Friend is like a Good Bra

I received a forwarded mail from one of my sisters and now I would like to share it to everyone who visits my blog.

Friend is a like a good bra; hard to find, supportive, comfortable, always lifts you up, never lets you down or leaves you hanging and finally, it is close to your heart.

Workaholic

Did not get to update my blog lately due to a lot of works. Well, it is not a bad thing. This shows that my manager is willing to give me more difficult task to do. =)

I was given another client's accounts to audit. It is a hardware shop and, oh my, there are a lot of things to do! Papers all over my table and I am amidst the boxes of files!

Messy table, I know




Files behind me =.=

I am really glad that I got to rest for two days before I start my work.

p/s: Initially I thought of bringing back my workload home. =.=

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, I had an early Christmas celebration in all H&L's staff. We had buffet lunch, exchange gifts, the best present competition and pictures. The theme colours for the day were Red, White and Green.

The celebration


The cake sponsored by the boss




Presents!


The best present for the year 2007


The greens


The whites


The reds


Hii & Lee, Charted Accountants


CPA Passport Trainees




I got a scarf and it is beautiful

Merry Christmas everyone!

It's Christmas Eve. The fact that I could not celebrate Christmas with baby is agonizing. Knowing that baby has to work on Christmas Day broke my heart. It has already been one month. I really miss you a lot.

However, I believe we are able to learn ourselves more in this period of time. No doubt that we have grown a lot ever since we started our own jobs. No fights ever since the last one. How long was it? Hmm.. Too long that I could not remember. The thing that made me proud the most is that we have not been into a single conflict ever since I was back to Kuching.

I know that this journey ain't going to be easy if it is going to be handled by one person. I know that traditionally, guys are the ones who carry more burden in relationships. Sadly, in my opinion, it is not true. It got to be two persons helping each other to make things work. I believe in taking and giving.

You called my dad last week. I was worried but at the same time, glad to know that. You really gave me a surprise when you told me that you thought of calling my dad. Now that you had talked to him and I guess he won't have many questions about you. All that left is him looking forward to see you as he asked you when you will be coming over. Last night, my dad talked about you during the family dinner and gosh, my uncle caught me blushed!

Insight of My Workplace

Been working for 3 weeks already and now, finally, I am going to give you the insight of my workplace.

I have to wake up at 6.00 am every morning and depart by 7.00 am or else there will be a massive jam. (To my dear friends who know me very well, 'Don't worry. I've not been late to work, yet, thanks goodness.') Usually I will reach there by 7.30 am and have my breakfast at the restaurant nearby.

I am my own driver now :)


This, is where I work


This is the car that I drive everyday to work


This is the office (that's my bottle)




My seat!

How come there's nobody in the office? 'Cos I am always there before them. I stay the furthest among all of them.

Dating Tips

Last Sunday, I went to Star Cineplex to watch The WarLords with my brothers, uncle and my mother. As we were queuing up to buy food and drinks, I saw these:

Pretty cool, huh?

Lately..

..I've been doing great. Drive on my own to work. Got a new laptop. Got a new handphone. It just feels so great to get everything I want.

Finally it is the second week of my internship and I'd been a handling a lot of clients' schedules.

Lately, I was given miscellaneous jobs such as tallying the figures with the extended trial balance, doing schedules that had not been done, calling up banks and clients as I had finished my first audit (awaiting confirmations from the other party).

But today, my manager passed me another client for me to audit. Seriously, in audit firm, I've learned a lot of companies' names and most of them are weird! The one that I am doing now is Warna Kelisa Sdn. Bhd. Not only that; I once came across with Warna Kembara! And guess what? It is not selling Kelisas (I ain't sure with the latter one) but beverages such as drinks and beers and cigarettes!

One of my friends in the firm whose friend is working in E&Y told her that she has been photostating lately. I was relieved that I chose to go Hii&Lee instead of E&Y.

Work can really make me forget about studies -- I forgot that the results were out on Monday; I forgot about online subject registration.

I am really thankful that the senior was willing to let us, the trainees, to handle the clients' accounts. Meaning we will be doing the whole audit process. There are still more for me to learn.

Lately, I was quite upset. Something bothered me a lot. I do hope that I am one of their circle of friends. I did not give up on this friendship. I hope they do treasure our friendship.

Next semester will be a challenging one. I hope I will do better this time.

Finally it has been a week since I am with Hii & Lee Chartered Accountants. Also, it has been a week since I learn to do audit.

Honestly, it ain't easy to learn things that you had never experienced in studies. I was grateful that the senior accountants handed over a client's case to me and Lydia (another trainee who is also under CPA Passport). We faced a lot of problems. Fortunately, Hii & Lee has nice and helpful colleagues. All of them are more than willing to help us. We always have fun during lunch.

On Christmas Eve, all of us will exchange gifts. This has always been a practice in Hii & Lee. All we have to do is to write our name on a piece of paper. You can even write what you want ie. description, location, colour, etc. etc. The only requirement is that the minimum price for the gift must be RM 25. Then, there's draw lot to see whom you shall give the gift to.

Before that, there is still one more thing that I am worried about. From next week onwards, I have to drive to work on my work and everyday, I have to stuck in the traffic jam after work for one hour before I reach home. Sighh..

First day of Internship

Today is the first day of my internship. Mixed emotions, of course. Woke up 5.30am and departed at 6.40am. Reached there around 7.00am and yes, I was too early. No sight of any customer at the restaurant nearby, my mother and I went to another shop to have breakfast.

The world is really small. My friend's sister is there for internship, also under CPA Passport! She purposely came back from Perth to do internship in Malaysia. During the briefing, I got to know that the accounting firm that I am now working in is the largest local accounting firm.

Unfortunately, my senior was on leave. She just gave birth. But still, the colleagues are very helpful. They asked me to have lunch with them and yeah, we got to talk. All of them work there not until 1 year. The most is 9 months and the least is 2 months.

Seriously, there are a lot of things that I will need to learn though it gave me a headache to digest everything. I admit that I cannot handle stress very well but so far, I am doing good.

p/s: I was given stationery in the firm. That is not the main point as the main point is I was told that each of us owns 2 toilet rolls! XD

I have a goal. However, obviously, I have a great obstacle. My father.

I am his one and only daughter, I know. Though he does not seem to appear loving and caring but deep inside him, he really cares. He is not the type of person to step down his status as a father and be nice to his children like friends. But, whenever I was down, he would give me a call, hoping I was alright. Whenever I was sick, he would do whatever he can even though my mother had to be sent over.

Being the one and only daughter is both a good and a bad thing. I want to reach higher than my current state. However, I do not have the power to fight my will.

Nonetheless, I won't stop here. Someday, I know, I will achieve my goal.

But I will not forget that I am always my daddy's girl.

Happy 7th Month

ah bi, happy 7th month..

Even though we can only talk for 1 hour everyday, I am very happy. I understand that both of us will be very busy with our jobs; I got only one job to handle but you got two. I really wish I could be there to give you massages, hugs and kisses.

To be honest, I am not devastated with the fact that we got separated because at least we have our own spaces and that we can have different stories to talk about. Besides that, I am able to learn to be independent. See, I managed to turn them off and I believe they will not contact me anymore.

Two months, two weeks and two days till we meet again. I believe two months will pass faster than we know. Plus, we have already made a promise that we will make these obstacles rewarding at the end of the day.

I will not stop missing you.

i really miss you..

I bit my lips twice on the same spot, on the same day but different timing. =.="

First day of work is coming. yikes!

Working time: 8.00am - 5.00pm (gotta wake up at 6.00am!)

Wages: RM500 (better than RM300, offered by E&Y)

I left my calculator in Subang. Will that be a problem during my internship? o.O

I will NOT drive to work on my own at the moment. There will be someone watching over me and will drive the car back. Why? Firstly, my driving skill is not stable. Secondly, I am not familiar with Kuching.

I wish I could be there on the day after tomorrow.

Hugs and kisses -- i miss them.

What Bananas Can Do

ATTENTION: Never put bananas in the refrigerator.

Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.

Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.

But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet:

Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND, amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood. (forget chocolates too!)

Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school ( England ) were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert. (good news for all of us! yay!)

Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey.. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system. (looks like I should eat bananas before going on stage)

Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a 'cooling' fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

Smoking & Tobacco Use: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal. (good for you, baby)

Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Strokes: According to research in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around, so maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, 'A banana a day keeps the doctor away!'

My flight was supposed to depart at 8.40pm but due to unforeseen circumstances, it was delayed to 10.00pm.

I was supposed to call my mom when I was in the Immigration Center. Unfortunately, my phone battery died out earlier than I thought (I offed my phone in KL, hoping that I could use it when I reached Kuching). That's great. The only solution was to use the public phone. OMG! It has been ages since the last time I used public phone. After getting changes (I did not have coins, great), I called up my mom to pick me up.

It was around 12.15am when I reached home.

Missing you so much over here...

Few hours left before I leave to Kuching. Won't be able to see the boyfriend for 2 months and 3 weeks. I'm very sure I'll be missing him a lot.

Goes to Yee Yen too. For the past few semesters, we have always been studying together. Won't be able to see her for around 7 months. I will do what I can do attend your farewell gathering (if there is) so, just let me know, alright?

Malacca Trip 2007

First Day in Malacca

Went to Malacca last Friday with baby. Departed at 12.25pm and reached around 2.00pm. Met up with Jason (our tour guide) at Melaka Mall.

The driver:

The passenger:


The companions:

He led us to our hotel. I believe even you cannot tell that this is actually a hotel. It costed us RM100 for two nights and the room was big. There were two beds; Queen-sized and Single-sized beds.

Hotel

Later, we set off to historical places.

Recent discovery










A police car


Newly-wed Malay couple


A famous man (don't remember his name) whose body was then sent back to his homeland

On our way back to our car, we were walking past a police station. There were horses inside and we asked permission before we approached the horse. I think the horse liked my perfume 'cos it moved nearer to me when I went to take photos with it twice!

Jason took us to the beach. It was a nice, windy, sandy beach.

After we took our break, we had our dinner at Restoran Capitol Satay. For me, it was quite spicy. RM0.60 a stick. Cheap, right?

Biggest, big, smallest (each cost RM0.60 ONLY)

Guess who ate the most?

34 sticks


23 sticks


19 sticks

We were so full that we decided to take a walk at Jonker Walk. There were a lot of people. We were lucky enough to watch a performance by a guy who had a Malaysia World Book Record; a man who broke a coconut with a finger. *omg* Let me tell you, watching him doing it made you feel the pain too!

Second Day in Malacca

We went to have lunch at Nasi Ayam Hoe Kee. This restaurant is very famous and it was up in Astro AEC with a famous host.

One of the famous AEC Astro's host

We were so full that we went to take a walk at the morning Jonker Walk and we had chendol. Jason recommended us Durian Chendol. It was nice! Later, we had satays. Usually, the Malays are the ones who made satay but these satays are made by Chinese!

Saw this poor little bird

Durian chendol




One of the shop's antiques collections


Satays

We planned to visit a ship museum but unfortunately, it was construction and so, it was closed. Therefore, we went to another museum before we went back to hotel to take a nap. There are a lot of museums in Malacca. =.=

The ship museum

Inside of the another museum:

Next destination: Gelek
To be honest, this place is the best, for me. I love the food there!! It was also up in Astro AEC with the famous host aforementioned! I ate around (or maybe more than) 5 plates of si ham!

Before:




After:

We were so full that we took a walk at Jonker Walk again before Jason took us for desserts.

There is a bar behind (full with foreigners O.o)

We had our desserts at Amo Te before the end of the second day.

The moon shone so bright in the sky

Last Day in Malacca

Jason took us to this famous restaurant that sells beef noodles.

Before we left Malacca, we went to meet up with The Koks and his mother's siblings and visited Jason's house.

Supposingly this trip consisted of 3 couples but due to unforeseen circumstances, it only left the 3 of us. However, we won't stop here. There are still plans ahead and I am really looking forward to it; Malacca (again but with more people), Penang and Redang Island.