Friday, October 31, 2008

Aaaarrrggghhh!!!

Today, on my way to office, while driving, I was screaming my heart out. Aaaaarrrrgggghhhh!!!

Reasons:

1. Along the route, at different locations, I came across three proton saga cars crawling worst than tortoises in a fast lane. One was talking on a handphone. Another was smoking with one hand out, shaking off the ashes of the cigarette butt on and off. The final one was just sight seeing I guess cos' there were no cars at all in front of him, and he was taking the damn sweet time observing the scenery along the road, in a fast lane and couldn't care less about me tailing! My question: Why these type of human beings drive a Proton Saga? It enhances the bad reputation of the brand name whereas the driver(s) should be at fault. Sigh.

2. I got 6 messages coming in my handphone while driving and a few calls non stop ringing. Hello, I am driving and will never slow down to read messages or answer to calls and I do not like to wear a handsfree, can't stand the little speakers in my ears. Also, even if I on the speaker, I can't really hear well (my music is at full blast, of course!) and I do not want to look like an insane driver, speaking to oneself (though I do not mind singing out loud, tapping my fingers on the steering, tapping my feet on the pedal and/or shaking my head left and right while driving). Hey, its my principles ok? Unless, if the hp keeps on ringing like a zillion times, then I will signal and stop by the roadside. On top of it all, my blackberry too was non stop buzzing and the red signals keep blinking, meaning emails or messsages are coming in, non-stop. Aiyo... so tension ma... tak sampai office lagi, baru pukul 8.55 am dah ada 23 emails and needed my response. Phew!

3. I was thinking hard of the departmental KPI (Key Performance Indicators) and its evaluation next week. I have solid justifications for two of the eight initiatives that was rated a bit low but for me to say it out loud during the evaluation session will affect the well being of my superiors. Some of the delays were due to changes after changes and finally back to the first one, without taking into consideration on time. Time is the essence. The undecisiveness and 'not that great decisions' (don't want to say lousy, though it actually is 'lousy decisions') affect my departmental performance. And, worst still, I have to answer and rebutt, me...moi... ok!

4. One of my staff is giving me problems. I found out that a few things were not done accordingly. I do not see the urgency in accomplishing work. A few completed tasks were later found incomplete, wrong, not as briefed (though I saw notes were taken during the briefing) and the list goes on. I had spoken to this staff, not once but thrice... and still I found the errors. What more, tasks assigned to this staff, was never submitted on time. Procrastinate or forgetful or plain novice of what deadline is? Looks like I need to slowtalk again... but till when... tak reti2 ke... tak faham, tak tahu...tanye laa. As a result of this staff incapabilities and not meeting my standards (he he I ada benchmark and expectations of my team), another staff keep complaining to me because this person got to redo the other persons wrongdoings or uncomplete tasks or merely plain rechecking, out of curiousity after a few errors found. Marah la yg sorang ni. And, telinga mak ni dah tak larat nak dengar...tu yg mak pikir-pikir sampai menjerit sekuat hati dlm keter tuh. Adus!

5. I plan to go for a 3D2N holiday in Singapore this December. Imagine, my last trip there was in 1990! Need to book Tiger Airways asap if I am really going. But I am contemplating now. I have always wanted to go to New Zealand (NZ). And now, NZ dollar is lower than Singapore Dollar, pikir2 its better to go to NZ. Accomomodation, I have a friend doing PhD there and she keeps pestering me to visit her. Now I am confused. This year I only managed to go to Bali, Cherating and Tioman Island. On top of this all, last night I rasa terpanggil seruan Ilahi... so rasa nak gi Mekah. Seriously. Am not kidding. Never felt this before. A few days ago pun dah rasa and had told Flower Girl about it. Now ni musim haji and a few of my relatives and friends are going. Lagi terasa lak. Dok jalan2 seantero dunia, Mekah tak penah pegi lagi..huhuhu. Feel so bad pulak. Kalau mum tau, sure lagi dia nasi tambah, he he he. So camner, am a bit confused now. Last2 ni, sure tak ke mana2. To umrah, kena lepas musim haji nanti la... tahun depan la Insyaallah.

Alamak! Panjang la pulak posting ni jadik. Dari nak lepas geram je, konon satu para je... thats normal me la... in fact, kalau dibiarkan I can go on writing everything that is in my head now. Ni pun banyak I control macho dan tapis, buat mental screening. Kalau tidak satu dunia akan mengenali isi perut ku...mua ha ha ha.

Feel good now... Out of my chest dah, lega sikit. Masalah tu tetap ada, but sekurang-kurangnya I tak rasa tertekan sangat. Insyaallah I can manage and handle with care. Selalunya fitrah Kalambicara ni, risau je lebih, lepas tu kacang je... bak kata one of my seniors and roommate (for three semesters) masa belajar dulu, "You ni suka je risau, suka je nyusahkan diri, benda tak der ape. Lepas tu semuanya you boleh solve nanti. Tak faham I!" Yes, Kak Ju (Juliana Omar, formerly with Bernama, now with Petronas), I ingat tu. :)

Kalambicara is sigining off with high hopes that all will be settled and overcomed smoothly, Insyaallah.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Thats it!

Like I mentioned in my first blog dated 1 Oct 2007, I am known among friends at previous workplace as the "Lady of Principle" and friends during MBA days used to call me, "Miss Powerhouse" and these two names are synonym with me for quite some time.

My point... today I uphold these two names with dignity. Pantang I ialah bila seseorang tu boleh kata I macam-macam which are not true and exaggerated, straight to my face or behind my back, and I got to know it... jangan harap I boleh ketawa2 lagi dengan orang tu...Worst still, if that person(s) can tegur2 and talk to me like nothing happened before.

I am no hypocrite. How can I joke, have fun or even eat and be merry with you when earlier you said things so much about me. I know this is not about me personally but still it affects me and my well being. I will not forget. The wound maybe will heal but the scar will always be there. I reiterate: I can never forget. Can never erase it from my thoughts. It will be embedded in my mind. Yes, I am hurt. And, I will not forget those untrue things that you said to me especially on my work performance. Hello... how do you measure? I do not want to blame you but I do have all the justifications, reasons and evidences. Dare you tell lies...!

As a result to all these hulaboo... I just cannot make myself smile with you anymore, let alone to talk about things other than work. So, I made up my mind, not to join lunch as organised today. Honestly, I do not know the purpose of this luncheon, it was quite abrupt and out of the blues. Whatever, I just do not have the heart to go, thats all. Period. I have come to the point already. No regrets. No turning back. Come what may...

Kalambicara is a bit upset with some matters and words expressed by some people today...gtg



Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Dingin - Ziana Zain

Dingin malam yang menyelubungi
Hening sayu dalam hati
Berbicara bersendirian

Ku rasa resah
Selama dibuai rindu
Pada cinta yang terlalu
Terpendam di dalam khayalan

Kan ku leraikan impian indah
KepadaNya ku berserah
Mungkin tak daya
Ku tawan cinta yang sama

*chorus
Dinginnya getaran asmara
Sentuhan mula bermadah
Ku tak bisa juarai
Jiwa yang ku tak punya

Dinginnya bila kau berkata
Ruang buat ku tiada
Memoriku gengamilah
Biarkan aku beralah

Dalam hatiku tiada dendam
Walau impian semalam
Masih mekar dalam ingatan

Kan ku leraikan impian indah
KepadaNya ku berserah
Mungkin tak daya
Ku tawan cinta yang sama

oo hooo ooooo…


Kalambicara is suddenly feeling so cold... gtg now :(

Monday, October 13, 2008

Think & Act Like A CEO

This morning we had our weekly Operations Meeting. Due to the Raya holidays and all, we did not have the meeting for the last two weeks.

This meeting was chaired by the CEO himself and attended by all Heads of Departments (HODs) in our organisation. The main objective of this meeting is actually to allow HODs to bring up any issue direct to CEO's immediate attention and get the solution or feedback there and then.

Anyway, a meeting is a meeting lah.... so I guess you all know the process of a meeting. Am not going through the details here. Just that there was this one statement that I could not forget. The CEO said that we all, HODs, have to think and act like a CEO.

At that very moment, I smiled. Can I also earn an income like a CEO? How I wish...

Back at work after the meeting, I publicised one book available at KRC (Knowledge Resource Centre) via email to all members of the management. The title is 'Speak Like A CEO' by Suzanne Bates. Not long after, someone came to KRC and borrowed the book. Good.

Kalambicara is still smiling recalling the positive effect of the CEO's remarks.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Its My Day!

Today, 11 October, is my birthday, my day.

I started receiving birthday wishes since the last three days. Thanks a zillion to all for the wonderful thoughts.

So, what did I do on my day? Well, with my mum and sisters, we went to Mid Valley and The Gardens. I called this visit to shopping complex as my retail theraphy. It was really healing and I truly enjoyed and never had enough. Met my brother and his wife there and together we window shopped and had lunch.

My initial intention was to get a handbag, a perfume and a new facial care set. I have set the brand that I wanted. Anyway, am not going to reveal them here. My current Lollipop handbag is almost seasoned. My current perfume, Aigner Black by Etienne Aigner is almost at its last drop. So is my Glamourous by Britner Spears. And, lastly I need to act fast on the pores and wrinkles on my almost sagging face! :) Doesn't it look like I really need all these items? I do, right?

Talking about treating myself, in the end, I bought nothing. Reason, the brand of the handbag that I aimed for was not there. Have to go to either KLCC or Pavillion. As for the perfume and the facial care set, I was so frustrated when I compared the prices there with the ones I saw at the duty free in KLIA. I should have bought them during the promotion at KLIA before boarding the flight to KB during the recent Raya. Arrrggghhh!! Not only the prices differ, but the extras given in the package was so much attractive. So, being quite thrifty nowadays (as the economy too is on the downturn - blame it there!), I decided not to embark yet. Maybe I will wait till the Christmas Sale soon or on my next trip somewhere.

After Mid Valley and The Gardens, we went to an auntie's house in Putra Heights for a Raya gathering. Oh well... found the nasi dagang now... my auntie made nasi dagang with gulai ikan tongkol, kerutup ayam and gulai udang. Also theres nasi impit and kuah kacang and laksa. Yum yum yummy...

All in all, thats how I spent my day, nothing extraordinary this time but had a great time with my family. Btw, I am not sad or down or feeling emotional or lousy today. I am okay. Maybe this age is coming to me already, he he he. Accepting the fact of life, thankful to Allah swt that I am still alive and kicking. I am not upset even when I did not receive the one wish that I was earlier hoping for. It was understandable and I had already anticipated it. So, no hard feelings at all. I am happy. I had a simple day but a great one, today, on my birthday, with my loved ones i.e members of my family. Alhamdulillah.

Kalambicara is signing off while humming "Happy Birthday to me...happy birthday to me...!"

Friday, October 10, 2008

Ceria Beraya

Its now ten days of Syawal and many are still in the Raya mood. Me, still not had enough of the Raya food. Till now, I have not tasted the Lontong and Lodeh, Soto, Nasi Dagang, and the like yet. We celebrated the first three days of Raya here in KL and another three days in KB. We went back to KB not so much for celebrating Raya but more to celebrate a cousin's wedding i.e my Aunite Mo second son's wedding.

As I was still working on the eve of Raya, so not much baking was done this time around. I managed to bake only three types of cookies namely Biskut Mazola, Choc Chip Cookies and White London Almond, as compared to my usual six or seven types. For cakes, I baked one fruit cake, one orange cake and plenty of cupcakes with butter frosting. I only bought some pineapple and roselle tarts and some 'kuih batang buruk'. I did received a few containers of cookies from some business contacts as well, so that added to a few varieties on the coffee table. Oh btw I also prepared some toffee from the recipe given by Villas, my colleague. It was quite a favourite among those with sweet tooth. My mum made Nasi Hujan Panas (colourful rice) with Ayam Masak Merah, Dalca, Acar Mentah, Sambal and Kerutup Daging. Best giler! Also theres my mum's specialty and all time family favourite, the ketupat pulut kacang in daun palas. In addition, we bought some lemang and beef rendang. But, I forgot to snap photos of these food on the main table...hu hu...too busy entertaining...

Anyway, see the photos below for some of our Raya and wedding celebrations both in KL and KB this Syawal 1429H...

My mum, me, my uncle and his wife, at my house.
Replenishing the cupcakes, the hottest kuih raya...

With my uncle and cousin, all born in the same year!My mum (leaning against the wall), my sis, my aunties and a cousin.

The bride and groom (my cousin, Nik Nadzmen), at the bride's house.The newly wed, again, at the groom's house.

From the groom to the bride.

From the bride to the groom.

My mum, my sisters, my aunties, my cousins & an uncle, at the groom's house(my auntie's house) in Pasir Mas. Shes in white tudung.

My sis, my uncle and my cousin at my house... Namastee!

My mum's famous sweet ketupat pulut with black eye peas
(before being wrapped in daun palas).The ketupat pulut after being wrapped, ready for steaming. The dessert on the coffee table...
With my cousin, Farha, at my house.

Photos below are some 'kuih raya' that I made i.e self made, home made...

Choc Chip Cookies
Biskut Mazola
Cupcakes
Slices of Orange Cake

Slices of Fruit Cake
Toffee

Well... thats how I celebrated 1st of Syawal 1429H. It was tiring, but I had fun, especially being together with my siblings and meeting relatives. Travelling with my siblings was full of laughter. Took a flight with mum back to KB and traveled back to KL in a car, another sis of mine took the flight with mum. It will be too tiring for mum to be in a car for more than 8 hours. All in all, the last Raya enhanced our bonding and love for each other. Hopefully, next raya will be even better. Insyaallah.

Kalambicara is happy and contented now...

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Salam Aidil Fitri 1429H


To all Muslim followers of my blog, heres wishing you "Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri and Maaf Zahir Batin". To the rest of the readers, "Happy Holidays".

Andai ada tersilap bicara
Andai ada terkasar bahasa
Andai ada terguris rasa
Andai ada tercipta sengketa
Ampun dan maaf dipinta

May we all have a blessed and meaningful Eid this time around.

Salam Aidil Fitri from the bottom of my heart.

Kalambicara got to rush for some last minute prep...