Matahari!

Because my blog statistics thingamabob says that I have about a hundred odd readers, I have decided to use my

supreme power of influence *evil cackle*

to perhaps persuade some of you to have a look at

The Sun e-paper

Despite being only a toddler - borne on the very merry day of Jan 26 this year; it was a sun-shiny Wednesday when the nation took their first peek at this beauty. (Didn't really remember what day it was, checked the calendar)

Anyhow, the e-paper looks impressively good compared to other local online rivals, who despite having a bigger budget/ name/ support, lack one important thing - good user accessibility.

That and the fact that The Sun used to be MY paper when I was back in Uni, as I was always low on dosh (massive dairy product consumption). The Sun was distributed FREE.

So, I read the Sun lah.

It is however a pity that their circulation is quite small, so it's not available in many parts of West Malaysia, and not at all in Sabah & Sarawak.

But with this blog, I hope to increase their readership AT LEAST today, and tomorrow. And maybe the weekends too.

Good things should be shared around.

So I share with you lah.

Oh, one bad thing about them though. They didn't come out with U! when I was still studying.

There goes my could've-been journalistic opportunity.

(As you might've noticed, I have shamelessly included links everywhere. Just go take a look lah yah, and tell me what you think.)

Fresh grads too picky.

Not true.

The companies and employers who say that, say that because a lot of fresh graduates they employ quit not too long into their job.

It might be the graduate's fault for not being able to handle real pressure.

Or they might just have been swindled, like I have been.

Two crucial things to look out for in your Contract/ Letter of Appointment.

1. Category of Employment and what it includes

When you're appointed as a say, Marketing Assistant, don't let them give you a 'vague' idea of what you are supposed to do. Make sure, if possible, that what your job entails is LISTED in the contract. Scour your contract for sentences that say shit like 'The employee shall adher to any task and duties given by the employer."

This way, if you were to go to the labour union or whatever, you wouldn't be said as "to have agreed to the employer's terms and conditions."

2. Overtime payment

And since my weasel of a boss just popped into the office, I can't elaborate this in my own words. Here's what I found on lawnet.com.my according to the Employment Act 1955.

Work On Rest Day/Overtime - What is an employee's entitlement?

No employee shall be compelled to work on a rest day unless the employee is engaged to work in shifts.

1. If the employee works on a rest day and is employed on a daily, hourly or other similar rate of pay he shall be paid for the period of work
(i) if the work does not exceed half his normal hours of work, he shall be paid one day's wages at the ordinary rate of pay.
(ii) if he works more than half but does not exceed his normal hours of work, 2 day wages at the ordinary rate of pay.

2. In the case of employee employed on a monthly rate of pay who works on a rest day, he shall be paid for work
(i) if it does not exceed half his normal hours of work, wages equivalent to half the ordinary rate of pay for work done on that day.
(ii) if it is more than half but does not exceed his normal hours of work, one day wages at the ordinary rate of pay for work done on that day.

3. For any work carried out in excess of normal hours of work, the employee shall be paid at a rate which is not less than 2 times his hourly rate of pay.

4. In the case of any employee employed on piece rates who work on a rest day, he shall be paid twice his ordinary rate per piece.

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They might be paying me to learn from them, and I might owe them some sort of gratitude. But I believe that I have paid my dues through the workload and hours that I have put in, and owe them nothing now.

I believe that the main reason why there are so many dissatisfied employees, is because they daren't say anything for fear that they'll lose their current job/ might not get a job in the future for their reputation as a 'difficult' employee.

Also, I want to voice it out to someone of authority but I'm plagued with the internal conflict that despite this weasling out of paying his employees the just amount, and giving them work that isn't their 'scope of work' - I did, and still do a little, think of my boss as a friend.

But friends don't do these things to friends. And he's probably just being nice so that we're blind to all his unscrupulous business methods.

Advice needed:

Should I...

1. Say something to him
2. Say nothing, but seek greener pastures
3. Just stick with the job, because it's probably like this everywhere
4. Find my greener pasture, then confront him
5. Something else

I didn't know what a kantong was.

Picture stolen from Kenie

Kenie and I, and my little brother Kevin (see blurred faced looking longingly at the bottom right corner of the pic) went strolling along Wayang Street where a one week celebration of the Mooncake Festival was held.

(For my own pictures, click here.)

That thing in my hand, that's a kantong. Apparently now, ALL little children in Kuching/ Malaysia had it some time ago in the dark old ages where everything was cheap and cost 5cents.

All little children except me.

So for all those who had a deprived childhood, this is how a kantong is made.

First, the woman (I am a feminist) will get a paper cup - such as the one I am holding in my hand.

Then the woman will shave ice and pack it into that paper cup while an ice-cream stick (that is longer than the usual ice-cream stick) is held firmly at the centre of the paper cup (no one measured the diameter so we're not quite sure if it's the exact centre).

After the 'thing' (it cannot yet be called a kantong because it is not complete) that looks similar to a popsicle is pulled out of the paper cup, syrup of all colours is poured onto it. But as black absorbes all colours, it just looks black.

And then the woman hands you the now finished kantong, and you lick it because it's too hard to bite into.

Taste description: Just sweet and nothing else.

Price: RM1.

Warning: Not to be eaten when wearing light-coloured/ favourite shirt.

The Curse of Event Management

Event Management -

Stress Inducing, Knee-pain Causing and Profanity Hurling

Why An Artist Should Never Be Involved

1. ArtsyFarts Don't Run. That much should be obvious. Artsyfarts sit around all day moping or gazing wistfully out the window as the leaves rustle caressed by the gentle breeze as a bloody couple sits under the bloody tree reading a bloody book. Together. Books weren't meant to be read together damnit. (Sorry for the Gollum moment.)

Saturday's graduation was tiring. I never once sat down from the time I got to Hilton at 930am til I left the place at 4.15pm. I've been having a constant pain in my left knee since then. I had to chase after maroon-jacketed staffs urging them to please put in the extra chairs, and the signage on the stage, and the scalloping, and the...

When things don't get done your way, go flirt talk with the Operations Manager.

2. No Hags Allowed (That includes the one who wore a v-slit dress showing non-existant curves, with huge black butterfly prints all over).

A colleague who has been a pain the ass ever since she joined the company attended the event like that. I guess it's okay if we were having a fashion show on what NOT to wear in ANY circumstance, but we weren't. We are professionals, dear. Oh oops. I guess that means we, minus you.

And when you steal coffee from the event next door, DON'T lie about and say you didn't know when the boss asks you. HELLOOOOO, it's in front of the ballroom like FAR FAR AWAY.

3. Smile, it's free.

But only for those who deserve it. The definition of those deserving is

1. Those who don't make me repeat the same thing twice, thrice...and so forth.

2. Not our students.

3. Not the hag.

4. If I'm doing the work YOU should be doing but you're not doing it cause you're too incompetent, then not you too.

5. Not anyone at all after I've stood for 6 hours straight.

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I'm sorry, but a 'Congratulations, you did a good job' doesn't cut it anymore.

I am a discontented employee.

Fire the hag, give me a raise, and maybe I'll stay.

This old woman, she played seven, she played knick knack and went to heaven.

Tagged by A Diva.

Seven things I plan to do before I die:
[x] Pretend to be a beggar
[x] It
[x] Backpack Europe
[x] See all famous plays and musicals
[x] Gain recognition for an artistically-related work (drawing/ photography/ writing etc)
[x] Adopt a daughter and name her Maya
[x] Swim with dolphins

Seven things I could do:
[x] Work. But then I wouldn't be able to procrastinate, so lets not neglect the latter.
[x] Copywriting.
[x] Think less.
[x] Learn how to knit.
[x] Spend all my money. But then Christmas would be quite sad for everyone else.
[x] Move to another country. But I won't cause I'm a daddy's girl.
[x] Get braces. But they hurt so no no.

Seven celebrity crushes:
[x] Ryan Phillippe
[x] Brad Pitt and Jolie (they're one)
[x] James Marsden
[x] Jensen Button
[x] Robert Redford (I don't care if he's old enough to be my sugar daddy)
[x] Alex Yoong


Seven often repeated words:
[x] Ohmygoodnesss
[x] Oh isit?
[x] Lets put it this way...
[x] Bloody hell
[x] ...bah
[x] Serious?
[x] Oh well.

Seven physical traits I look for in the opposite sex:
[x] Arms
[x] Shoulders
[x] Chest
[x] Teeth/ Smile
[x] A good walk (none of that dragging your feet kind)
[x] Eyebrows (hehe)
[x] I am not shallow

Seven things I do to make myself happy:
[x] Buy stationery
[x] Buy something from the pharmacy
[x] Being deliberately sad by watching depressing movies. After a good cry, everything seems better.
[x] Buy huge bars of chocolate and finish it all at once
[x] Singing sad, sad songs
[x] Watching cartoons with my brothers
[x] Write

I tag Kenie, Tania, Moobs, MishMash, Merv

Oxymoron: On Work Holiday

Things have been hectic at work, thus no time to blog in the office.

I have been mellow after work, thus no mood to blog at home.

And that basically sums up my absence, which I think some of you aren't quite used to. Even back in xanga when I declared an official hiatus, I'd only go missing for three days.

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AIR ASIA's SCAM SPAM

I've been getting emails from the above airline, and there's basically two things to say.

1. They didn't increase the plane ticket price when the price for oil was hiked up, UNLIKE MAS Airlines who did (and got a lot of public refute). Nops, they just increased the airport tax.

Who reads fine print these days right?

2. The new promotion of 80% on all flights basically means first they hike it up by 70%, THEN they discount you 80%, which means all in all you get a 10% discount. Some say, well, 10% is better than none.

I say, that's one helluva marketing gimmick, but thank goodness I have a calculator.

A Special Kind Of Something.

Since I am both special and something, I shall do this thing passed on by Rom, the someone.

Top 5 Weird Habits

# 5 - I can't remember

I can't remember stuff. Like how, right now, I can't remember what my weird habits are, although I'm pretty darn sure I've got a handful.

If I am talking to you, and both of us have something to say at the same time, and you say it first, there's a 90% chance of my forgetting what I was going to say by the time you're done saying what you have to say.

I studied in my previous university for two years - I still don't know the way there.

But I can remember phone numbers pretty well.

# 4 - Compulsively Meticulous

If you ever browse my computer, everything is tagged in the same manner, and all grouped into seperate folders contained within more folders.

I NEED things to be in order. Alphabetical. Or by author, or genre. Or by title or topic.

I can't take it if people just chuck ALL their documents into a 'Work' folder. Or if all their mp3s aren't named in the same manner - Artist - Song Title.

#3 - Mind Your Manners Now

Another peeve - Service. Say your pleases and thank yous and smile, just a teeeny bit, and I will like you.

Don't tell me you don't know. Find out.

Oh, and don't get my order wrong.

#2 - C is for Coffee, and also Caramel.

I've never been a coffee drinker but on those occasions when I do go to a coffee place; whether it be Coffee Bean, Starbucks, or some local cafe - I order the same thing always: Caramel Ice Blended.

#1 - I Just Can't Shut Up

Now if it so happens that you're a very shy person, or the type to 'tread lightly' on the unfamiliar grounds of a platonic relationship, I'm sorry, but my reflexes tell me to hurl questions at you like an inquisitive kid who has been kept in captivity since the days of Mesopotamia.

It might be a journalist thing. Or just a self-protective shield - I baffle you with so many non-sensical questions that you can't quite think of 'meaningful' things to ask me.

Oh, and the constant NEED to make people laugh. I seriously take offense if your mouth doesn't at least twitch. And that makes me try all the harder. So if you want me to shut up, you better pretend to be thoroughly amused.

C'mon, you know you are. =)

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I pass the baton on to no one because I have no friends. But if you think you're my friend, and you've not done this before, then please do and give me a holler to go over and see.

Prunes are good for constipation

I feel like a prune. All wrinkled, dry and devoid of inspiration.

My job.

I am a Marketing Assistant, but I do a lot of things - writing letters to schools and corporates, organising events, writing business proposals, calling up students, writing press releases and etc.

Sometimes, I change the toilet paper roll too.

Can someone PLEASE tell me what a marketing job is supposed to cover?

Sometimes I feel so saturated with daily work tasks, that depression doesn't leave even when I'm fed chocolate and ice-cream.

I honestly feel quite sorry for myself, not for all the things that I have to do; but the dry, uninspiring environment I have to work in.

Closing my eyes and playing pretend isn't even an option - being surrounded by blue tiled floors, egg-washed walls and neon tubes that buzz ever so dully over my head.

I have Ally McBeal moments where I see myself sexily clad in tight leather pants and a cowboy hat, but grovelling across the desert as tumbleweeds roll over me and hidden quicksand pits appear and swallow me whole.

I am Magnificent! but I can't express it (I apologise for my lack of humility here).

I don't hate it, but neither do I wake up bright and early, with my eyes shining and my lips smiling, just BOUNCING with joy at the prospect of work.

Does anyone feel that way about their job at all? (the bouncing) I'm starting to think that it's a lie capitalists told to get us to work for them.

CB.

t(-_-)t

Now You See Logic, Now You Don’t!

I have always treated emotions with as much brainwork as possible, although both are intrinsically contradictory.

The heart is an often misleading thing, causing one to do reckless, stupid things. And we must therefore never (almost never, anyway) listen to it.

I’ve always believed that matters of the heart – whether you’re sad, worried or depressed (I list only the bad ones cause they’re the only ones we try to ‘get over’) can be overcomed and solved as long as we put our mind to it. As long as we try.

But I’ve tried. And I owe a huge apology to those whom I’ve always given advice to in a very matter-of-fact way.

There’s nothing straightforward, nothing easy about controlling emotions at all.

You retain some form of self-control, yes, but only to carry you as far as to not burst out crying in the middle of the office.

But other than that, it gnaws at you every minute you’re aware of it, and you can’t pretend that you’re not (aware of it), because of the vivid imagery that plays itself over and over. One that you don’t want to watch and cover your eyes with your hands with, but still peek in between your fingers because it gives you a certain sense of euphoria.

Sometimes control is within grasp because the thing is insignificant enough; and logic wins over.

Some other times, logic says that it’s logical to be sad. Because you are.

And that’s when you let yourself say that you’re not okay. That you can’t take it. That you feel like giving up.

But like all things, nothing is permanent. Not blue sunny skies, nor stormy thundering ones.

And after you’ve allowed yourself to be logically sad, you pick yourself up and you make the logical conclusion that you’ve lived through one day, and you will live through another.

And with that you are able to summon up the courage to smile a little, and to lie and say that you’re okay again.