It's Patience that Saved the Day

I was at Giant after work to claim the cash that we have paid extra the night before. The cashier has accidently scanned the bar code of a packet of XXL white prawns twice. It didn't cost much but part of my objectives being there was to see how effective the customer service department work...

I reached there and was immediately greeted and assisted. After listening to my explanation, the officer there was apologetic and told me to wait for they have to view the recordings to check. I was asked to wait for 15 minutes. I said fine and stood at the counter observing how the others worked to kill time.

As I was waiting, I witnessed how the person-in-charge of the customer service counter managed an elderly customer who placed a complaint on the different price charged for a carton of drinks she bought. All the while, I only heard the elderly customer showing her anger and demanding to see the manager, when the person-in-charge was listening quietly and patiently, as cool as a cucumber, to her. She had to listen to the old lady's nagging as she was not given any chance to speak. The moment she tried to explain the procedure in order for the elderly customer to claim her money, the old lady shouted at her. This happened for a few times and she even called the person-in-charge "a f**"(!) and demanded to see the manager.

The person-in-charge listened quietly and tried to pacify the customer by telling her that they would return the difference. Efficient enough, after a few seconds, she came out from a small room holding a few notes and a piece of document for the old lady to sign. After that, she left, still grumbling under her breath.

After the whole drama ended, it's finally my turn to get mine. I thanked and complimented for the person-in-charge's patience and the others for a good job done. I was also very glad that I didn't act like the elderly customer. Did I mention that the old lady didn't even utter a word of thanks?

They understand the policy of customers are always right but can't the customers/consumers show their courtesy to the people at the customer service counter in return? After all, do we enjoy rice (making demands and raising our voice) and expect them to enjoy broth (giving them a hard time)?

Therapeutic Foliage

A new member added to my workstation.

There are many things on my workstation, books, stationery, calendar, little soft toys given by fellow colleagues, and now, the latest addition, a plant I called 'Therapeutic Foliage'. She (yea, personification) is a plant given to me by Mdm. Z this morning (thank you very much ^^). Why have I named her so? The first word of the phrase is introduced by Mdm. Z, it is therapeutic to look at greens (whenever possible). I added the next word, foliage, as she has only leaves with no flowers.

I am starting to look at her to rest my tired eyes, to search for ideas or points to complete my work, to talk or share my views, opinions... wait a minute, I'm talking to a plant? Am I talking to a plant??? Yes, I'm talking to my Therapeutic Foliage, she may not respond, but she is listening for sure...

Congratulations to My Former Students of SMKSU PJ

It was 1.22pm on 30th Dec 2008 that I got a few SMS-es. I looked at the mobile phone numbers but I couldn't figure who they were. I had changed a new one and that's the reason I couldn't recognise their numbers. They were my former students from the school I taught from Jan 2005 to Aug 2007. It was quite fortunate that they introduced themselves first and addressed me as a Puan (Madam in Malay language). It has been quite some time students I taught have not addressed me that way. They usually call me Madam or Ma'am in the college.

These few students still remembered me and texted to tell me their PMR results! I was so delighted that they have done quite well. They are NLL, THW, TWY and SS, all were from class 3A. NLL even apologised for getting a B for her History paper which made me so proud of her that she could secure something above C. She even promised to obtain better results in her SPM in year 2010.

To all the students formerly of 3A and 3C (year 2008), I wish you all the best in your future undertakings and pray for your success.

Happy New Year 2009 Messages for Me...

These messages were sent to my mobile phone since New Year's Eve...

• Happy New Year... Wish you a very happy 2009... Take care... From, N.
• As 2008 comes to an end, as we cherish the many good moments, as we try to wipe the unpleasantries, let us welcome 2009 as the year that will bring good health, good times and fortunes. Best wishes and much love. From, N.S.
• What is the secret of happiness? You can find the answer in your house. The WALL says BE STRONG, the CEILING says AIM HIGH, the DOOR says BE OPEN, the WINDOW says LEARN TO GIVE AND TAKE, the CLOCK says TIME IS GOLD, the CALENDAR says LOVE EVERYDAT AS IF IT WERE THE LAST, the CABINET says KEEP THINGS IN ORDER, the BED says TAKE TIME TO RELAX, the LAMP says BE THE LIGHT. And GOD, who's found everywhere in your house says, KEEP THE FAITH BECAUSE I AM WITH YOU! Happy New Year 2009! From, N.R.
• Wishing you unlimited amounts of happiness and laughter for the new year. Have a good one. From, S.O.
• Wishing you and family health, wealth, joy and happiness for 2009.. From, S.
• See ya 2008... What's up 2009... May love and laughter light your days, and warm your heart and home. May good faithful friends be yours, you may roam. May all life's passing reasons bring the best to you and yours!! HAPPY NEW YEAR. From, MLZY.
• A blessed and healthy 2009! May the New Year be a year of abundance, blessings and good health for you and your loved ones! From, PWMW.
• I wish you a FANTASTIC January, LOVABLE February, MARVELOUS March, LUCKIEST April, ENJOYABLE May, SUCCESSFUL June, WONDERFUL July, INDEPENDENT August, HEALTHIES September, TASTIEST October, BEAUTIFUL November, and HAPPIEST December. Have a blessed and victorious year. Happy New Year... 2009. From, JK.
• The year is almost gone but has made us strong. The path was long, but we have walked with a song. There were fears and tears but we alseo have reasons for cheers. Wishing you happy memories of this year and a great beginning to next year. Happy New Year 2009! From, S.S.; M.K.
• I pray that happiness be at your door. May it knock early, stay late and leave the gift of GOD's peace, love, joy and good health behind. Have a wonderful new year 2009! From, JCSP.
• Happy New Year 2009: 12 months of HAPPINESS, 52 weeks of FUN, 365 days of SUCCESS, 8760 hours of GOOD HEALTH, 525600 minutes of GOOD LUCK, 31536000 seconds of JOY for GOD. Wishing you and your family a "Happy New Year". From, TCK.
• Thousands of yesterdays are gone. Millions of tomorrows will come. But there is only ONE today. So, I don't wnat to miss the day to say Happy New Year 2009. From, J.
• May God's love walk before you. Troubles pass away from you. True friends stand beside you. And those you love surround you... throughout 2009. Happy New Year. From, MDL.
• I wish you health, so you may enjoy each day in comfort. I wish you the love of friends and family. And peace within your heart. I wish you generosity and love so you may share all good things that come to you. Happy New Year 2009! God bless! From, ANLC.
• 2009 is at your doorstep... Remember, life is short, break the rules, forgive and forget quickly, love truly, laugh uncontrollably, and never regret anything that made you smile. From, M.M.

Thanks everybody for the New Year wishes and wishing you all the best too!

2008 & 2009

Time flies.
Another 4 hours, we will be ushering 2009.
To me 2009 equates a new set of challenges, not to mention if most of them are obstacles,
Shouldn't have felt pessimistic...

2008
equated a few new phases/foundations which existed in my life,
has taught me valuable lessons,
has opened new opportunities for me to explore,
has made me a better person...

2008
i have read more books than before,
made more new friends and met many old mates,
seen my beloved students doing well in their next phase of life,
started blogging and facebooking...

2008
a traditional wedding ceremony,
a honeymoon in Taiwan,
addressing his family who are also mine...

2008
has added more knowledge and experience to my job
has accepted a variety of tasks in my career
(sounded more like missions: impossible, but made possible)
has made me older and more mature (?) at the workplace...

2008
has given me heartaches
my beloved student passed away in an accident
i fell on the field with injuries that lasted for 4 months
disasters after disasters happened locally and globally...

2009
people around expecting me to have a bundle of joy
people around expecting me to get a another degree
people around put high expectations on me

i'm not sure what to expect tomorrow when i open my eyes after a slumber. but what i know is life goes on... it's up to me to make it better, meaningful and worthwhile. it's a choice to make, for better or for worse...

Happy New Year 2009!

Twilight

The movie Twilight directed by Catherine Hardwicke.

The novel Twilight written by Stephenie Meyer.

I have watched the movie and have read the novel of the same title. This time around, it some sort gave a sense of deja vu. I have never thought I would be blogging about it. The last time I did something similar was when I had to submit my assignment for my Literature paper for my degree. Doing a comparative study on 'A Passage to India' after watching the movie and reading the novel. If you were from USM doing English as your major at the School of Humanities and were taught by Dr Gitu Chakravathy, I'm quite sure you had completed such assignment too. FYI, I got an A- for this assignment, muahahaha... (why did I sound so wicked suddenly? Shaking my head left and right a few times...)

I finished the novel in less than 5 days. Mephy encouraged me to purchase the novels (which was at a very good price, two-in-one for the price of RM49.90 at Borders Tropicana City Mall). I didn't regret owning them. FYI, I'm reading New Moon at the moment, rather slow...

Now... do I still do a comparative study here? A bit lazy, since it's not going to be graded, hmmm...

I have watched the making of the movie via youtube. I am still fascinated by what the author, Stephenie Meyer, has mentioned, the novel was written with visuals appearing in her mind and how she hoped to see it materialised in a movie. Well, her dream came true! A story by her, a movie produced, two superstars are born, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson!

I have watched the movie before reading the novel. Maybe due to that, I could finish the novel in less than five days. Everything is so detailed in the novel, with more exciting moments shared by the two main characters. I tried to visualise too as I was reading the novel. Whenever Edward and Bella's names are mentioned, their features appear in my mind. This goes the same for the other characters as well. It is like the extended sort of movie is playing in my mind too. I think fans of Twilight would not mind much if the novel is made into series of drama in detail, episode by episode, and everybody will be glued to the screen when the time comes. So, that's one good thing about reading and visualising at the same time.

The novel is written from Bella's point of view. However, I have found something more exciting than that. I saw 'Midnight Sun' somewhere on the net, and it is written from Edward's point of view. I wonder if it is published. This is because I only have the chance of reading its very first chapter only via pdf.

Hmm... I wonder how it would be like if I have read the novel first than watched the movie next. Would I be disappointed? Maybe yes, maybe no. I'll test this by watching 'Marley and Me' next year as I have already read the novel last year. It's my birthday gift from somebody special ^^.

Since this is not a comparative study, it is not really a review either, and I am still wondering what is it really! Maybe a brief sharing about my current favourite movie. A nice movie I enjoyed watching, a romantic-horror movie that I don't have to cover my eyes with anything when the (handsome and beautiful) vampires appeared in front of my eyes. And the effect? I was not afraid at all to travel in a dark lift to my empty office at Level 4 yesterday. Yikes! I have not considered those who are the opposites!

I don't find it a surprise when I saw the novel is also published in Chinese at the bookstore and is sold at RM29.90. Now, I wonder if this novel is also published in Malay language here...

Christmas Party at NASAM Ampang for the Strokees

NASAM Ampang's Christmas Tree ^^

This was the look of the centre when it was decorated.

The Strokees were having a game.

Entertainment at the open space outside the centre by Simon (the one playing guitar) and pals.

We were singing 'Santa Claus is coming to NASAM' as Santa Claus himself was walking down the stairs from the office.

The Strokees are having their western lunch served by the volunteers.

Did I mention yesterday that we are going to have a Christmas Party at NASAM Ampang for the Strokees today? Yup, I did and I attended it too! Thank goodness I have traded my facial treatment this morning with my presence at such a fantastic and meaningful party of the year for NASAM Ampang's Strokees. What's more wonderful, Ms. N is getting her break of the year!

I was rushing there as I was not familiar with the traffic in Ampang especially in the morning. I was there 15 minutes late, sorry Ms. N... Once I was there, I started to wrapped the gifts as promised. Then I moved on to decorate the Strokees' nametags with glittering string of gold. We, the volunteers (gee, am I a volunteer by now too?), had the glittering string of red. Some tied it around their necks, some on the wrists, and some, well, they were more creative than I thought (I won't be detail, you do the imagination yourself)... And not forgetting the Strokees' loved ones (inclusive of their maids), they had glittering string of green... Now, you may ask, why the colour coding... it was thought by the NASAM Admin, to make sure that the Santa Claus could identify the Strokees easily.

The Strokees came and were helped to sit in a big circle at the porch. They had a game, passing the parcels. A few Strokees were given parcels to hold. They would have to pass the parcels until the music stopped. Once the music was stopped, the Strokees who were holding the parcels would have to perform according to the slips of paper chosen. If they were able to do them, the parcels that they held were theirs. This had added delight to them. How many of us could really think of such way to play this game?

After the game, we had a singing session. We sang Christmas songs and a Mandarin number. I joined Simon and his friends too to sing. I was thinking that my voice could change the fine weather of that morning when somebody complimented that I can sing! I was so happy that moment, really... hopefully, it was more of a sincere compliment than an insult (which I usually get...) thanks Mr. L., that boosted a bit of my level of confidence.

Once the lunch was ready, with table cloth and utensils and serviettes laid beautifully to the Christmas theme, we wheeled and helped the Strokees into the hall. And soon, almost everybody was munching away. The food prepared were delicious! I could see those Strokees emptying their plate quite fast. As they were eating, Simon and his friends started to sing 'Santa Claus is Coming to NASAM' when a Santa Claus seen walking down the stairs. He started to distribute little gifts to the Strokees and the volunteers too! I got a dairy milk chocolate bar (I had not eaten any chocolate for some time, so this was a good excuse for me to enjoy it then, hehe...)! Then dessert were served. The result of Ms. and Mr. NASAM were also announced, Ms. NASAM went to Madam Lisa who had worn a beautiful red dress with red scarf and Mr. NASAM went to Mr. Durai, a look at him and he could be mistaken as Tony Fernandez of AirAsia at the Christmas Party! We even celebrated two Strokees' birthday! How happy they were as we sang a birthday song to both of them and each of them even had a birthday cake to call their own!

Once the food was cleared, the cakes were distributed, the Strokees started to leave for home. All of us were seen cleaning up the centre as there would be another session of therapy for the Strokees at 2 in the afternoon. I had a good time there, helping and enjoying myself. I wonder when will my next visit be... I will try my best to keep a couple of days free come March 2009, there's a week's break. Keeping my fingers crossed and praying hard.

Thanks to Ms. N and her colleague, thanks to NASAM Ampang volunteers, Irene, and those whose names I can't recall (sorry ya...) sharing their stories, experience and knowledge about volunteering at NASAM, thanks to Simon, Mr. L and their friends for the wonderful singing session together.

To the Strokees of NASAM Ampang and all the NASAM centres in the country, I pray for your happiness, recovery and good health!

Happy Christmas & Merry New Year 2009!

This is truly one of the most memorable events this year and I am so glad that I can treasure it via blogging and share with you, you and you ^^...