has certainly grown up a lot.

One time, yes no problem.

Second time, also no problem. QN will just keep doing it since I think she like the feeling of having responsibility.

Coming to third time,

QN: "Eee yer, like that jie jie (elder sister) no need to sleep lar"

Sook Fan and myself find it very amusing.

Quote of the day

Mandarin:

Tien xia you liang nan, deng tian nan, chiu ren gen nan

Tien xia you liang gu, wang nian gu, ping jiong gen gu

Tien xia you liang xian, jiang wu xian, ren xing gen xian

Tien xia you liang pao, ji zhang pao, ren qing gen pao

Cantonese:

Tin ha yao leung nan, tang tin nan, kao yan kan nan

Tin ha yao leung fu, wong nin fu, pang kung kan fu

Tin ha yao leung him, wah san him, yan sam kan him

Tin ha yao bok, ji cheung bok, yan ching kan bok

Translated to english:

There are two difficults tasks, grabbing the sky is hard, but asking for helps is even harder

There are two types of bitterness, bittergourd is bitter, poverty is even bitter

There are two types of danger, society is dangerous, but human's evil thoughts are even more dangerous

There are two types of thinness, paper is thin, but humanity is even thinner.

Quote of the day

In cantonese:

yao chi che, jin tin tao dei

mo chi che, yuen tin han dei

translated to:

a smart person with high perseverance will defied the destiny and fight for victory

whereas a loser will only complaint and cursing

Gundam vs Transformer

A: Hey do you know what is this?

B: Yeah, of course I know, Transformer mah !!!

A: (eye big big, ROTLLMAO). Ouch. shee shee .. don't be so loud, it is Gundam and not transformer.

B: (take knife, sledgehammer, C4, wing chun, karate, taekwondo, jeet kun do A)

As a result A die miserably for laughing at B.

MMU Gathering Poll

MMU friends, I'm hoping to gauge how many of you are actually interested. If the response is good, I will try to organize one.

Well,
1. spouse, gf, bf, kids are all welcome.
2. will be either saturday / sunday
3. halal (most likely will be in hotel buffet)
4. budget I hope to make it around 70 -80 per person. I guess that is the price for buffet at hotel nowadays.
5. any special request, feel free to let me know.

Job Stress

I recently read this article from one of the forum that I went to and I have requested permission from the forum owner to reproduce this in my blog. Food for thought.

Some research suggests job stress can be particularly heartfelt. In fact, unfair bosses, low-level jobs, anger on the job, shift work and overtime can all contribute to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

Workplace stressors
Job stress is defined as the harmful physical and emotional responses that occur when the requirements of a job don’t match the capabilities, resources or needs of the worker. Work stress makes people vulnerable to heart disease and stroke and also puts them at risk for psychological disorders, workplace injury and other health problems.


Unfair bosses
A study in early 2003 found unfair bosses are a potent workplace stressor, which could have a negative effect on employees’ heart health – specifically by raising their blood pressure. The study examined female healthcare assistants and the effects of working under two different bosses – one perceived as fair, the other as unfair. Employees experienced significantly higher blood pressure when working with the "unfair" boss. Though small, (29 subjects) this study raises a red flag in terms of identifying and managing workplace stressors.

Low man on the totem pole
In one of the most significant studies linking job stress to heart disease and stroke, researchers followed a large group of civil servants over a period of 10 years. They found that those who worked at the bottom of the organizational hierarchy were much more likely to develop heart disease. In fact, men in jobs such as messengers, and the like, were three times more likely to die of heart disease than those who were administrators, for example.

"If you have too much demand and too little control it constitutes job strain, which makes you more likely to experience increased blood pressure and negative effects on your heart health,” says Heart and Stroke Foundation spokesperson, Dr. Brian Baker. However, he adds, to have a negative impact on health, the strain/stress needs to be sustained over an extended period of time – months, sometimes years.


Shift work
Shift workers are also at a higher risk than non-shift workers of developing heart disease, high blood pressure and gastrointestinal disorders. Approximately 30% of employed Canadians work shifts or non-standard hours and that can take a significant physical and emotional toll on a large segment of our population. Why are they at greater risk? Shift work disrupts the body’s natural, internal clock, which upsets normal sleeping and eating patterns. As a result, shift workers tend to report high levels of job stress, as well as higher than average rates of smoking, alcohol consumption and poor eating habits – all of which take a heavy toll on health over time.


Lack of appreciation
A large study of 812 healthy men and women working in the metal industry found that employees who had high job strain or felt their work was unappreciated were twice as likely to die of a heart attack or stroke. Interestingly, such workers were also more likely to become overweight and develop high cholesterol – factors that increase your risk of developing heart disease or stroke.


Unhealthy behaviour
Over time, says Dr. Baker, anger on the job can also contribute to heart disease and stroke. Anger sets off a series of physiological changes including increased heart rate and elevated blood pressure levels that can increase your chance of having a heart attack. And, people who are prone to anger are also more likely to turn to unhealthy behaviours like smoking, excessive drinking and overeating.


Early warning signs
Clearly, job stress takes many forms, so it’s important to recognize what kind of stress is "bad", learn how to minimize or eliminate any damaging health effects. Some early warning signs can include headaches, sleep disturbance, difficulty concentrating, job dissatisfaction and low morale.

Dr. Baker says telltale signs that stress has reached a critical level include:
Thinking/worrying about work all the time and being unable to relax Spending an undue amount of time on the work itself or on other interpersonal aspects of the work like your boss or coworkers Extreme exhaustion. If it takes a long time to recover when you come home, this is a sign of burnout Low tolerance. You’re short-tempered and can handle less than you used to be able to.

Take control
Sometimes, it’s not just the job stress that’s important; it’s how we deal with it in the short- and long-term. Since job strain consists of too much demand and too little control, try to reclaim some control, says Dr. Baker, by trying some of the following:

• Vary your work if possible
• Try to not be under unnecessary demands all the time
• Learn to communicate better. Often problems are easier to resolve if you can figure out what a co-worker or a boss wants from you
• Talk to your employer. Most work places will accept that if an employee isn’t feeling well they should take time off
• Deep breathing or relaxation techniques
• Cut down on the amount of coffee and tea you drink
• Eat well. Don’t skip lunch, and leave the office to eat if you can

Good Food in Malacca, Melaka

If you are looking for good food in Malacca (Melaka), below are the list of recommended places:

Capitol Satay Celup
GPS: N2.19548, E102.25252
Address: Capitol Satay Celup, 41, Lorong Bukit Cina, Melaka
Open at 5pm till last customer leaves
Comments: I've been to Capitol, Ban Lee Siang and McQuek Satay Celup. My vote goes to Capitol Satay Celup simply because the sauce taste more ummph. And after sitting down for while, you will get the jumbo prawn. Remember to peel off the shells before cooking it else it will take ages to cook.

Capitol is more expensive - 80 cents per stick but more varieties

Ban Lee Siang Satay Celup
GPS: N02 12.306 E102, 14.729 - this coordinate a bit misleading, but it will lead you to the Jalan Ong Kim Wee and the shop is on your left and not on your right as per the GPS coordinate. Weird. I got the coordinate from one of the blog. Forgot to record down the coordinate myself.

Cheaper, 50 - 60 cents per stick, less choices.

Jonker Street Durian Cendol
Jonker Dessert 88
88, Jalan Hang Jebat,
75200 Melaka
GPS: N02 11.806, E102 14.795
Comments: This is must. Everytime I go there, should have double shots.

Chung Wah Chicken Rice Ball
Location: Just across the bridge in front of the Dutch Square (Stadhuys, Christ Church), opposite OCBC Bank. It is at the start of Jonker Street (Jalan Hang Jebat).
GPS coordinates: N2 11.696, E102 14.909

Famosa Chicken Rice Ball
http://www.chickenriceball.com/Frameset.html
No. 28-30, Jalan Hang Kasturi,
Off Jonker Street, 75200 Melaka.
Tel: +606-2860121
Fax: +606-2824595
GPS: N02 11.815, E102 14.921

Hoe Kee Chicken Rice Shop
- 4 Jalan Hang Jebat (Jonker St)
GPS: N02 11.717, E102 14.886

Comments: Well, Chung Wah, Hoe Kee and Famosa all have their speciality.

Chicken Rice Ball: All three are about the same.
Chung Wah: Chicken taste better, but only steam chicken. Their asam fish is good too. And favourite drink is ice lime juice.
Hoe Kee: Famous for their lotus peanus soup
Famosa: Got yam ball rice, got roast chicken too.

Ginger Tau Fu Fa
Lorong Bukit Cina, Melaka - opposite Capitol Satay Celup
Comments: Something different from KL. Instead of sugar syrup that we normally had in our tau fu fa. In Malacca, they give ginger soup. Is taste different. You shall try this.

Fried Oyster at Jalan Bunga Raya
Comments: Be prepared to wait.

Popiah at Jalan Bunga Raya (outside Madam King)
Comments: Sinful, cause they put lard into the popiah. Chu Yao Cha. RM 3.50 per roll. Well a bit expensive I would said, but no harm to try. Be prepared to wait and take little number token to wait.

Duck Mee at Bukit Cina on the way to semambok, near tan kim hock
Comments: My favourite breakfast.

Bird Nest at Ah Keong (in Jonker Street & Dataran Pahlawan shopping mall)
Comments: Got bird nest porridge.

Hot Pepper Beef at Bukit Baru
Comments: If you like hot food, this is the one.

Exotic cockles at one of the lane in Jalan Bunga Raya near Madam King Store. I dare you to try this.
Comments: Nice

Hing Loong Taiwanese Noodle
No 11-J Jalan Bachang
7.30an to 6pm

Pork Satay
Kedai Satey Xiang Ji
50, Jln Portugis
Melaka
GPS: N02 12.012, E102.14.803
Tel: 019- 667 8868

Comments: I tried this one last week. Gosh .. taste horribly bad. I don't understand why a lot of food blogger boast about this place. Sucks, my wife hate it, my mom hate it, my dad hate it and even my daughter the satay maniac also hate it. Why can't food blogger be real and honest. Basket. I rather go kajang eat satay. Even puchong Everday Food Court mutton satay is better than Xiang Ji. Please please don't go.

Hainanese Pork Satay
Sun May Hiong Satay House
135 Jalan Hang Jebat (Jonker St)

Restoran Aunty Lee (Nyonya)
No.385, Jalan Ujong Pasir, 75050 melaka
tel : 06-283 1009
Speciality: Ikan garam cili

Bibik Neo Nyonya Restaurant
6 Ground Floor Jalan Merdeka, Taman Melaka Raya

Restoran Nyonya Suan
Location: Near dataran pahlawan, before Newton food court.
GPS: N02 11.396, E102 14.845
Comments:
- Bendi sambal and Ayam goreng cili is a must must try.
- Ham Choi Thong is good too.
- Asam fish was so so only.

Restoran Seafarer
1516, Batang Tiga, Tg. Kling, 76400 Melaka
tel : 06-315 2693 or cassie koh : 012-638 9226
Speciality: Seafood

Medan Ikan Bakar, Pernu Umbai
GPS: N02 09.412, E102 20.167

Medan Ikan Bakar, Sungai Duyong.

Comments: God it taste horrible, don't go

Portugese Settlement

GPS: N02 10.976, E102 16.011

Comments: Go to Stall No 1 .. Yes No 1. Super recommended.

1 - Sotong fritters - damn good

2 - sambal prawn - good

3 - sweet & sour jenak - nice

4 - grilled eggplant - nice

Baba Charlie Nyonya Kuih
72 Jalan Tengkera Pantai 2, Melaka Tengah
Tel: 06 - 284 7209
GPS: N02 12.195, E102 13.897
Comments: Well, after hearing such a good review from Ho Chak, Yes Ho chak again, I told myself I must give it a try. Perhaps I went with high expectations. The taste of the nyonya kuih was average only. Nothing huha about it. For instance, the kuih koci that I had from Baba Charlie Nyonya Kuih, was average. I can get better one from Puchong stalls.

The otak-otak that I bought, was good taste but you will find fish cake in it. Ya fish cake. First time I eat otak-otak that have fish cake in it.

The Ang koo that I bought also taste average.

It was not that good actually.

I bought RM35++ for Nyonya kuih alone. Imagine how much I bought cause I wanna try all of it. But to my disappointment, the kuih was not as "huha" as most people talk about.

Mahkota Hotel Melaka (aka Century Mahkota Hotel) sucks !!!!

Good day folks

If you are going to Malacca for vacation and if you are looking for a hotel in Malacca (Melaka). Never never never ever go to Mahkota Hotel Melaka which used to be called Century Mahkota Hotel. The website of the hotel is http://www.mahkotahotel.com.my. Why, let me tell you why:

1. I reached the hotel around 3pm. When I reached the lobby, no bellman in sight. No one come to me to help me to unload my luggages even after 10 minutes waiting. So I have resorted to push the trolley myself and unload my luggages for 4 adults and 2 babies. God can you imagine how many things I had in my trunk? Then I have to push the trolley from the parking all the way to the lobby. Crap Mahkota Hotel Melaka.

2. I checked in to the hotel at 3.10pm. Got my keys around 3.20pm. HORROR, disgusting, surprise. The room was not cleaned up. It was so dirty and smelly. The bellman told me that he will inform the housekeeping to tidy the room. 5.10pm still no housekeeping people coming to clean my room. Goodness what a shit hotel.

Years ago, I stayed in this hotel before and it was not like this. The service was awesome, the restaurant was awesome and the staff was awesome. Back then, it was still Century Mahkota Hotel.

It's 5.10pm, I'm getting ready for dinner. So I wanna give Mahkota Hotel Melaka a chance. I do really hope that by the time I come back from dinner at Capitol Satay Celup and my night walk at Jonker St, the room would have been tidy up.

3. I called for towels from housekeeping, it took them 1 hour+ to send me bloody 3 towels. We have 4 guests but only 1 towel given. And 4 guests but only 2 complimentary bottle water. Where is the logic?

4. I returned to Mahkota Hotel Melaka around 9.00pm. Huh, they have tidy up the room. The bedsheets was changed and that was it. Ya that was it. The kitchen area is not cleaned, full or leftover gravy marks. Glass not cleaned.

Floor not mopped.

Carpets not vacuum.

Bloody hell, stupid hotel. Stupid Mahkota Hotel Melaka.

I have to clean up the room again before going to bed.

5. The disaster did not end yet. The toilet is FLOODED. What the xxxx, I didn't expect this. For such a pricy hotel and yet the service was so bad.

6. The next day, my in-laws air-conditioning start giving out loud son that make it unbearable to sleep. Bloody hell, stupid hotel. Stupid Mahkota Hotel Melaka.

Jezz, I normally stayed in Hotel Equatorial whenever I go to Melaka. I vow that I never go back to Mahkota Hotel Melaka again. Never.

And I strongly urge everyone not to go to this hotel unless you wanted to get yourself frustrated and an unpleasant vacation.

Apparently, I'm not the first one, we found a link that talk about similar problems like us.

Other complaints:
http://www.tripadvisor.in/ShowUserReviews-g306997-d299591-r68182664-Mahkota_Hotel_Melaka-Melaka_Melaka_State.html#CHECK_RATES_CONT

Malacca good food, here I come

Ya I'm going to Malacca again. It is food hunting again. I'm looking for Malacca good food.

Any suggestion on food that must try?

Been browsing Motormouth page at http://www.j2kfm.com/ for info.

FYI, I studied for 1 year in Malacca in MMU. My normal pick would be

Capitol Satay Celup
Jonker Street Durian Cendol
Chung Wah Chicken Rice Ball
Ginger Tau Fu Fa at Jalan Bunga Raya (if I remember the road name correctly, very close to perigi hang li po)
Fried Oyster at Jalan Bunga Raya
Popiah at Jalan Bunga Raya
Duck Mee at Bukit Cina
Bird Nest at Ah Keong (in Jonker Street & Dataran Pahlawan shopping mall)
Hot Pepper Beef at Bukit Baru
Pork Satay at Melaka Raya
Exotic cockles at one of the lane in Jalan Bunga Raya. I dare you to try this.

Planning to go for
- umbai seafood
- sampan
- bert park
- klebang beach
- tengkera hee kiaw

So to all Malacca folks out there, please suggest.

Stupid Mahathir, Stupid Bung Mokhtar

Stupid Mahathir why?

His words in The Sun:
"Whether the gambling license is issued or not, gambling will still go on in the country because the Chinese generally like to gamble"

Oi, old man, why can't you retire gracefully. If he said that, he was stereotyping the rakyat. Simply meaning:

Chinese like to gamble
Indian like to drink todi
Malay like to lepak and drink milk tea

Argh come on old man, those are old saying or perhaps is a myth that was created in your era. In the era where you RULE. Nowadays, things have changed. We the new generation are suffering as a result of your unfair ruling and we the new generation are working our ass off to meet the end needs. We work hard as a result of cronyism that you have practiced.

It is so unwise for an old person like you to stereotype people. Gambling does not associate with race. I've seen Malay who go buy TOTO. Yes TOTO. Thanks to your best friend Vincent Tan sports Toto. The license that BN granted for Vincent Tan. As a result, Malay who by default are Muslim go buy nombor ekor from TOTO. You are the real culprit.

I rather buy lottery from unlicensed operator than buying from TOTO, MAGNUM because I don't want pay tax to BN aka UMNO.

Another stupid MP, Bung Mokhtar. Where is the conscience of people from Kinabatangan. How could you guys voted for a scumbag like him to be in parliament. Wake up.

We have enough gambling license in Malaysia, TOTO, MAGNUM, BIG SWEEP & GENTING. So we don't need a new one.

If this bloody Bung Mokhtar said, since we live in a multiracial society and we should take into consideration of the non-muslims. I am a non-muslim, and I do not want to see my fellow Malaysian gone into gambling debt and make Vincent Tan even richer. Or to be correct to make the UMNO crony richer.

Half a year past

Wow, it is half way through for 2010. Time flies like an arrow. How many of you have not started your plan to fulfill for 2010? You better start now, cause you have only have roughly 180 days left.

I've fulfill my wish for this year where I wanted to get a new job. And I did it. Well am I happy after changing job? I can answer "Yes".

At least I don't feel victimized.
At least I don't feel unappreciated.
At least I don't need to deal with people that I don't like.
At least I don't feel under paid (well i believe all of you think you are under paid).
At least I am more cheerful, no more grumpy.
At least I don't complain so much now.

New work means new challenge and I am up to it.

As for family, both princess are growing healthily. But poor Qian Hui fell and hurt her head. Got few bruises. Brought the sisters to Teluk Kemang beach for some getaway and I guess the sisters have enjoyed themselves. Looking forward for more family outings. Now having two kids make us feel that it is so troublesome to go to some where. Beside, Qian Hui have car sickness so it is better not to travel far.

Friends, hardly have any gathering with friends nowadays. I guess everyone are just busy with their own problems now.

Blue Sky blue

Blue sky blue, taken from beach at Teluk Kemang. My Princesses having good time at the beach.

The Sisters

I'm the World Best Dad

I'm recently awarded the "World's Best Dad" award. Below are the proof

With Qian Ning

Ning Ning is the new supporter of Man Utd. Chelski, beware, next season we will be back.

With Qian Hui

Sick Marketing Technique

I got some bad running nose, hence I went to this Gxxxxxxx pharmacy to get the Vicks VapoRub to ease my nasal congestion.

I do know that this type vaporising ointment do have its best before date. Ya no joke, they do have best before date. I just realized that I didn't checked on the one that I bought from this Gxxxxxxx pharmacy. I quickly turn it around to check on the date. Gosh, what a shame. They stick the bloody bar code sticker on top of the best before date. When I tried to remove the sticker, doom, the ink of the best before date was faded due to the sticker being pasted on it.

This is a really sick way of doing business. We as the consumer were denied to right to check on the product quality. They are lucky that this is Malaysia, the boleh-land. If we were in another FAIR country, this Gxxxxxxx pharmacy will be sued.