Smurf

A good Sunday afternoon matinee. 

I've to thank my friend for insisting that I went out for the movie this afternoon. It certainly helped to release all the anger and frustration that has been building up. One hundred odd minutes of childhood memory rekindled and non stop laughter. What more to say - smurfs rock!

Oh! And, Neil Patrick Harris has aged while Hank Azaria carried his role very nicely. My personal opinion only. 

The second best movie I've watched all year long after Burlesque. Christina Aguilera and Cher were certainly the perfect cast for that movie, but that's a whole different story all together. 

I saw the trailer for Alvin and The Chipmunks - looking forward for it too. 

2nd Week In A Row

Right, this is the second Saturday in a row that I went to the same place an evening jog and I bumped into the same person. Now, if this person is a complete stranger I'm fine, but he's not.

It's just so difficult for me to see my friend again as I'm meeting her father week after week at the same place with someone he isn't supposed to be with. What is the right thing to do - pretend nothing happened or should I tell my friend? Dilemma.

I'm already carrying a lot of undisclosed information myself, do I have the energy to carry another one? Maybe I should just find a new venue. So much for residing in a tiny island. :(

Confused

I'm just so confused with everything that is happening.
I"m happy yet I'm sad.
I don't even know what and how to anything anymore.
I think it's time I take a break from everyone and everything.
I need to stay focused on my masters now.
I need to be disconnected from the world, but I can't afford to it.
I need to sort the mess in my head, the emotions playing around my mind.
For once, I hate being a Libra :(

IX I I

A decade has since past, but the wounds of the cowardly actions still remain fresh amongst the many who lost their love ones. The landscape has since changed and will never be the same again, with people having distrust and everyone starting to live in paranoia. The Americans have a different view towards the Asians, especially the Muslims. This has a direct impact on many other things including travelling to the states or most other countries especially if you hold a passport originating from a Muslim country. How would things be today if this incident didn't occur is something open to only be speculated. Unfortunately, what has been done cannot be reversed and we have to live with it.

In any event, RIP to those who lost their lives and all the heroes will never be forgotten for the sacrifice they did. Amen.

                      

Call Center Customer Service

Call centers are pretty much a norm these days. It is almost impossible to avoid calling into any of these centers whether it's for banking, booking an air ticket, renewal of your insurance - pretty much anything and everything. And how often than not these center operators never fail to make your blood boil with the poor grasp of the language or by simply just not being able to understand that you do not have all the time in the world to spend with them.

I did start my career from a call center too, and I know how it could get at times. There is always two sides to a coin. It is never an easy situation to keep the customer happy and the same time maintain your cool. The customer on one hand has to punch in so many buttons before finally being able to talk to a human being. And for the agent, talking to a few hundred people a day, just puts a toll too.

Having said this, I always try to be nice whenever I've to call in to a call center but most often than not, I will somehow loose my cool and end up getting frustrated. It has been a few occasions where I've demanded to speak to managers in charge and gave them a piece of my mind for the lack in adequacy in delivering customer service. There was one classic case when I called to Astro and after days, I repeat, days, of repeated calling for them to fix my problem, I finally lost it. I called them, requested to speak to the manager from the agent who then put me on hold for like twenty minutes or so only to disconnect my call. this happened a few times until one agent had the nerve to tell me that they had no manager on duty that day. Like who the fuck are you kidding! After some unpleasant conversation, a manager finally appeared from the office and could resolve the issue of which my compensation has yet to be received until today, which is about one year later.

Then you have HSBC, the worlds local bank. The have the dumbest people employed in their call center. Firstly, it takes you forever before some idiot answers your call. And then, the English the speak is nothing but appalling. And they could never end with their verification questions which would be trying to jog your memory for all the transactions that you have done like they are the only people you deal with. How stupid! I'm so glad that I've terminated my credit card with them and no longer deal with them. It was one fucked-up bank to deal with. But then again, which bank is pleasant to deal with. They have your money but behave like we're having their money.

And yesterday, I had to call RHB. I've to say, so far they have yet to disappoint me. My calls are normally answered within the first ring and the agents are pretty helpful though I once got one who didn't know what she was talking. But I reckon she was still new, given from the tone of her voice. The confidence wasn't there yet. Back to my call yesterday, I've to say that it was one of my most pleasant calls ever. The agent was simply the best I've ever dealt with. She exactly knew what I wanted, got it done for me really fast. Did not ask me stupid questions or even tried to test my memory power all that much. And the thing I liked most is, after completing my transactions, she gave me a reference number for each transaction done, gave me a time line for each transaction to be reflected without even me asking. Now, this is what I call customer service. If I had a vacancy for a customer service agent at the moment, there is no doubt that I would have made her an offer on the spot. And to RHB, this agent is a star; value her service and please reward her accordingly.

Speechless....

I was on leave yesterday as I had to go for my orientation, medical check-up and registration. I knew that some clients would be finding for me, so I thought it was okay to just have my mobile switched on as I do need these deals in soon. And, there were some pending emails from Wednesday which I needed to get replies from whomever concerned as well.

What I didn't realize it, that there are some stupid people, whom despite knowing for a fact that I'm on leave and even after telling them nicely that I'm not working for the day, still expected me to work as usual. Like what the fuck is your problem dude! If I don't answer your call means I'm either not free to answer it or am actually not bothered to talk to you. I have a voice mail, leave a message. If you're going to call me thirty times in thirty seconds, I will still not answer your call as I'm not free to do so.

Why so stupid? Don't know how to leave a message in the voice mail?? Need to send you for training on the functions of a voice mail and how to use it to leave messages???

Also, if I ask you to help me support means I need your help since I can't do it or am not convenient to do it right away. It doesn't mean that if I use a BlackBerry, I should be working around the clock. I'm on leave, you're not. What is your reason to not be able to help? Busy trying to increase the population of the country in nine months?? Or just plain lazy???

Wankers!

Registered - At Last!

It's official - I'm a student once more...woohoo.

Finally, I managed to get myself registered after such a stupid and long process of wasting time. I can't believe the system the university has adopted. It's nothing but a pure waste of time as the entire process is almost redundant.

Not only was the registration process a waste of time, the medical check up too was a joke. After completing all the test which was never really performed except for the urine test, I was given a number to see a doctor.

This doctor which I was supposed to see was never in her room in the first place! Like how can something so stupid be done! Frustrated, I then went back to the counter and requested to be changed for another doctor who was actually around in her room. While waiting, I noticed that this doctor was performing the medical test really fast. So, I was glad that I was given a number to queue to meet her. When I got in and finally met this doctor, I then realized why the check ups were so fast.
The three minutes I spent in her room for the checkup went something like this:

Me: Good afternoon, doctor (trying to be nice hoping that she would not make it difficult for me)
Dr: Afternoon...
Me: Here are my results and this is the form you would need to complete (hands over the for to the dr)
Dr: Thank you...
Me: Everything good? ( couldn't think of anything else to say,honest)
Dr: So far, yes. Do you have any skin diseases? swelling or patches on your skin?
Me: No
Dr: Okay, you're test is done. Everything is good. Enjoy your time studying...
Me: Thank you. ( in my mind - what the fuck?! medical test can like wan ah???)

Seriously, if you have  people with such attitude, why even bother having a medical check in the first place right? Waste time only.
Oh wait, the unemployed ones need to be given a job somewhere and be paid for. Else there would be a too high unemployment rate and the government wouldn't look good for not being able to create enough job demand to support its states citizens. Damn, this is how my tax money is being wasted. But hor, it's better than letting some politician squander all the money lah, so I'm not complaining much. At least she did one thing right - cleared the backlog fast enough.

Buck up people! Not everyone has all the time in the world to waste. Efficiency please. Not much to ask right?!

Mid-Week Outing

It's Wednesday and it's time to celebrate the middle of the week- haha!. No, this usually doesn't happen under normal circumstances.

I'm on leave tomorrow as I need to register for my masters program thus making today a not so bad idea to be out. Besides, I haven't met some friends for quite some time and one of them just celebrated her birthday on Sunday. It's the best timing to celebrate the occasion and catch up.

And yea, another friend promised me and evening to enjoy the ladies night. I can't complain much, I get to see pretty girls and cute guys appearing to court the single ladies there.

Now, anyone want to buy me a drink? Cheers!

Books Galore

Okay - a confession to make, this title is really misleading. It wasn't anything even close to a galore. Logos did disappointment me. I could not find most of the titles that I was looking for. In fact I could not find anything that got my interest except for a sponge bob sticker..haha!

I almost got it but, got a shock when I saw the price. RM 8 for a set of china made stickers that wouldn't even last on my fridge until the next time my god kids come over to my place.

Disappointed, I was walking up and down the entire display are trying to find something to get, but there was nothing avail. After about an hour of searching, I gave up and decided to just walk out. I walked passed the cashier and everyone was giving me the look like 'what the heck is this fler who has no interest in books doing in a book fair'. Okay, I'm pretty sensitive to how people project me though I don't give a damn to what they have to say. I mean, I hate people looking at me like a weirdo. In my defense, most of the books there were about Christianity of which I don't read as I always claim to be agnostic as I do NOT like to be branded. The other major market was focused around kids stuff. It was indeed a good strategy to focus on kids as they can generate quite a healthy amount of revenue nowadays from over pampering parents.

Anyways, after the disappointing main arena and passing through the cashier the all the snares, I came to the bargain area. This got my eyes widely open and smiling from end to end. Yea, I'm somewhat a bargain hunter but really a cheapskate all together. They were selling McGraw Hill books for like 3 books for RM 40.00. Now, how could anyone miss that right? I was so excited that I snapped up my three titles in less than five minutes.

So, what did I get? I got myself three books, each  one on Economics, Advance Business Statistics and Operations Management. YES! I'm sure these books will come in handy for my MBa. 

If only I'd known earlier, I would have just walked out upon entering and let the ship in five minutes. 

I'm a happy boy nevertheless. 

Sunset

I don't really know why but since some random surfing yesterday afternoon, I've been having a recollection of one of my best sunset ever memories. This was while I was on board a Malaysian Airlines late evening flight from Kuala Lumpur to Penang en route from London on 22nd June 2004. It was once of the nicest sunsets I've ever seen, the view from the tiny window of the Boeing 737-300 was just breath taking.

I was never a person who admired sun sets and was always too lazy to wake up early enough to catch the sun rise, only except on a few days during uni when I used to study all night long. But that's a different story all together.

I do not know why, but on this evening, I just risen the shades from my seat and looked out. The spectrum of colours was better than what any artist could put onto a canvas from his palette. I just looked in awe. It was probably one of those moments when you just take a step back and admire the works of mother nature.

Funny, I never bothered to admire another sunset since, or even thought about it except since yesterday afternoon. Maybe this a tell sign for me to take a breather and admire the beautiful things around me. Appreciate the simplicity of life and not to run on the rat race that much. I can vividly picture the beauty of the sunset as I write this entry. I am going to make it a point to leave work on the dot tomorrow and take a drive on the bridge during sunset and try to capture another day ending. There might be a tunnel at the end of the journey, especially since I'm still thinking of him and I can't seem to block it out.

The mechanics of certain things just don't make sense in my tiny little head...

Logos is in Town!

A friend just reminded me that the world's largest floating book fair is in town. I can't believe that I almost forgot about it and am so glad that I was reminded about it.
All that is needed now is to make a date with myself and go pay it a visit. I'm so glad and excited. i hope to find some good materials to make them time and have a good read. I'm a happy boy!
I just remembered when I was still a little kid and was brought to a similar event by my late grandfather. It was the first time in my life I'd seen such a big ship, and it was filled with books too. It was such a happy place to be in. I still vividly remember not wanting to leave the place. And yes, I did put up a tantrum there which then got me bribed for better things. Haha!
I need to make myself time and go there sometime this week.

Never Stop Being A Man

The one thing I hate is people who like to beat around the bush and do not get to the point. I always believed in just being honest and telling whomever whatever it is.

I recently met a guy and online, and we had some chat sessions over IM. It was generally very nice conversations and there was some kind of connections as we could always just have a simple yet decent chats. Over time, the bond grew closer, as friends I mean, and somehow along the way mobile number were exchanged. We were than keeping in touch through text messages and on the occasional beat over IM.

As I was going to be around the area he lived last week, I did ask him if he wanted to meet over coffee and be able to put a face to the person whom I've been chatting with. And it was not liked we didn't know each other as there was a video call once before too. So, I felt like I could trust him and was okay for a mutual meet up. The maturity he portrayed throughout our conversations were off someone with a high intellectual capacity and with the ability to think wisely. And, we did discuss the option of meeting up too prior and both did agree that it would be nice.

The appointment was made, and I send him a text message the day before just to confirm. My text wasn't replied and I still had trust and faith in this guy and decided to give him the benefit of doubt. I did look forward to meeting him as I, in good faith, had thought that this would be the beginning of a long lasting friendship.

All of Monday morning I was waiting for him to contact me, but nothing came by. Lucky for me, work was chasing and since I had nothing better to do, it got me occupied. Finally, when I settled all the days calling, I decided to text him asking him what happened.

What really irked me off was the excuse he gave me which was so lame asking me who I am and reasoning the question by saying that he had lost my contact and did not have it in the replacement mobile. Fine that, But seriously dude, what were you thinking? We did have a mutual understanding of meeting on Monday morning which he suggested the time and when I asked, he could still afford to ask me who I am. That was so lame, and it didn't make much sense, any in fact, at all. Come one, I wasn't born yesterday.

After expressing my disappointment, he said he was sorry and that he had developed cold feet. I can understand that, even I myself get nervous at the prospect of meeting someone for the first time, but hey, there has to be some starting point right? And what irritated me most was that he said he did not know how to tell it to me and felt relieved that he lost my number. I appreciate the honesty about feeling relief when he lost number, but what saddens me is why didn't he just tell me initially that he wasn't prepared to meet. Just be truthful - is that too much to ask for?

Once this was cleared, he did ask me how were we going to go about after this incident and I simply told him that it was up to him. He then replied me saying that he'd love to keep in touch via IM and text messages which I acknowledged and did again express my interest once more to meet. The reason I wanted to meet him was because I'm the type of person who can't be friends with someone without seeing the person as I take my friends dearly. Not only was my text message never replied, but I have yet to hear from him until now.

I just hope that I do not loose him as a friend. Though we've never met, I regard him highly as he genuinely seemed like a very nice guy. If there was to be any kind of relationship between the two of us, I would have only treated him as a younger brother and nothing more. That's the amount of respect I have for him. I wish him luck and all the best in his future undertakings. And, please, just be honest; it's the best thing you can do to not hurt anyone. That's what makes you a man too, being able to be honest and not lying or avoiding. having a penis and a pair of testicles does not make you a man; never did, never will.

If you happen to read this, you are still regarded as my friend and as I mentioned, I was only disappointed but never was or am angry with you. Take care buddy!

So Soon...

The much awaited holidays just ended. I had to go back to work today after a six days break and I can't believe how soon it ended.
The week leading to the break was just so crazy, there was just so much to do with so little time. And before I knew it, it was already Friday night and I was still working. In addition, I was being chased by work on Monday itself, making me feel like it was just another working day despite being on leave.
Today is Friday once more, and I went back to work. I do not see any long holidays anymore in the near future, and quite honestly, I'm feeling some jitters about juggling work and my studies in a fortnight. Let me strong and have the ability to cope it all.
Now, time for my Friday drink. Cheers!