It's Weekend! (Part 2)

The first post was a long long post. Thus I decided to segregate them into two posts. I created the previous post on Wednesday and completed it only on Friday. Oh boy! Tomorrow is weekend. In fact, now is already weekend because now is the mid-night of Friday. Weekend comes and passes. At times, simply hope that everyday is weekend. Then I can have the full day of sleep and rest! But after joining GRA, it seems that everyday I'm able to sleep until late morning. The laziness in me is growing. It shouldn't be that way. I should learn to be hardworking and start to concentrate in my research.

By the way, back to the topic. The post is just to share some of my activities over the weekends.

My favourite chocolate fondue!

 It is an average chocolate fondue. But it is worth for its price as it costs only RM8.50. It is a great release stress option. Having the chocolate fondue in the pressuring and stressful moments are just a simple gift from the angel.

Did I just turned into a polariod photographer? Absolutely no! It was my cousin's polaroid camera. I simply grab it and pose for the sake of fun. It was cute though, with the casing and camera. It was rather an expensive and bulky camera I presume. Still, I prefer to snap shoots with my 'not really smart'-phone for the handy and convenience.

Elise with the camera

The adorable and love polaroid camera

 Melaka town had a just newly opened Western-cuisine restaurant. It is called Kensington. It is a middle-classed franchise Western restaurant.The restaurant originated from Seremban. The restaurant offered large range of Western cuisine and also some Asian food. Generally, the food is fine and charged at a affordable price

The 'thumbs-up' mushroom soup. Everybody's favourite

Chicken lasagne

Two sake bottles for the beer, cheers for the Malaysia Day

Wedding dinner of ex-colleague, what an awesome wedding dinner with lovely couple on the day of full moon, fourteenth of the eighth month! Simply wish happiness and bliss surrounds them

The singing session on Sunday noon.  The greatest moment to relieve tension and stress of the week!

Convocation 2012

We've arrived to the biggest event of the year for a university, which if the 12th convocation! It had been a year since my convocation. Never ever thought that I'll be joining the following convocation. I do not join as graduates but I joined as a crew helping around the convocation neither nor I'm the convocation committee,I'm just helping around the events during convocation such as distributing of items thus it is more like being a general worker then.

This year it is rather special. All the faculties are having a so-called 'tea garden party'. But with limited resources, I doubt graduates are able to enjoy the big party. I heard that this party was abolished since three years ago. Thus during my convocation, such party does not exist.
Both of my cousins will be graduating in this current convocation. A big congratulations to both of them! Simply proud of them. Spectating graduates graduated in their convocation, hopefully that I'm able to graduate within 2 years.

Once again, congratulations to the graduates of 2012.

Brought my cousin a simple gift, hope she would like it. The gift is intentioned to be a decoration item for the new workplace in Singapore. Hope she'll build a successful career.

The blessing gift :)

It's Weekends!

This is a post-weekend post. I should have wrote the post past few weeks. Unfortunately I just couldn't find the time to sort my pictures to finalise the post.

It is Wednesday today! The mid-day of the week. I feel rather frustrated but trying my very best to stay positive and to be cherished. My days recently wasn't really busy but they were melancholic. I'm glad that I still able to maintain my outing level to prevent the gloomy and moody overwhelmed my days. I shouldn't act so negatively. Negative is always not the option that I would opt for.

But still, I enjoyed my weekends. I went to Jonker on one of the Sunday in September. It was a trip to search for painting for my friend's new house. It was a bright sunny Sunday. I woke up as early as 8 a.m. to get an early breakfast in the traditional coffee shop. After the traditional breakfast, I headed to Jonker Street. It was an awesome experience because I walked with my friend from Bunga Raya to Jonker. I guess, that Sunday was the day I walked the most in Melaka. In Melaka, we have the habit of driving from a place to a place even though it is a very short distance. We seldom walked from a place to a place. We have the myth and anxiety of being snatched or kidnapped. Well, this is level of safety in Malaysia. You can easily being snatched or kidnapped while walking by the roadside. Perhaps, I've enlarged the scenario but that's my personal perception as my mum would always remind me of the roadside safety. 

While waiting from another group of friends, I managed to catch some time for praying. I prayed and informed daddy that I've changed my job and pursuing master. I believed he will be relieved and proud of me. Then, there's a Taosim parade by the street. Thus just simply have some shoots of the characters by the road side. They were so cute and adorable. On top of all, they danced 'Oppa gangnam style' the most famous Korean dance right now. I guess the popularity of Korean 'Oppa gangnam style' is almost simliar to the our Chinese Kung Fu in the Western countries. After found 'the wanted' drawing, we went for lunch in an old and famous coffee shop. It was my first time eating there. Since I do not stay in town area, thus I seldom have the chance to eat the traditional and old coffee shops in Melaka town. Further, Melaka town now are congested with tourist during weekends. My friends and I headed to the mall for the quest of convocation preparation. I've graduated last year. My task this year is to be the advisor to shop for convocation. It was a pleasant quest as I've forgotten when is the last time I went shopping and had such a great shopping time. Specially thanks to her that I have the chance to loiter around as it had been long time ago when I'm able to loiter around. The best is always last resort of the day. I had a Thai cuisine as dinner on that Sunday. My mum had longed for Thai food. Finally I'm able to bring for the Thai food

Simply shared some shoots of that fortified Sunday

Uniqueness of life

It is a tiring Friday. I presume that I would have a great weekends either. I do not have any idea what I am busying with but it seems that my proposal has never ended even though I'd started with it almost three weeks ago. Now I know how composer struggle in composing a melody. 

Arghh! Should I classify my current condition as 'stressful life'? or Should I consider myself still very green as I can't adopt the current work pace? or I'm just a person who can't concentrate and complete my things within the time frame allocated.

Pheeww~~This is a stress releasing post. Full of negative thoughts. I should inject tonnes of positive energy in me! Recently I'm exposed to several wall paintings in Penang. I've not been there but the wall paintings are stunning. Just to post several of the wall paintings pictures which touched my heart and simply they can be the source of my writing. The pictures are arranged accordingly to my preference.

Picture of a broken heart. I believed everyone of us experienced heart broken moments. Overcome from the heart broking moments, one will learn and be stronger to face the challenges in life.

A very warmth childhood scene. A sweet memory during childhood simply enlighten the rainy days. To enjoy the simplicity of a child may be the dream of many adults. Playmates in childhood leaves the most memorable memories in us.

Despite the modernisation and hassles in urban, simplicity with little touch of modernisation in the rural area always touched the heart of urban people. Live in a village is always simple and monotonous but people in village are always passionate, kind, warmth and caring which one could hardly feel it in city.

Picture of a kid looking out from the window, wondering her future, doubt on her future or maybe she would just like to have a look at the colourful or bright world outside the window.

The painter is very talented and these drawings touched my heart. Different people should have different perspective when they look at these paintings.This is because they are from different background and encounter different kind of lifestyle. This is what we called as: "Uniqueness of life".

Learn to listen

This is the picture that had been shared thousand of times in facebook. 

It has been long long time that I had not shared some golden thoughts in my blog. I agreed with the saying that from the 100% of message that people delivered it to us, we only listen 50 % of it and understand 25% of the message after filtering, generalisability, egoism and distortion. These factors are common as everyone of us are from different teachings, background, culture, believes and so on which forms our behaviour, habits and personality and these make everyone of us different and unique entity.

In the recent communication that I attended, trainer also mentioned that we could hardly listen to 100% of the message we delivered and we tend to act or respond to the message even the message has fully being delivered. This is a very common mistake. Thus it is suggested that we could listen to each and every message delivered to us attentively and think before we respond and react towards the message. Miscommunication and distortion of message often happen when we do not listen and digest the message delivered which produces the gap and misrepresentation between two parties.

Lesson of the day: Listen more, act less

Graduate Research Assistant (GRA)

I am now a graduate research assistant, GRA for short. I will be based in MMU Melaka Campus. I have a place in the postgraduate room. I will be doing my research over there. It is like 'dream coming true' because I wanted this job badly last year but I did not get it last year. Even though the opportunity comes a little later, but I'm glad that I was given such job opportunity. 

Happily, I went to my workplace on 3 August, setting up my new workplace. When working in corporate, the workplace is nicely being set up, but now I have to set up my own workplace and prepare the stationery by myself. My notebook is finally fit for use. My new Minnie pencil case simply add a little pinkish and vibrant to the dull office and not to miss out my Hello Kitty multi-coloured pen, the mischievous and arrogant cartoon character which is without mouth. 

My GRA work station

   

End of MSIG, Beginning of MMU

I've ended my 11-months of service as an Assistant Executive in MSIG. I remembered, when the first day I joined MSIG I am so determined to outdo myself and keen to be in the industry. Nevertheless I left the industry after 11-months of living in it and might never ever stepped into the industry again. It was rather a precious moments and knowledge I learnt form these 11-months. I should have learn more and have some achievements before leaving the industry. I have not complete the AMII certification. It was a regret. I hope to complete the certification, but I have to put this back because I should not let this certification messed up my studies. I shall complete the AMII certification after I complete my studies, to keep my fingers crossed, hopefully I'm able to complete it.

1 August, I will begin another stage of life which is to be a graduate research assistant (GRA). To be a GRA, I must enroll Master of Philosophy. Hence, I am a GRA and also student of research master. Further, 1 August, I declare myself to be in research industry and no longer in general insurance industry. With this sponsorship, I might not stepped in to corporate world and continue to live in research and education industry. Based on my personality, I'm not suitable to be in corporate world but to be in corporate world and to have a high position in corporate world is always my dream. And now, I should say, dream will always be dream. Dreams are hard to achieved and need tonnes and millions or even billions of courage and effort to make them true.

Thus, I should be determined to complete my master within a year, put back any unhealthy thought and move forward to a new place and environment!

Bangkok shopping spree 2012

It has been a month since I'm back from Bangkok and I hadn't blog for a month!
Oh boy! What had I been doing all these days? Gross, let's just share something happy and enjoyable.

June 24th, the departure day to Bangkok! It was a 4 days 3 nights trip to Bangkok. It is not my first trip to Bangkok and I've been there last year. This trip gives me a feeling of 'return to hometown' because I'm staying the same hotel and went to the exactly same place as my previous trip. It is an indeed comfortable and yet familiar vacation.

I'd return to the stall who sell tasty tomyam kung. The tomyam might not be the most tasty tomyam but the cook should be a humourous and kind person. He enjoyed cooking tomyam very much as he would sing and move along with the music rhythm while cooking. I went to the place where supply cloth and clothes. It is called Pratanum. It is a small area with people depending on cloth for living. Therefore this area slowly evolved to be a clothes wholesale market. Two main spots to spree are Pratanum market and Platinum Mall. There are several wholesale malls around that area but Platinum Mall is the largest mall and it has extended to the third zone from the former two zones. The third zone is another building located right next to the former building and whole-selling clothes, bags and shoes targeted for higher-end.

It was a shopping spree trip thus I do not have much photo shots as I was too obsessed with buying and searching the 'right' clothes for me. After I'm back, I think that it was a waste that I did not manage to grab more shots and clothes. There's area of improvements which I should look into; those are:

1) To outline a plan on what I need to buy
2) To snap more photo on people's lifestyle in that area
3) To observe more and fuss less

I'll definitely return there someday!

Flight to Suvarnabhumi Airport from LCCT

Sweetened pancake with red bean paste filling

In line with the release of Spiderman 3

Main entrance of JJ mall

A noodle shop by the road side

Delicious noodle!

Spices to enlightened the dishes 

My favourite fruit in Thailand!

A beverage to refresh the sunny day

Simply shot while waiting

Mixed-fruit salad!

Another weekend...

It seems that I'm blogging on every Sunday. It seems like I'm concluding every of my week with a blog post. This post will be the story of me for two consecutive weekends.

These two consecutive weekends, I went out shopping with two different group of friends. What a great accomplishment! Recently I'm just too lazy to hang around and socialise with friends. In two consecutive weekends, I'd asked my closest friend for outing. It has been long long time ever since the last time I went shopping. In fact, I seldom shop and most of the time I only do window shopping. If I really were to buy something, I will just enter the shop; grab and go. My only conclusion after two consecutive weeks of shopping is: I'm lethargic! I would prefer a group of friends, find a place and simply hang around rather than window shopping in the tiny mall.  

Tomorrow will be Monday. What a Monday blue! I seldom have the Monday blue in my mind but very obvious that I'm suffering from Monday blue week; maybe due to the uncertainty and ambiguous mind of state. I'm a little lost currently as I can't see a new path of mine. I have already drafted the pathway but my mind don't seem to agree with the path. Keep my fingers crossed, I shall have my mind, soul and body to be in the path that I've already planned. 

Simply share some shoots from 2 consecutive weekends :) 

Basic Communication Training @ Prince Hotel & Residence Kuala Lumpur

It was an A.W.E.S.O.M.E. training and said to be the best training I ever had!

A. Amusement

W. Wholesome

E. Exciting

S. Sophisticated

O. Opportunity

M. Mischievous

E. Elise

Generally my training is about methods of communication and to improvise one's communication skill in workplace. Modules are taught on methods of communication with customers, colleagues, superiors. The methods of communication inclusive of verbal and non-verbal mode. I had used six adjectives to describe my training. These adjectives are used describe my three days two nights training journey in Kuala Lumpur.

On the 23 May, my colleague, Janet and I took a cab and headed to Prince Hotel & Residence. Upon arrival at our destination, it is about 8.00 p.m., then we checked-in.  Our accomodation is allocated in the 18th floor. Then around 9.00 p.m., both of us crossed the busy and hassle traffic of one of the busy street in the heart of Kuala Lumpur and met Janet's friend in Pavilion. Unfortunately, during the journey to Pavilion, my sandals were broken, but luckily, I still manage to walk with it. Therefore, I left my broken sandals in the hotel room without bringing them back to Melaka, it can be considered as a souvenir to Prince Hotel.

My pity, broken sandals

My 3 days 2 nights training expedition begins with amusement as my expedition began with a broken pair of sandals. Then I met and had dinner cum supper with a bunch of amusing people. We had laughter and chatter during the session and I took back a very thing which does not serve any purpose and the thing is junked on my messy table. Its shape like a 1 litre UHT milk packet. 


Here goes the story, we went to Ben's for dinner. On each of every table, there is the thing placed as decorations. The print is about their promotion  on a market operating on weekends. Both of us got very excited on that decoration and Janet asked the waiter if she could have that. The waiter answered, "Yes, you may" thus it ended up belongs to me. I feel bad leaving it in the hotel so I brought it back to Melaka and just placed it in my room.

The gift from Ben's

My dinner cum supper in Ben's

24th of May, my day began with buffet breakfast in the dining area in Prince Hotel & Residence and my basic communication training started. My wholesome breakfast

Lessons of day 1:

• Do not make people's communication problem your problem 

This is the most important and virtue phrase I learnt from the training. Every one has their communication ways and habit. We can never change one's communication style but we can learn to accommodate and tolerate them. It is extremely difficult to accommodate and tolerate with people who have rather bad communication skill especially when their communication style tend to be more agitated, demanding and harsh. Once we met such people, we normally would avoid or run away from them. We might think, 'Why those group of people need to be so harsh and demanding? We are also human being. Can't they talk politely or nicely?' Mind our thought, those group of people are human too, they definitely have their soft side too. Nevertheless, they are too ego to show their soft side. In sum, regardless who we communicate with, we should be brave to overcome the unfavourable communication style. 

• Our mind is ruled by the conscious and subconscious and filtered by ego

The consciousness of our mind is governed by our five major senses and subconscious mind is made up of the nature, upbringing, observation, religion, education, environment and other external factors which shaped us. Filter and ego gauge gap in between conscious and subconscious mind. This mind model is developed by Dr. Thurman Fleet. Hence, different people have different kinds of thoughts and communication style. This lesson is slightly towards psychology theory. Trainer grouped us into four categories of birds which represent four different kinds of people. There are dove, the peace and get along representatives, peacock, the gaining attention group of people, eagle, the task oriented and demanding group of people and lastly owl, the rigid, systematic and sequential group of people. 

We had several role plays and scenario given during the two days' training. After each role plays and scenarios, trainer will explain and share with us on how to handle and solve the problems. The roles plays and scenarios are tailored-made to suit our working environment and those problems are difficult situations that we may deal in our daily working life. 

After lunch, we had our first exciting role play. Trainer as the General Manager, group leader as the Manager and the rest as workers. We are assigned several tasks, for instance, making the largest, most beautiful and strongest aeroplane from polystyrene, building a tallest, most stable tower out of straw, in between, with interruption of e-mail, messages and  meetings from the General Manager and the final task is paper cutting, without any breaking point which is able to fit a human. All these task are need to be down within 45 minutes and it is a competition between groups. 

What a sophisticated mode of training with integration of role plays and interaction between  participants and trainer which enhance the effectiveness of the training progress!

Some shoots from my training activities to share!

 

Lessons of day 2:

We continued our training session with sharing and briefing. Trainer shared many of his previous communication experiences with us, seek our opinions and discussions are made. This training is more about sharing and discussion rather than lecturing and listing mode. During the first day, the training focuses more on verbal and interpersonal communication skill. Training ended with written communication and tele-conversation communication skill. We were trained on e-mail writing and handling tele-conversation in workplace which was our final chapter before we are dismissed.

This training provide me an opportunity to meet new friends, learnt on human psychology which interest me most and provide me a 5 star accommodation. I enjoyed the training while relaxing; dining in fine restaurant, sleeping in luxurious hotel and enjoy the relaxing lifestyle with 5 meals a day. I took plenty of pictures fooling around and things which I encounter during the training. I mischievously play while learning during the 3 days and 2 nights and subsequently, these 5 adjectives fairly and adequately describe the final adjective 'ELISE' as she's undergoing all the 5 adjectives within 3 days.

Summary of 3 days 2 nights training in Kuala Lumpur