I am really disappointed. Just found out from a friend, that certain documents of mine, which were due to be reviewed had been kept in KIV/ dormant / or simply forgotten.
It is clear that despite the PM’s call for better customer service, ISO certifications, and big “Q” symbols representing quality hanging everywhere ...
Some things are best left unsaid.
I was under the impression that my application had been approved or was at least at the final stages of evaluation. I received no progress report or whether it had been rejected and it has been several months since my last investigation/ interview.
So we went to Putrajaya last Friday with a fresh letter of appeal. My wife took leave from her office and we rushed to reach there before the employees left for their Friday prayers. We were too late as the offices closed at 11:30 am on Fridays and would only open at 3:00 pm.
We tried to kill time by driving around Putrajaya. After prayers, headed to Alamanda for lunch. This was our first visit to this mall and I have to say I am quite impressed with the place. Had lunch at the food court. The food was great but a bit pricy - RM7.50 for nasi champor with carrot susu (carrot with milk). However, we were not there to enjoy the ambiance of the place and left for the offices as soon as we finished our lunch.
When we got there, It was drizzling a bit and I couldn't find any parking. My wife asked me to drop me at the entrance of the particular block and find parking somewhere else. I went around the place a few times but couldn't find any parking. Finally I went out and found parking at the back of the block. I sent my wife an sms telling her where I had parked and to call me when she was done and started reading the newspaper that I had brought along.
I was at the cartoons when I suddenly realised that it had been quite a while but I still hadn't received any call from my wife. Tried to call her but the phone was dead. It then struck me - I remembered here telling me that her battery was dead while we were having lunch. I am so absent minded sometimes. Felt like kicking myself.
I quickly reversed the car and went to the entrance of the block. Just then I received a call from my very angry wife telling me to meet her at the guardhouse of the complex.
She had reason to be angry. After not finding me anywhere near the entrance, she had walked to guardhouse to see whether I had parked there. She had requested some people around to lend her their phones to call me (she was willing to pay) but without any success. In the end, she had to walk to the nearest pay phone (which was not so near) to call me.
She let off some steam and I kept quiet because I knew it was partly my fault.
It also turned out that she was already pissed off even before that, with the tidak apa attitude of the people manning the counter in the office.
I really love my wife. She spent two days writing (in Bahasa Malaysia) and going through the letters. She had also taken leave from work for the whole day, missing a very important meeting.
Come to think of it. She has sacrificed a lot for me. She even delayed going for her PhD overseas at the risk of losing her slot next year, just to allow me to finish my contract. Thanks Darling for standing by me through thick and thin.
I hope that our sacrifices are not in vain.
17 July 2005
12 July 2005
Similar Blog Names
It's good to have an easy-to-remember and unique name for your blog or website. I thought Ah OK Lah Blog! was a great choice.
Then I received a few complaints from my friends trying to get to my blog. They told me that they ended up in another blog. Some even thought that I had deleted the blog and put up some rubbish.
Trying to get to the root of the problem, I finally realised that they had gone to another blog with the URL: http://www.oklah.blogspot.com/.
It's partly my fault. I broke one of the key rules: Having a visitor friendly URL.
My blog URL is actually similar to the one above and the only difference is a dash between ok and lah.
I realise that many guys don't actually use the bookmark function on their browsers. However, these guys forgot that there is a great website out there called Google, to help them. Using the key words ‘Ok Lah’ or ‘Ah Ok Lah’ and hitting the search button will lead you straight to my blog as it is No. 1 on the results list.
Then I received a few complaints from my friends trying to get to my blog. They told me that they ended up in another blog. Some even thought that I had deleted the blog and put up some rubbish.
Trying to get to the root of the problem, I finally realised that they had gone to another blog with the URL: http://www.oklah.blogspot.com/.
It's partly my fault. I broke one of the key rules: Having a visitor friendly URL.
My blog URL is actually similar to the one above and the only difference is a dash between ok and lah.
I realise that many guys don't actually use the bookmark function on their browsers. However, these guys forgot that there is a great website out there called Google, to help them. Using the key words ‘Ok Lah’ or ‘Ah Ok Lah’ and hitting the search button will lead you straight to my blog as it is No. 1 on the results list.
2nd Visit to the Dentist
I finally had my second wisdom tooth extracted on the 6th, last wednesday. Dr. Shaifulizan (Maxillofacial & Oral Surgery) of the School of Dental Sciences, USM, carried out the operation. This time it took slightly longer (about 20 minutes) as it was deeper.
I had wanted to take some pics but forgot to bring the camera. Maybe it was for the best as it would have grossed out a lot of visitors to my blog. I hope that it I won't have to visit the dentist for a long long time. It's healing well but I am still chewing on the right side.
The School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is one of the leading Medical Schools in Malaysia. It was established in 1979 and is situated in Kubang Kerian, Kelantan.
My dad has been working there for nearly 10 years now. He was complaining that there were no takers for post graduate studies in his field, Pathology. Considered boring by many medical students because it involves mostly laboratory work and peering into microscopes. Anybody interested?
I had wanted to take some pics but forgot to bring the camera. Maybe it was for the best as it would have grossed out a lot of visitors to my blog. I hope that it I won't have to visit the dentist for a long long time. It's healing well but I am still chewing on the right side.
The School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is one of the leading Medical Schools in Malaysia. It was established in 1979 and is situated in Kubang Kerian, Kelantan.
My dad has been working there for nearly 10 years now. He was complaining that there were no takers for post graduate studies in his field, Pathology. Considered boring by many medical students because it involves mostly laboratory work and peering into microscopes. Anybody interested?
10 July 2005
Sick in GSC 1 Utama
Last Friday, we went to One Utama to catch the War of the Worlds. Initially our plan was to put Rahil to sleep and then sneak out and catch the midnight show. Fortunately, my mother-in-law volunteered to look after her, which was a big relief as we could catch the earlier show. Also we wouldn’t have been able to enjoy the movie - worrying about Rahil as the baby monitor was rosak (out of order) and sometimes the maid didn’t hear Rahil crying.
I parked at the ground level parking at the old wing and went up to theTGV cineplex. Discovered that the movie was due to start 10 minutes later. My wife suddenly insisted we go to the recenty opened GSC multiplex at the new wing. We walked all the way and after exploring a bit, finally reached GSC. For those who didn’t know, it is situated at the Entertainment level (fourth floor), next to the snooker center + bowling alley. They didn’t have good seats either and so we decided on the 11:50 pm show. Since we had a lot of time before the movie started, we went back to the car, took the tunnel and parked at the basement of the new wing. The elevator took us right up to the multiplex.
We still had more time and we decided to kill time at the Starbucks 1 level down. I had hot Café Latte and my wife had the same but with ice. We left with 5 minutes to go. I am not sure why but I was feeling a bit dizzy and my mouth felt bitter. I wanted to get a drink but looking at the queue decided against it.
The theater was really cool and had the smell of a new car. The sound system was great too. We also had nice seats, second row from the back.
After the movie started, the aliens had just started zapping people when the first wave of nausea hit me. I tired to pull myself together taking deep breaths and stretching but it was no use. I realized I was going to vomit. In my disorganized state I couldn’t even open the door. I thought that they had locked it from outside but it opened up when my wife tried it. I had been trying to push it the wrong way.
I rushed to the toilet, which thankfully was nearby and let go. After vomiting out most of the costly Starbucks coffee, I went and washed my mouth and face. I felt slightly better and went back into the theatre.
I was wrong, I had to make two more trips to the toilet and emptied the entire contents of my stomach. It felt like the time when I used to drink and had way too much. Fortunately I could still walk (and without the hangover).
My wife asked me whether I wanted to go back home and as I didn’t want to ruin our night out, decided against it. In the end, I kept my eyes closed for most of the movie and heard it rather that watched it. On the way back home, my wife drove me back reminding me of Eric Clapton’s Wonderful Tonight. And I ruined two small towels, which happened to be in the glove compartment.
I am not sure whether it was the coffee or something I had eaten earlier or the cigarette smoke at Starbucks. It may have been an effect of the anti-inflammatory drug I had taken for my tooth swelling (I had just removed another wisdom tooth on Wednesday). I may have been because of the smell of the theatre. Maybe it was due to the fact that I was tired and way past my bedtime or a combination of all of the above. Whatever it was that caused the nausea, it totally ruined my night out with my wife and we don’t get that chance often now-a-days. One of my worst experiences ever. And I have to buy the DVD of the movie now.
I parked at the ground level parking at the old wing and went up to theTGV cineplex. Discovered that the movie was due to start 10 minutes later. My wife suddenly insisted we go to the recenty opened GSC multiplex at the new wing. We walked all the way and after exploring a bit, finally reached GSC. For those who didn’t know, it is situated at the Entertainment level (fourth floor), next to the snooker center + bowling alley. They didn’t have good seats either and so we decided on the 11:50 pm show. Since we had a lot of time before the movie started, we went back to the car, took the tunnel and parked at the basement of the new wing. The elevator took us right up to the multiplex.
We still had more time and we decided to kill time at the Starbucks 1 level down. I had hot Café Latte and my wife had the same but with ice. We left with 5 minutes to go. I am not sure why but I was feeling a bit dizzy and my mouth felt bitter. I wanted to get a drink but looking at the queue decided against it.
The theater was really cool and had the smell of a new car. The sound system was great too. We also had nice seats, second row from the back.
After the movie started, the aliens had just started zapping people when the first wave of nausea hit me. I tired to pull myself together taking deep breaths and stretching but it was no use. I realized I was going to vomit. In my disorganized state I couldn’t even open the door. I thought that they had locked it from outside but it opened up when my wife tried it. I had been trying to push it the wrong way.
I rushed to the toilet, which thankfully was nearby and let go. After vomiting out most of the costly Starbucks coffee, I went and washed my mouth and face. I felt slightly better and went back into the theatre.
I was wrong, I had to make two more trips to the toilet and emptied the entire contents of my stomach. It felt like the time when I used to drink and had way too much. Fortunately I could still walk (and without the hangover).
My wife asked me whether I wanted to go back home and as I didn’t want to ruin our night out, decided against it. In the end, I kept my eyes closed for most of the movie and heard it rather that watched it. On the way back home, my wife drove me back reminding me of Eric Clapton’s Wonderful Tonight. And I ruined two small towels, which happened to be in the glove compartment.
I am not sure whether it was the coffee or something I had eaten earlier or the cigarette smoke at Starbucks. It may have been an effect of the anti-inflammatory drug I had taken for my tooth swelling (I had just removed another wisdom tooth on Wednesday). I may have been because of the smell of the theatre. Maybe it was due to the fact that I was tired and way past my bedtime or a combination of all of the above. Whatever it was that caused the nausea, it totally ruined my night out with my wife and we don’t get that chance often now-a-days. One of my worst experiences ever. And I have to buy the DVD of the movie now.
7/7
Woke up on the 8th morning slightly drowsy, with a throbbing ache in my left side of my mouth - where my wisdom tooth used to be. Went down to get a cup of tea and picked up the copy of the NST.
The headlines woke me up - "Terror attack in London". I couldn't believe it.
I quickly switched on the TV and switched to BBC. Yes, it was true. Terrorists (suspected Al-Qaeda) had struck in London.
The targeting of innocent people at public areas at the peak hour when everyone was rushing to work shows that these people do not discriminate between sexes, age, race or even religion.
According to a BBC report, those caught in the blast included people from Sierra Leone, Australia, Portugal, Poland and China as well as the UK.
This was yet another blow to the image of Islam. I also fear that innocent Muslims may be targeted in a backlash. Already in the northwest England city of Birkenhead, Merseyside, suspected arsonists have attacked a mosque - the Wirral Islamic Cultural Centre, Shahjalal Mosque this Saturday. Read the reports here and here.
Now, we are reconsidering our plans to further our studies in UK.
The headlines woke me up - "Terror attack in London". I couldn't believe it.
I quickly switched on the TV and switched to BBC. Yes, it was true. Terrorists (suspected Al-Qaeda) had struck in London.
The targeting of innocent people at public areas at the peak hour when everyone was rushing to work shows that these people do not discriminate between sexes, age, race or even religion.
According to a BBC report, those caught in the blast included people from Sierra Leone, Australia, Portugal, Poland and China as well as the UK.
This was yet another blow to the image of Islam. I also fear that innocent Muslims may be targeted in a backlash. Already in the northwest England city of Birkenhead, Merseyside, suspected arsonists have attacked a mosque - the Wirral Islamic Cultural Centre, Shahjalal Mosque this Saturday. Read the reports here and here.
Now, we are reconsidering our plans to further our studies in UK.
04 July 2005
Malaysian Idol and Akademi Fantasia
It seems like whenever I go out, some guy or the the other will start talking about either Malaysian Idol or Akademi Fantasia. I then realise that most Malaysians are born critics.
Just the other day, one of our friends stated this discussion about Mawi's concept of a perfect 'Gadis Melayu'or Malay Girl. The issue was his first condition that the girl must wear a 'Tudung' (head covering). My friend was of the opinion that it was not a good PR on his part as that might put non-tudung Malay girls against him. However, I disagreed. My rationale was that tudung clad girls greatly outnumber the non-tudung clad Malay girls. Moreover, look at the voting demography - teenage schoolgirls and housewives (most of whom who wear tudung). If you don't believe me, just look at the screaming members of the Mawi fan club at all the shows - most of them are tudung clad Malay girls.
Anyway, 3 guys have already gone into the finals of Malaysian Idol. Atilia, Faizull and Xerra are the first ones to go in after the 1st workshop. I just came across Viewtru's Malaysian Idol blog. What's really funny are the names Viewtru has given to Faizull and Xerra - Fat Kampung Rocker and Anorexic Red haired Girl respectively.
I am really beginning to like Faizull. He's the guy we never expected to see through the prelims but now he's there - one of the finalists. However, I wonder whether Perniagaan Orang Kampung Sdn. Bhd. put him in to promote their products secretly. He kept on shouting "Orang Kampung" everytime he got through (but not anymore it seems).
Just the other day, one of our friends stated this discussion about Mawi's concept of a perfect 'Gadis Melayu'or Malay Girl. The issue was his first condition that the girl must wear a 'Tudung' (head covering). My friend was of the opinion that it was not a good PR on his part as that might put non-tudung Malay girls against him. However, I disagreed. My rationale was that tudung clad girls greatly outnumber the non-tudung clad Malay girls. Moreover, look at the voting demography - teenage schoolgirls and housewives (most of whom who wear tudung). If you don't believe me, just look at the screaming members of the Mawi fan club at all the shows - most of them are tudung clad Malay girls.
Anyway, 3 guys have already gone into the finals of Malaysian Idol. Atilia, Faizull and Xerra are the first ones to go in after the 1st workshop. I just came across Viewtru's Malaysian Idol blog. What's really funny are the names Viewtru has given to Faizull and Xerra - Fat Kampung Rocker and Anorexic Red haired Girl respectively.
I am really beginning to like Faizull. He's the guy we never expected to see through the prelims but now he's there - one of the finalists. However, I wonder whether Perniagaan Orang Kampung Sdn. Bhd. put him in to promote their products secretly. He kept on shouting "Orang Kampung" everytime he got through (but not anymore it seems).
Testing Blogger Images
Testing out the Blogger Images feature. 
It's a scanned picture of my sister Diana (when she was still cute). HaaaHaaaHaaaa
She is going to kill me for posting up this pic.
It's a scanned picture of my sister Diana (when she was still cute). HaaaHaaaHaaaa
She is going to kill me for posting up this pic.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
LinkWithin
