It's been long. But I'll spill how all my interviews went.
17/01/07 - 2nd Experience
Company - Regal ******
Time - 10.30am-12.00pm (stated time)
Tension! Tension! I checked Jobstreet again, and it says about 800++ candidates are up to the interview in this company. Tension!
I arrived at 10.20am at MWE Plaza where their office is situated. The Malay receptionist girls were nice as they handed me the interview forms. It is more simplified than Jobsdb's. Only 2 pages long compared to the previous 5 pages! I took it to the sitting area and before plomping myself to the chair, I saw there's already 2 Malay candidates present. I looked over to my right, there are 2 person in the middle of the office, one Malay woman, and another Malay teenager. I think the woman is trying to teach the youngster some basic business English, but that youngster kept replying in Malay that it ticked her temper off. Poor woman. As I was thinking of what to fill in the form, suddenly I notice the loud-thumping music in my ear-drums. No wonder that youngster couldn't pay any attention. The whole office was flooded with Black Eyed Pea's Pump It, and later continued with some other bass-thumping pop songs. It would be a nuisance to be working with these kind of music. Not that I don't like the music, but this rhythm is only suitable when you're having fun or clubbing. I love the DJs putting on these musics when I'm out clubbing. It gives the grooves. But in the office? It's so much of a no-no.
I waited for half an hour. Still no sign of asking any 3 of us to go into the interview room. 11.05am, another Malay guy walked in. Another candidate. He seems like quite a challenge to me. But anyway, we'll see. 11.15am, another candidate walked in, another Malay guy. He seems weak, as in weak in speaking.
11.25am, one of the receptionist girls called out the first four names to go into the interview room. A group interview, I guess. The interviewer introduced to us as "Hello, I am Hisham. You can call me Sham. Baru glamour sikit." Yucks! Then we were interrupted by the last guy to be inserted among us. So, 5 against 1. So we did our little interviewing sessions. After 20minutes, he said, "Ok people, I will call some of you guys again if you're through into the second interview. It will be held today at 2pm, same place."
So, I should hang out at the island until 2pm. I have 2 more hours to kill. What am I suppose to do? There's no coffee shops nearby. No shopping complexes to hang out. Needing a company, I called up NeohKor, crossing my fingers that he would be free for lunch. Lucky me, he suggested to eat somewhere near Sunshine Square. At least, it's somewhere I know how to drive to. I still need more practice on the roads of Penang Island. It'll be a drive from the north to the south. Dad called during me munching on my beehoon. I told him about my progress and I'm still waiting on the call. He told me don't waste time on the company anymore, it's a typical Malay company where people other than their race will have a hard time to get promoted. Now, no wonder I don't see any other candidates of other races. Not even an Indian in the office, and I am the only Chinese this morning.
Right after my lunch, the company did call me to go to the second interview. But I blew them off by saying I need to go back to mainland for some urgent business. But they say that they will arrange another time for me. Well, I accept their kindness when my heart actually says "Don't bother!"
24/01/07 - 3rd Experience
Company - Tek Seng
Time - 3pm
I was chatting happily in the morning when at about 11.45pm, I received a phone call from TekSeng to go for an interview at 3pm on the very day! Excitedly, I agreed. I started planning 2 hours to do company research, 1 hour get myself prepared and drive myself. I reached there 15 minutes earlier. The real building looks different from the photos I saw online. The website photos looks more welcoming, whereas the real building looks so uninviting. The whole factory was painted with dark green. Ughh... They kept me waiting for another 15 minutes while preparing to get the interviewing ready.
One lady and another man went into the room first. The woman looked like a secretary to the man whom I suspect is a Manager of some departments. When they invited me inside the room, they started shooting at me some introductory questions without even introducing themselves. Ok, this minor managerial mistakes, I can dismiss. "Oh, you're a fresh grad failing this this & this." "Oh, it might be she lacks of practice. Look at her SPM results, it's ok" speaks the Lady in Hokkien. Well, thanks Lady. "Ms. Tan, please answer this questions. It consists of Math & English test." English test?? Both of them are not even speaking in a proper English and the English questions are full of grammar mistakes, and the still want to test my English. Oh Gawd, Bless this company. I tried my best to answer the Math questions which includes a little bit of shipping and container problems. Suddenly, another middle-aged men just burst into the room and just sat down beside me! How rude!
"Hami? Interview ar? Ho boh?" (pause) "Kua ee application." (pause) "Oh.. tak ang moh chek!"
Translation: "What is this? Interviewing? It she ok?" (pause) "Let me look at her application." (pause) Oh.. she's English educated."
Then he continued some gossips with the both of them in Hokkien, as if I don't understand them, while I struggled with my calculations. Stupid man!
After I handed my answers, they continue to ask more questions on what subjects have I learned from my major. I told them about International Business, International Law, etc. They were interested in International Law and asked me a few simple ones.. I managed to answer it but when they go deeper, I could not remember anything. I did not study from my textbook before going for the interview. Even though if given the time, I would not have enough time to memorize what they wanted. Actually, I did not expect them to ask any questions regarding anything from my textbooks. I thought I can pass well in this interview too. But I failed myself. Before they ended the interview, they asked me to write my expected salary. I wrote 1.5k. The lady said, "I admire your braveness to write such a high salary with so little "experience" of yours." What she meant was my inability to answer those previous questions that was pointed to me. "But I would like to remind you with the "experience of yours", don't you think 1.5k is a little bit too high?" I was like, huh?? But I just smiled politely to her, comforting my anger towards the company and add another word "negotiable" at the side. Don't they know the market price? It's ranged from 1.6-1.8k for management fresh grads! I think I have already sacrificed RM100 when I wrote 1.5k! I got myself out of the company as fast as I could because I couldn't stand their attitude anymore!
When I reached my car, I drove myself out of their ugly greenish compound, and I exploded! I couldn't call Sweet. Their company do not allow them to speak on the phone. I dialed Oliver's number and bombarded to him. Oliver is being kind, listening to my frustrations patiently for nearly half an hour! Thanx Ollie!
I drive and drive not having any planned destination, and I ended up in AutoCity. I went to Secret Recipe at first, but the air-cond was spoilt, so I went to Sega-Fredo, just across the street. I told the waitress that I wanted a place with full-blast of air-cond. The waitress was friendly and she did looked familiar. I told her that, and she said that I looked familiar too. After taking my orders I talked to Clariss for a while and found out that she was actually my highschool junior.. of 5 years! I graduated from CBM in 2001 while hers is 2006. But I found out that her elder sister is one of my younger sisters' classmate. What a coincidence.
We chatted for a while when her boss is not looking, talking about my interview frustrations and her after-form5-where-to-go frustrations. I was a bit off-time when I realized I was late for my badminton game! I paid my bills and rushed back home to change. While driving, I called Oliver again, just needing some company while I was driving back. After a 10 minutes change, I rushed to Permatang Tinggi to throw off my anger at the game. It helped a lot! Hahaha...
27/01/07 - 4th Experience
Company - Metrojaya
Time - 3pm
This time, I was out in the dry market shopping happily with my Mom. At about 11.15am, I receive a call from Metrojaya asking to schedule an interview at 3pm on the day itself. Seeing I have nothing to do, I agreed. Dad offered to drive me over to Island Plaza at 1.45pm for the interview. For this company, I've learned my lesson from my previous interview. I tried learning most retail phrases in a short time.
At 1.40pm, they called again to change the venue to Gurney Plaza, but I still need to go to Island to pick up my documents. We were out of my house 1 hour & 15 minutes earlier, and yet we were still stuck in the traffic jam for 1 hour & 30 minutes! I was late for the interview for 15 minutes!!! I really don't expect the traffic to be so time-taking, and I actually don't expect any traffic congestions at all! Anyway, when the girl handed to me my documents in Island, she did say, "Good luck, the GM from HQ is going to interview. Look for Mr.J***** when you're in East India Company (EIC) at Gurney." I just managed a weak meak OK and TQ to the girl.
Dad drops me at the entrance of Gurney first before seeking for parking lots so that I wouldn't be too late. I went into EIC first, but apperently he was not there. Then I went to Somerset Bay. He was not there as well. One of the workers offered to call him for me. They then told me to wait in a small office at the back of the EIC. After 15 minutes, he came.
Mr. J: Hello, good afternoon. And how are you?
Me: You know how people rush into things and put 3 main points into one sentence. The afternoon has been very pleasant. I smiled.
Mr. J: I didn't know they have a new applicant. I just got to know it when I was at Island Plaza. So, you are the girl.
Me: I guess so. Here are the forms that they told me to pass it to you. I smiled again.
Mr. J: Oh yeah. Thanks. So, tell me more about yourself. Your employment histories, your passion, and your hobbies.
Me: Another 3 questions in one sentence. Smiled sweetly. I blah-ed about my employment histories, which is Na-Dah. Skipped the passion thingy, hoping he won't notice. And my hobbies are reading and playing badminton.
Mr. J: I see... Then do you like shopping?
Me: Sure! I mean, which girl wouldn't?
Mr. J: Right. So, (here comes the hard part) do you know anything about retail?
Me: Retail? Which aspect do you want me to explain?
Mr. J: Anything. Just anything you know about retailing.
Me: In between pauses, I spilled. Erm... retail in Bahasa Malaysia is called "runcit", which comes in last in the production line from the manufacturer to the end-user. It starts off with wholesaler, retailer, then, an end-user.
Mr. J: How do you know there is a vacancy in Metrojaya? Through an insider?
Me: What kind of a question is that? Did he meant something else fishy? No. My good friend accompanied her friend to the interview here when she saw the posts offered. She suggested for me to try it out too.
Mr. J: Ok. Well, do you have a passion for shopping? Another weird question.
Me: Huh?? Well yeah. I do. But I can't really allow it to flow in just yet.
Mr. J: Why not?
Me: Because if I were to really let my passion flow in, my purse would be flat in a minute. I mean, I love shopping. But I couldn't really shop now with my flat purse. I haven't even start working yet. So to answer your question, I prefer to put it this way: I have a passion for WINDOW SHOPPING.
Mr. J: Hahaha... That's good enough. So, tell me what else do you know about our company?
Me: I did do a research on your company beforehand. I just told him everything I know.
Mr. J: Good. But there is some points you missed out. Actually.... blah blah blah... he's correcting me and filling up the blanks that I've missed. So do you understand about our company now?
Me: Crystal clear!
Mr. J: So, do you have anything to ask me?
Me: Yes. So am I hired?
Mr. J: *Laughs* What makes you think you're good enough? Do you know, that working in the retail line will be very stressful. It's a time-eater. You won't be able to have holidays the way normal people do. You have to work in public holidays, and even weekends. Like me, it's a Saturday today, and I'm still working in my casual wear. You have to learn the computer system that we're using. You have to check the stocks whether they are sufficient enough. You have to have a sense of fashion. You have to meet customer demands. And your pay would be low. Do you think this job is easy?
Me: Smile sweetly again. Well, Mr. J, I come here is to get an experience. And also, before I come to this interview, I have already predicted all the opportunity costs that I am going to make. Sweet smile.
Mr. J: Do you know that previously I've hired 8 UTAR students, and 4 of them resigned just because they can't stand the long hours. 2 of them even threatened me to give them a raise.
Me: So did you give them?
Mr. J: Do you think I care? They received an offer which is only an increment of RM100-200. Do you think that reasonable people would switch jobs with that small amount?
Me: Uhh.. No. Only a hundred ringgit won't be able to cover much.
Mr. J: Exactly! I just let them leave. Obviously they're just finding a stupid reason to leave. I let them go as they wished. Now the 5th person is coming up to leave. She didn't ask any increment from me. So tell me now, do you think you can stand the working hours and be better than them?
Me: Sure. I am a fighter. I can work independently. I am a people person. And I am a responsible person too!
Mr. J: Ms. Tan, a lot of people who needed a job can say that. I've heard tons of it before. Look, I've conducted plenty of interviews before. So what makes me to believe you?
Me: Looking serious rather than smiling now. I know whatever that I say myself am won't work on you anymore. But if only you give me some time, say about 2 years, I will prove myself to you that what I said about myself is true and much more good traits. Honestly, I really did do your company research and also since it is a retail company in a shopping mall, it is ALREADY EXPECTED for me to work during the weekends, and more during public holidays. The pay may not matter much as well as the stress, because what I am looking for now is EXPERIENCE. This precious thing couldn't be bought by any financial terms. After the given 2 years then, you can re-evaluate.
Mr. J: Before you join our company, we need you to do a medical check up at our panel clinic. You can choose to go either to Pulau Tikus or Tanjung Bungah. Anymore questions to ask me?
Me: Quite happy with the response. Well... err.. just out of curiosity... how much is the pay?
Mr. J: Oh, not much. The fix range is about 1.4-1.7k. Usually the 1.7k is offered to applicants with a first-class honours degree. So you can expect at least a 1.4k then.
Me: I see...
Mr. J: Anymore questions?
Me: Not at the moment. My mind went blank actually. I know I still have a lot to ask, but I just couldn't remember what it was...
Mr. J: Well, that's it then. *Scribbling something on my resume and applicant form* Do you know that you're so lucky that I am here to interview you? Not that I am anything, but at least I know who you are since I am the GM. If you're interviewed by the Branch Manager, then I may not know what type of person you are. I AM the second-one in line of the company. If anything falls upon the "big head" of this company, I am the one taking over to lead.
Me: Glad to know you then, Mr. J.
Mr. J: Well, another lucky thing for you. I'm going back to KL tomorrow, so your applicant form and resume will be at the HR desk tomorrow. I will personally see your process. The whole procedure will take about 2-3 weeks.
Me: Meaning when can I start work? I can start at anytime. My time still flexible.
Mr. J: *Still scribbling* Well, let's see. 2-3 weeks, CNY hols in the middle... Why don't you start on the 1st of March? That way, you can relax and enjoy your CNY hols before starting to work. You won't have time, once you start working, you know. And oh, you're living in Bukit Mertajam right? Aren't you worried about the bridge?
Me: I've already included it in my opportunity cost.
Mr. J: I see. Good. Well then, I will placed you in Queensbay Mall's Reject Shop. You do know how to go to Queensbay, right?
Me: Yeah..
Mr. J: Then when we're opening in Sunway Carnival in Seberang Jaya, maybe if you want, I can transfer you over there. Or maybe when the new Jusco behind MPSP is built, you might be able to go there too... if you want.
Me: Thank you.
Mr. J: *Stops scribbling and looked at me now* Do you have other questions to ask me?
Me: I: can't think of any now.
Mr. J: OK, then it's finished. You may go now. Have a pleasant day!
*We shook our hands. I gave him a firm handshake.*
Me: Thanks. You too. Hope to work under you soon. See yah!
And then, on the way home, I remember what I forgot to ask:
1) Job scope
2) Working hours
3) Leave
4) Any increment after confirmation?
5) Etc. etc. etc.
I am completely such a blur-head!
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Bad Hair Day
15/01/2007
It will not be a bad day. It will not be a bad day. It will not be a bad day. It will not be a bad day. It will not be a bad day. It will not be a bad day..............
It will not be... ZELCH!!!
Oh. Shit!
I think I've just got my hair winded up in the fan of the hairdryer. And I've just burned my hair in the hairdryer. I think I smell something burning. My poor hair...
I looked into the mirror again while stroking my hair with my fingers.
My poor hair.. my poor- OH MY F7-letters GOSH!!!
That stupiG hairdryer fan cut off my hair in the midrange. I looked in the mirror, I taw I taw a puddy tat, I mimicked. My hair looks just like Tweety Bird's! A bunch of hair stood out in the middle of nowhere, half cut!
I tried to think of what to do. What do people always do when they have a bad hair day?? I can call my Mom, I think. Then again,
1) I spoilt her hairdryer with my hair
2) Her hairdryer will smell of my burnt hair
3) Why the hell I use her hairdryer in the first place?!
Darn! Damn Darn! I purposely woke up quite early, do a little revision on Jobstreet, just trying not to be late for everything. And this happened! Think, Z, think!
I went back to my room, took a scissors, and cut off the little kinky shabby streak of hair. I put lots and lots of hair serum and leave-on conditioner on the area, combing and managing it so that the half dwindled hair would not show up. I kept my fingers crossed the whole way to KL in the bus.
Upon reaching, I did SMS my 2 Bratty Sisters. They offered to accompany me to my interview as I am not so sure about the roads over there. My, my, they did touched my heart a bit. So at the moment, I'll be calling them my 2 Angelic Sisters, for the time being. I made a mental promise to myself to accompany my 2 little sisters to their first interview too after their graduation. But the previous night, I did called up TianHao asking him whether did he know where Wisma UOA II was. As usual, he did not disappoint me with the directions. In fact, he gave me an excellent bearings!
---> Arrived at Pudu Terminal, walk over to Plaza Rakyat. Take a Star LRT to Hang Tuah, next to Berjaya Times Square, get down and transmute to Monorail and stopped at Raja Chulan. Get you get off the station, cross the road towards Wisma Genting, walk a short walk on the right side of the building for a few meters, turn left, and you'll see Wisma Cosway behind it. Then turn right after Wisma Cosway, and Wisma UOA 2 is just sandwiched between Novotel and KLCC. <---
We walked into the building at about 4.30pm. I'm still early for my interview. We looked around the building and try to make sure that Jobstreet is at Level 29 of the said address. WE looked and looked, but we couldn't find the name of Jobstreet! My sisters beginning to ask me whether did I get the wrong address? I hope so not and I asked my sisters to look for all the companies at Level 29... and we found... JobsDB... J.O.B.S.D.B!!
Holy shit! JobsDB.com!!!
No wonder we couldn't find any Jobstreets in the list. I am not suppose to be interviewed by Jobstreet, but it's actually JobsDB! Oh my.. I panicked! Left half an hour to go.. How am I suppose to do my company research in such a short time? And with no internet!! There isn't an internet cafe anywhere nearby! I quickly dialled for my Mom asking her to search about JobsDB for me, and have her to call me back later. But 'later' is what I can't wait. I called Oliver next. I know he'll be sitting right in front of his company's PC ranting on his boredom, so I'm gonna give him something "challenging & exciting" things to do! (Hehe, sorry to break your secret out Ollie) Oliver is a good help, he surfed all the relevant information to me, even read over the phone. I scribbled in my notebook as quick as possible while sinking in all the "important" and about-to-be-questioned questions. 10 more minutes to go. I thanked Oliver and head up to Level 29. It feels like the lift is going downwards instead of upwards, you know.
And by the time I realised, I was already inside their office, at the receptionist counter filling up some forms. All their workers walked pass by. All so young. About my age. I haven't seen any of their staffs over the age of 30! Except the receptionist of a Makcik at the age of 40, but with excellent English. I mean, she dresses like a Makcik when all other of her colleagues we dressed modernly. But think twice when u hear her speak her English. Not bad at all. While I was filling up the application form which is 5 pages long (darn it!), asking each and every questions in details, my Mom called me to report what she had found out about the company. I listened to her while writing. I'm so much of a multitasker! Hahaha... She called Mr. Mickson for me, and he said 5 minutes. Waiting... waiting... 10minutes... waiting... 15 minutes. I stood and the Makcik saw me, she smiled to me and nodded me a "wait-for-a-moment". I sit back. I heard her saying on the phone, "Mickson, she's already waiting for like 20 minutes when you said 5 minutes! (Pause nod nod pause nod) OK, I'll bring her in now." To me, "Come, follow me dear." Wow, she called me 'dear'.. Aww.. I'm beginning to like that sweet Makcik.
My first interview starts with an introductory of myself, and my past-working histories, how do I get to know JobsDB, why did I apply for the job, who is their competitors? I thanked Mom to provide me the information that this company is actually Hong Kong based and it's a leading recruitment agency in Singapore, Hong Kong, Philippines, and other Asia Pacific countries, but not in Malaysia. Now who would have know that? Most people only knows about Jobstreet. And finally, the great news was..
Mickson: Now tell me, Joleen (I called him to call me that, my real name is too Chinese-y), if you were selected to work here, are you willing to work in KL?
Me: Yes. I do not come here all the way from Penang on a short notice if I weren't serious. (I was bullshitting actually, but I wasn't going to blow up my opportunity here.)
Mickson: Then I will not go around the bush. I am a straightforward person. And I prefer my sub-ordinates to be one too...
Me: (Hell, cut the bullshit!) ............. uh-huh.............. (smiling sweetly)
Mickson: I am offering you a job here. I'm giving you a basic salary of 1.5k
Me: .............. (I think my face just drooped. Or was it my lips? Or my mouth?)
Mickson: BUT we will be giving you a commission, and there will be an increment in salary after your probation. Is that good enough?
Me: Well, Mr. Mickson.. I don't know what to say. I'm still stunned (Hell, I am stunned. Aren't the market price for KL level ranged from 1.6-1.8k??)
Mickson: From your resume, I can see that you don't have enough experience. (Is he a mind-reader? A psychic power, perhaps?) In fact, you don't have any formal experience at all!
Me: (The sharp knife felt painful) ......... Well, when I am in your company, formally, I will have the "formal" experience that you said.
Mickson: Right. So when can you give me your answer?
Me: Well... for starters I have to inform my Dad-
Mickson: How many days you need?
Me: Can you give me about 1 week?
Mickson: Too long. (Scribble scribble something at my resume)
Me: 5 days then.
Mickson: Too lo-
Me: 3 days!
Mickson: (He looked bored with the bargaining, I think) I'll tell you what. I'll give you 3 days.. and you give me your answer on the 17th.
Me: (Hell Hell Hell!!! Stupid Mickson, today's already the 15th evening. 17th is just 2 days away, not 3!!!) Ok, Mr.Mickson.
Mickson: Ok, do you have any other questions for me?
Me: Yes, about staffs...
Mickson: Oh, about them. We have... blah.. blah... blah... Are you clear?
Me: Crystal! Oh and one more thing, do you have any idea where is the nearest apartments or room-to-rents that you know?
Mickson: There is. Nearby KLCC too. But it's quite an high-end area. (You just offered me only 1.5k, you think I can afford that?? Damn you!) Don't worry, most of the staff here are also renting rooms at other places, they travel by LRT to work everyday, you know.
Me: (Keep smiling, Z, show happiness of being offered a job) Yeah.. I know. I mean, Oh, I SEE. I noticed too, that most of your staff here are so young!
Mickson: Oh ya, they're like about your age. Mostly fresh graduates like you too. Average of their age is in the early twenties. Then oldest is only 25-26 yrs. And we have about 90% female staff in my department! (All smiles up from him... yucks!) There's another new male staff, he's quite new too. Been here for about 2 months only!
Me: Wow, he must be the thorn among the roses (I was trying to be sarcastic, but I think it didn't work)
Mickson: Hahaha... So, I hope to hear good news from you, Joleen. (Handshake.. handshake..)
Me: Sure, me too. (Handshake... handshake...)
I whooped straight out of their office and into Berjaya Times Square for dinner with my Lovely Sisters along, asking my impatiently, how was it? I told them the good news, and they are happy for me. My Cute Sisters was so happy that they even urged me to call our parents to tell them the good news on the spot! I'm so proud to have my Supportive Sisters!!! "Muax! Muax!" to both of you! Later I have to go back to Pudu Terminal to get my butt back on the bus, back to Penang.
When good things must come to an end.
The bus to Butterworth I am suppose to take at 8.35pm was late. Very late. I was there at 8.20pm, and it was 9.10pm the bus haven't arrive. I asked around, and one Chinese lady told me that the bus had already gone! I was like WHAT??!! I didn't even hear they were calling and I was there for more than half an hour already. I went back to the bus counter to demand an explanation.
The reply from them was like an ignorance and non-chalant, "Bas tersangkut lah! You tunggu sebentar lah!!"
I showed my angry, oily, tired face to them, "I sudah tunggu lebih dari setengah jam. Masuk 1 jam dah nih, You nak suruh I tunggu lagi? Yang nih ada bas ke tidak? Atau you orang nak tipu kot!"
Then, "Tak Kak... Tak tipu... Bas kena accident tadi... Masa on the way ke KL."
Put on a better sarcastic feature, "Lar.. cakaplah awal-awal. Macam nih susah kah? Kalau bas rosak, cakaplah bas rosak. Tak payah semua customer you duk tunggu kat bawah susah-susah. You orang kat sini ada air-cond. Kita kat bawah kena hidu gas busuk pulak!"
"Sorry ye Kak... Maih, I tulis bas ganti kat tiket Kak, ok?"
Handing the ticket to them, "Nah, tulislah. Baik jangan duk bas rosak lagi! Harap bas tu betul-betul datang. Kalau tidak..."
"Sorry ye Kak.. Memang kami sorry. Sekejap lagi bas akan datang. Bas kami banyak."
"Kalau memang banyak, tak payahlah I duk tunggu 1 jam kat bawah tanpa notis" With that, I walked away, feeling oh-so-satisfied!
The bus did come after 10.15pm and took off from KL at 10.30pm. I reached home at about 3am dawn! I have an interview at 10.30am the day after, and I am suppose to wake up at 8am & drive out at 9am, to avoid the traffic jams in Georgetown!
Hope I can make it!!!
But... YAAAAWN~~~!
It will not be a bad day. It will not be a bad day. It will not be a bad day. It will not be a bad day. It will not be a bad day. It will not be a bad day..............
It will not be... ZELCH!!!
Oh. Shit!
I think I've just got my hair winded up in the fan of the hairdryer. And I've just burned my hair in the hairdryer. I think I smell something burning. My poor hair...
I looked into the mirror again while stroking my hair with my fingers.
My poor hair.. my poor- OH MY F7-letters GOSH!!!
That stupiG hairdryer fan cut off my hair in the midrange. I looked in the mirror, I taw I taw a puddy tat, I mimicked. My hair looks just like Tweety Bird's! A bunch of hair stood out in the middle of nowhere, half cut!
I tried to think of what to do. What do people always do when they have a bad hair day?? I can call my Mom, I think. Then again,
1) I spoilt her hairdryer with my hair
2) Her hairdryer will smell of my burnt hair
3) Why the hell I use her hairdryer in the first place?!
Darn! Damn Darn! I purposely woke up quite early, do a little revision on Jobstreet, just trying not to be late for everything. And this happened! Think, Z, think!
I went back to my room, took a scissors, and cut off the little kinky shabby streak of hair. I put lots and lots of hair serum and leave-on conditioner on the area, combing and managing it so that the half dwindled hair would not show up. I kept my fingers crossed the whole way to KL in the bus.
Upon reaching, I did SMS my 2 Bratty Sisters. They offered to accompany me to my interview as I am not so sure about the roads over there. My, my, they did touched my heart a bit. So at the moment, I'll be calling them my 2 Angelic Sisters, for the time being. I made a mental promise to myself to accompany my 2 little sisters to their first interview too after their graduation. But the previous night, I did called up TianHao asking him whether did he know where Wisma UOA II was. As usual, he did not disappoint me with the directions. In fact, he gave me an excellent bearings!
---> Arrived at Pudu Terminal, walk over to Plaza Rakyat. Take a Star LRT to Hang Tuah, next to Berjaya Times Square, get down and transmute to Monorail and stopped at Raja Chulan. Get you get off the station, cross the road towards Wisma Genting, walk a short walk on the right side of the building for a few meters, turn left, and you'll see Wisma Cosway behind it. Then turn right after Wisma Cosway, and Wisma UOA 2 is just sandwiched between Novotel and KLCC. <---
We walked into the building at about 4.30pm. I'm still early for my interview. We looked around the building and try to make sure that Jobstreet is at Level 29 of the said address. WE looked and looked, but we couldn't find the name of Jobstreet! My sisters beginning to ask me whether did I get the wrong address? I hope so not and I asked my sisters to look for all the companies at Level 29... and we found... JobsDB... J.O.B.S.D.B!!
Holy shit! JobsDB.com!!!
No wonder we couldn't find any Jobstreets in the list. I am not suppose to be interviewed by Jobstreet, but it's actually JobsDB! Oh my.. I panicked! Left half an hour to go.. How am I suppose to do my company research in such a short time? And with no internet!! There isn't an internet cafe anywhere nearby! I quickly dialled for my Mom asking her to search about JobsDB for me, and have her to call me back later. But 'later' is what I can't wait. I called Oliver next. I know he'll be sitting right in front of his company's PC ranting on his boredom, so I'm gonna give him something "challenging & exciting" things to do! (Hehe, sorry to break your secret out Ollie) Oliver is a good help, he surfed all the relevant information to me, even read over the phone. I scribbled in my notebook as quick as possible while sinking in all the "important" and about-to-be-questioned questions. 10 more minutes to go. I thanked Oliver and head up to Level 29. It feels like the lift is going downwards instead of upwards, you know.
And by the time I realised, I was already inside their office, at the receptionist counter filling up some forms. All their workers walked pass by. All so young. About my age. I haven't seen any of their staffs over the age of 30! Except the receptionist of a Makcik at the age of 40, but with excellent English. I mean, she dresses like a Makcik when all other of her colleagues we dressed modernly. But think twice when u hear her speak her English. Not bad at all. While I was filling up the application form which is 5 pages long (darn it!), asking each and every questions in details, my Mom called me to report what she had found out about the company. I listened to her while writing. I'm so much of a multitasker! Hahaha... She called Mr. Mickson for me, and he said 5 minutes. Waiting... waiting... 10minutes... waiting... 15 minutes. I stood and the Makcik saw me, she smiled to me and nodded me a "wait-for-a-moment". I sit back. I heard her saying on the phone, "Mickson, she's already waiting for like 20 minutes when you said 5 minutes! (Pause nod nod pause nod) OK, I'll bring her in now." To me, "Come, follow me dear." Wow, she called me 'dear'.. Aww.. I'm beginning to like that sweet Makcik.
My first interview starts with an introductory of myself, and my past-working histories, how do I get to know JobsDB, why did I apply for the job, who is their competitors? I thanked Mom to provide me the information that this company is actually Hong Kong based and it's a leading recruitment agency in Singapore, Hong Kong, Philippines, and other Asia Pacific countries, but not in Malaysia. Now who would have know that? Most people only knows about Jobstreet. And finally, the great news was..
Mickson: Now tell me, Joleen (I called him to call me that, my real name is too Chinese-y), if you were selected to work here, are you willing to work in KL?
Me: Yes. I do not come here all the way from Penang on a short notice if I weren't serious. (I was bullshitting actually, but I wasn't going to blow up my opportunity here.)
Mickson: Then I will not go around the bush. I am a straightforward person. And I prefer my sub-ordinates to be one too...
Me: (Hell, cut the bullshit!) ............. uh-huh.............. (smiling sweetly)
Mickson: I am offering you a job here. I'm giving you a basic salary of 1.5k
Me: .............. (I think my face just drooped. Or was it my lips? Or my mouth?)
Mickson: BUT we will be giving you a commission, and there will be an increment in salary after your probation. Is that good enough?
Me: Well, Mr. Mickson.. I don't know what to say. I'm still stunned (Hell, I am stunned. Aren't the market price for KL level ranged from 1.6-1.8k??)
Mickson: From your resume, I can see that you don't have enough experience. (Is he a mind-reader? A psychic power, perhaps?) In fact, you don't have any formal experience at all!
Me: (The sharp knife felt painful) ......... Well, when I am in your company, formally, I will have the "formal" experience that you said.
Mickson: Right. So when can you give me your answer?
Me: Well... for starters I have to inform my Dad-
Mickson: How many days you need?
Me: Can you give me about 1 week?
Mickson: Too long. (Scribble scribble something at my resume)
Me: 5 days then.
Mickson: Too lo-
Me: 3 days!
Mickson: (He looked bored with the bargaining, I think) I'll tell you what. I'll give you 3 days.. and you give me your answer on the 17th.
Me: (Hell Hell Hell!!! Stupid Mickson, today's already the 15th evening. 17th is just 2 days away, not 3!!!) Ok, Mr.Mickson.
Mickson: Ok, do you have any other questions for me?
Me: Yes, about staffs...
Mickson: Oh, about them. We have... blah.. blah... blah... Are you clear?
Me: Crystal! Oh and one more thing, do you have any idea where is the nearest apartments or room-to-rents that you know?
Mickson: There is. Nearby KLCC too. But it's quite an high-end area. (You just offered me only 1.5k, you think I can afford that?? Damn you!) Don't worry, most of the staff here are also renting rooms at other places, they travel by LRT to work everyday, you know.
Me: (Keep smiling, Z, show happiness of being offered a job) Yeah.. I know. I mean, Oh, I SEE. I noticed too, that most of your staff here are so young!
Mickson: Oh ya, they're like about your age. Mostly fresh graduates like you too. Average of their age is in the early twenties. Then oldest is only 25-26 yrs. And we have about 90% female staff in my department! (All smiles up from him... yucks!) There's another new male staff, he's quite new too. Been here for about 2 months only!
Me: Wow, he must be the thorn among the roses (I was trying to be sarcastic, but I think it didn't work)
Mickson: Hahaha... So, I hope to hear good news from you, Joleen. (Handshake.. handshake..)
Me: Sure, me too. (Handshake... handshake...)
I whooped straight out of their office and into Berjaya Times Square for dinner with my Lovely Sisters along, asking my impatiently, how was it? I told them the good news, and they are happy for me. My Cute Sisters was so happy that they even urged me to call our parents to tell them the good news on the spot! I'm so proud to have my Supportive Sisters!!! "Muax! Muax!" to both of you! Later I have to go back to Pudu Terminal to get my butt back on the bus, back to Penang.
When good things must come to an end.
The bus to Butterworth I am suppose to take at 8.35pm was late. Very late. I was there at 8.20pm, and it was 9.10pm the bus haven't arrive. I asked around, and one Chinese lady told me that the bus had already gone! I was like WHAT??!! I didn't even hear they were calling and I was there for more than half an hour already. I went back to the bus counter to demand an explanation.
The reply from them was like an ignorance and non-chalant, "Bas tersangkut lah! You tunggu sebentar lah!!"
I showed my angry, oily, tired face to them, "I sudah tunggu lebih dari setengah jam. Masuk 1 jam dah nih, You nak suruh I tunggu lagi? Yang nih ada bas ke tidak? Atau you orang nak tipu kot!"
Then, "Tak Kak... Tak tipu... Bas kena accident tadi... Masa on the way ke KL."
Put on a better sarcastic feature, "Lar.. cakaplah awal-awal. Macam nih susah kah? Kalau bas rosak, cakaplah bas rosak. Tak payah semua customer you duk tunggu kat bawah susah-susah. You orang kat sini ada air-cond. Kita kat bawah kena hidu gas busuk pulak!"
"Sorry ye Kak... Maih, I tulis bas ganti kat tiket Kak, ok?"
Handing the ticket to them, "Nah, tulislah. Baik jangan duk bas rosak lagi! Harap bas tu betul-betul datang. Kalau tidak..."
"Sorry ye Kak.. Memang kami sorry. Sekejap lagi bas akan datang. Bas kami banyak."
"Kalau memang banyak, tak payahlah I duk tunggu 1 jam kat bawah tanpa notis" With that, I walked away, feeling oh-so-satisfied!
The bus did come after 10.15pm and took off from KL at 10.30pm. I reached home at about 3am dawn! I have an interview at 10.30am the day after, and I am suppose to wake up at 8am & drive out at 9am, to avoid the traffic jams in Georgetown!
Hope I can make it!!!
But... YAAAAWN~~~!
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Interview?
I'm having an interview this coming Tuesday at MWE Plaza, Penang. Since I'm not good at the roads over at the island, Dad says he'll bring me there today to help me recognize the roads. But before that, he have an appointment, so he dropped me with my Mom, who will be working overtime in her office.
At about 12.45pm, I had a phone call from Jobstreet (I think..) asking me whether if I got a job in KL, would I be willing to work there? Heck, even if I'm not willing, I'm not gonna pass up a chance for my experience in interview. The caller, Mr. Mickson, says I will be scheduled for interview on the coming Monday at 5.30pm! Which means, Tuesday is NOT my first interview anymore, MONDAY IS!
After a quick discussion with my parents, they also think it will be best for me even though I am not aiming work in KL. Experience matters more. Dad was not into the idea at first because of his fear of my safety. But I managed to talk him into it. I quickly drove to Tmn Usahaniaga to purchase my bus ticket for Monday. Mom says it'll be better if I reach earlier, just in case I got lost, I still have enough time to turn back. 10.30am ticket it is then!
Then time to hit the island! I drove my Dad's car, so I have to be extra cautious because of the bigger size, not like my teeny weeny red little Kembara. Drove round and round, left and right, finally, I know how to go to MWE Plaza.. I just hope I can remember it on Tuesday. I'm famous for my short-term memory. Hahaha...
Then I heard Dad's stomach started growling. It was already 2pm!
"Perhaps it's time to go to Queensbay Mall to fill my tummy," Dad says.
Boy, going there was easy, but looking for what to eat was tough. Me and Mom joked about going to TGI Friday's and crash Dad's wallet, but we can't eat too full because dinner time's near. I do not know what to suggest either, Paddington Pancakes? Manila Place? Manhattan Fish Market? Sushi King? Dave's Deli? Johnny's? Laksa Shack? Nando's? In the end, Dad settles with Sushi King.
The reason: "It is the brightest restaurant of all. And next time, YOU (he meant me) will be the one who'll pay for any eat-outs." (-.-")
At about 12.45pm, I had a phone call from Jobstreet (I think..) asking me whether if I got a job in KL, would I be willing to work there? Heck, even if I'm not willing, I'm not gonna pass up a chance for my experience in interview. The caller, Mr. Mickson, says I will be scheduled for interview on the coming Monday at 5.30pm! Which means, Tuesday is NOT my first interview anymore, MONDAY IS!
After a quick discussion with my parents, they also think it will be best for me even though I am not aiming work in KL. Experience matters more. Dad was not into the idea at first because of his fear of my safety. But I managed to talk him into it. I quickly drove to Tmn Usahaniaga to purchase my bus ticket for Monday. Mom says it'll be better if I reach earlier, just in case I got lost, I still have enough time to turn back. 10.30am ticket it is then!
Then time to hit the island! I drove my Dad's car, so I have to be extra cautious because of the bigger size, not like my teeny weeny red little Kembara. Drove round and round, left and right, finally, I know how to go to MWE Plaza.. I just hope I can remember it on Tuesday. I'm famous for my short-term memory. Hahaha...
Then I heard Dad's stomach started growling. It was already 2pm!
"Perhaps it's time to go to Queensbay Mall to fill my tummy," Dad says.
Boy, going there was easy, but looking for what to eat was tough. Me and Mom joked about going to TGI Friday's and crash Dad's wallet, but we can't eat too full because dinner time's near. I do not know what to suggest either, Paddington Pancakes? Manila Place? Manhattan Fish Market? Sushi King? Dave's Deli? Johnny's? Laksa Shack? Nando's? In the end, Dad settles with Sushi King.
The reason: "It is the brightest restaurant of all. And next time, YOU (he meant me) will be the one who'll pay for any eat-outs." (-.-")
Dedicated to Oliver
Dear Oliver,
I've promised you to write this post... just giving you something to read up during your "past time" in the office, helping you to get rid of your lingering boredom. So you better thank me very much!
Muahahaha... >:)
Friday morning:
I woke up, startled from the alarm of my handphone, at 9.00am. I wondered why had I set the alarm so darn early? Then with my blur head, I remembered I said something to my Dad about having the curtains in my sister's room washed.. Oh dear, I'm still having blurred visions.... what am I looking at... it's blurry.. and it's getting darker.. and darker... and.. zzZZZzzzz......
Friday morning... nearly noon:
I woke up. Startled. Again. By my handphone. At 10.30 am. But this time, it's a call from my Dad asking me whether to have lunch with him & Mom at the new Indochine restaurant in AutoCity called Golden Triangle. He says if I wanted to join, I better get my butt off the bed and into the bathroom and meet them there at 11.30am NOW! "Okokokokok.." I replied. And off... I wondered into Slumberland again... needing another 5-more-minutes.
Friday morning... nearly noon... after 1/2 hour:
Darn! It's 11am! I got myself freshened up. Bathed as fast as I could. Dressed as fast as I could. And drove as fast as I could. The traffic was just getting crowded as I left the light industrial area outside my house. And I think I've avoided the traffic jam in mere 5 minutes.
Friday noon:
My journey to Autocity is about 15 minutes today because of the slow lorries from the nearby factories. Took another 5 minutes to round up the place and park my small little kembara. This place is full of people with hungry stomachs. It's my first time entering the Golden Triangle, and from the outside, it looked as if the elephants with their watering trunks are some welcoming sign. It was quite quiet outside the restaurant, but it was a different "panoramic" view inside. I stepped inside the restaurant and I noticed there is about 15 waiter and waitress in-waiting. Apparently, Mom & Dad & another one of their friends was the first table of customers.. so all eyes were on us, waiting for our cue. After we've ordered, they left us but not their eyes. Felt as if being watched by ghosts.. Hahaha...
Skipping the nonsense, their food is not bad either. Indochine food comprises of authentic dishes from Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. We had Vietnamese spring rolls, Siamese seafood tomyam, Laosian coconut otak-otak, a very big fish with some spicy sweet & sour Vietnamese gravy, and some simple green vege (from Malaysia... most probably Cameron Highlands, I think. Hahaha...) We wanted to take some glutinous rice in coconut milk, a desert from Thailand, but the Captain said something about not being to have time to prepare. Mom was disappointed. Luckily we didn't have the desert, if not, there wouldn't be much space in our stomach to contain it. Overall, their food is delicious, pure with authenticacy! Thumbs up!
Friday afternoon:
Went back home. Did nothing except chatting.
Friday evening:
Quickly cleaned up the fans in both mine & my sisters room before Dad comes back. I forgot about the curtains going to be washed. I guessed that have to be postponed.
Friday late evening:
I was stuck in the evening traffic jam when I was trying to take a short cut, which ended up arriving to my Mom's office 15 minutes later than usual. Went straight to BM town to shop for some CNY clothes. We went back, empty-handed.
Friday dinnertime:
I had actually planned to go to Halo Cafe later at night with RoSeCs and Wei. Then suddenly, RoSeCs canceled it at the last 30 minutes because he forgot his grandmother's Birthday. I was quite disappointed with it because I have planned this for so long. And I have purposely drove around the new AutoCity Phase 4 just to make sure that it is really opened before confirming the mini get-together. I think Wei heard it in my voice that I was totally crushed because he asked my whether do I want to go yamcha at a later time or not... without RoSeCs. Of course, I quickly agreed! I was already rotting at home..
Long-Live Wei!!!
Friday night:
Chatting happily with my PC while waiting for the time to past before Wei reaches.
Friday midnight:
We went to a darn near Pelita Nasi Kandar in Bukit Minyak because Wei does not want to show-off his pajamas to a lot of people. And he has to bear with me for always saying "Sien" because I was bored. Poor guy...
Friday night after midnight:
Reached home around 1.30am. Everyone's asleep. I will too.
Good night.
Sincerely,
-icymint-
I've promised you to write this post... just giving you something to read up during your "past time" in the office, helping you to get rid of your lingering boredom. So you better thank me very much!
Muahahaha... >:)
Friday morning:
I woke up, startled from the alarm of my handphone, at 9.00am. I wondered why had I set the alarm so darn early? Then with my blur head, I remembered I said something to my Dad about having the curtains in my sister's room washed.. Oh dear, I'm still having blurred visions.... what am I looking at... it's blurry.. and it's getting darker.. and darker... and.. zzZZZzzzz......
Friday morning... nearly noon:
I woke up. Startled. Again. By my handphone. At 10.30 am. But this time, it's a call from my Dad asking me whether to have lunch with him & Mom at the new Indochine restaurant in AutoCity called Golden Triangle. He says if I wanted to join, I better get my butt off the bed and into the bathroom and meet them there at 11.30am NOW! "Okokokokok.." I replied. And off... I wondered into Slumberland again... needing another 5-more-minutes.
Friday morning... nearly noon... after 1/2 hour:
Darn! It's 11am! I got myself freshened up. Bathed as fast as I could. Dressed as fast as I could. And drove as fast as I could. The traffic was just getting crowded as I left the light industrial area outside my house. And I think I've avoided the traffic jam in mere 5 minutes.
Friday noon:
My journey to Autocity is about 15 minutes today because of the slow lorries from the nearby factories. Took another 5 minutes to round up the place and park my small little kembara. This place is full of people with hungry stomachs. It's my first time entering the Golden Triangle, and from the outside, it looked as if the elephants with their watering trunks are some welcoming sign. It was quite quiet outside the restaurant, but it was a different "panoramic" view inside. I stepped inside the restaurant and I noticed there is about 15 waiter and waitress in-waiting. Apparently, Mom & Dad & another one of their friends was the first table of customers.. so all eyes were on us, waiting for our cue. After we've ordered, they left us but not their eyes. Felt as if being watched by ghosts.. Hahaha...
Skipping the nonsense, their food is not bad either. Indochine food comprises of authentic dishes from Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. We had Vietnamese spring rolls, Siamese seafood tomyam, Laosian coconut otak-otak, a very big fish with some spicy sweet & sour Vietnamese gravy, and some simple green vege (from Malaysia... most probably Cameron Highlands, I think. Hahaha...) We wanted to take some glutinous rice in coconut milk, a desert from Thailand, but the Captain said something about not being to have time to prepare. Mom was disappointed. Luckily we didn't have the desert, if not, there wouldn't be much space in our stomach to contain it. Overall, their food is delicious, pure with authenticacy! Thumbs up!
Friday afternoon:
Went back home. Did nothing except chatting.
Friday evening:
Quickly cleaned up the fans in both mine & my sisters room before Dad comes back. I forgot about the curtains going to be washed. I guessed that have to be postponed.
Friday late evening:
I was stuck in the evening traffic jam when I was trying to take a short cut, which ended up arriving to my Mom's office 15 minutes later than usual. Went straight to BM town to shop for some CNY clothes. We went back, empty-handed.
Friday dinnertime:
I had actually planned to go to Halo Cafe later at night with RoSeCs and Wei. Then suddenly, RoSeCs canceled it at the last 30 minutes because he forgot his grandmother's Birthday. I was quite disappointed with it because I have planned this for so long. And I have purposely drove around the new AutoCity Phase 4 just to make sure that it is really opened before confirming the mini get-together. I think Wei heard it in my voice that I was totally crushed because he asked my whether do I want to go yamcha at a later time or not... without RoSeCs. Of course, I quickly agreed! I was already rotting at home..
Long-Live Wei!!!
Friday night:
Chatting happily with my PC while waiting for the time to past before Wei reaches.
Friday midnight:
We went to a darn near Pelita Nasi Kandar in Bukit Minyak because Wei does not want to show-off his pajamas to a lot of people. And he has to bear with me for always saying "Sien" because I was bored. Poor guy...
Friday night after midnight:
Reached home around 1.30am. Everyone's asleep. I will too.
Good night.
Sincerely,
-icymint-
Monday, January 08, 2007
Sinister Lady Strikes Again
It was a happy day putting up my new curtain and catching up with my Bleach anime series from episode 102-108. And then, it was ruined by THAT OLD LADY!!! X(
Dad came home while I was cleaning u my room and he asked me whether have I heard my next door neighbour calling me tat afternoon. I shook my head and asked why. Dad says my neighbour called me and tat Old Lady went out of the house as quick as possible to retrieve a gift (which most of the time will be food) from my neighbour. And this Old Lady complained to my Dad that I did not reply my neighbour! Darn backstabber old lady!!!
She gave my Dad the impression that my neighbour called me for a long time and I ignored them. Truth is, I never hear my neighbour calling me. Even if they did, I should have heard. I suspect that she told my neighbours that we don't feed her... or some other tall tales that she can think of.
My Dad scolded me for not being aware of my house surroundings. Got another scolding from Mom too. Darn Old Backstabber!!! She got her revenge. I am patient... I am being patience.. Now I just hope that one day... Just one fine day.. the old backstabber will get what she deserves!!!
And I will be happy to say, "Serves her right!"
Dad came home while I was cleaning u my room and he asked me whether have I heard my next door neighbour calling me tat afternoon. I shook my head and asked why. Dad says my neighbour called me and tat Old Lady went out of the house as quick as possible to retrieve a gift (which most of the time will be food) from my neighbour. And this Old Lady complained to my Dad that I did not reply my neighbour! Darn backstabber old lady!!!
She gave my Dad the impression that my neighbour called me for a long time and I ignored them. Truth is, I never hear my neighbour calling me. Even if they did, I should have heard. I suspect that she told my neighbours that we don't feed her... or some other tall tales that she can think of.
My Dad scolded me for not being aware of my house surroundings. Got another scolding from Mom too. Darn Old Backstabber!!! She got her revenge. I am patient... I am being patience.. Now I just hope that one day... Just one fine day.. the old backstabber will get what she deserves!!!
And I will be happy to say, "Serves her right!"
Sunday, January 07, 2007
New Pinkie Curtain
I had my curtain washed in the washing machine the other day. And it came out of the machine... TORNED! Koyak! A Big Hole!. So big that you can actually put your entire head through it, looking stupid in the mirror! =P
I tried sewing it up... until halfway, me Dad pitied me... and asked me..
"What are you doing?"
"Playing with my needles & thread. Wanna join?"
Dad took a look at the hole.
"Come, let's go out and buy a ready-made curtain for you."
"Reeeeally??"
Dad doesn't usually offer to buy something like this...
"Really. Get change now. I will tell ur mother."
And so, we went to Alka-Ria, then Kamdar, then Pacific after the previous both gives either negative results or curtains-of-not-my-choice. I had a pick of a new pinkie curtain in Pacific. Not really my choice either, but it's the best I can get from the 3 places.. and no more choices to go to anymore. Just grab the last curtain on display to hang it up in my room temporary until i've met the curtain-of-my-own-choice. Pink. Again.
"Your room is dark, you should choose a brighter colour," says Mom.
"Alright."
There's no other better choice anyway.
I tried sewing it up... until halfway, me Dad pitied me... and asked me..
"What are you doing?"
"Playing with my needles & thread. Wanna join?"
Dad took a look at the hole.
"Come, let's go out and buy a ready-made curtain for you."
"Reeeeally??"
Dad doesn't usually offer to buy something like this...
"Really. Get change now. I will tell ur mother."
And so, we went to Alka-Ria, then Kamdar, then Pacific after the previous both gives either negative results or curtains-of-not-my-choice. I had a pick of a new pinkie curtain in Pacific. Not really my choice either, but it's the best I can get from the 3 places.. and no more choices to go to anymore. Just grab the last curtain on display to hang it up in my room temporary until i've met the curtain-of-my-own-choice. Pink. Again.
"Your room is dark, you should choose a brighter colour," says Mom.
"Alright."
There's no other better choice anyway.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
The Old SINISTER Lady
I woke up early today, with a good mood. I look at the family laundry basket, and I thought, time for laundry! I got downstairs towards the kitchen door leading to the washing machine outside the house.
And I found:
1) the aluminium door was unhatched;
2) the 2 padlocks on the grill was not there, but beside the basin next to the door
The first thing that come into my mind was, WAS THERE A THIEF WHEN I WAS SLEEPING?!
Then I opened the grill door to let myself out, and I saw
3) the soap powder container was not closed properly
Then I knew, this was the work of THE old lady, my sinister grandmother.
Since I already knew it was her doings, I made a mental note to tell her the insecurities if she were to leave the doors unlocked again.
After I hung up my clothes on the line to dry, I saw her sitting comfortably on the sofa watching her drama series. I just make it simple telling her she must not left those undone again, as I do not wish to talk to her so long.
Me: Ah Mah, the door was unhatched when i went out to do the laundry. And so is the 2 padlocks. And the soap powder container.
Ah Mah: What? Now you want to find fault with me?!
Me: No, I'm just telling you that if u leave the doors unlocked again, it is dangerous. And please close the container tightly next time you use the powder. It may get wet from the rain and turn the soap powder hard.
Ah Mah: That container was already loose when I used it. Your parents didn't closed it properly yesterday.
Me: Then when you used it, you may help to shut it tightly. Simple.
Ah Mah: Aarrhh... I do not want to touch those things that were of yours! Later all of you will blame me! I went out to do my laundry too, I saw the container already not shut tightly. I left it as it is. If not, you all will blame me again!
Me: Then the doors, next time please shut it with padlocks too.
Ah Mah: I just went out for a moment! Cannot??!! Why must I shut it when yesterday your parents can open it whole day! I was inside my room for a while after my laundry. You already think you are great. You can hear what I did from inside my room. You should know what I do inside my room! All those things, you can do, but I cannot do! All you do is to find fault with me!
Me: (I just reach BM yesterday, so I think she meant my Mom opened the door to do some spring cleaning) But yesterday there are people downstairs. That is why we didn't close the door.
Ah Mah: You just want to find fault with me!
Me: Why do I want to find fault with you?? I just remind you to close the door next time to prevent those stray cats from coming in. You wouldn't be in the living room all the time. You sometimes stay in your room. Nobody's outside to watch the door. Do you want the stray cats to come in? Who's going to clean the poo then??
Ah Mah: All of you are the same! All the small things, you will blame me! All the faults, you will blame me! You think you are already an adult?! You are not an adult yet! You don't know what it feels like! I take care of my grandchildre--
Me: No, you didn't take care of me and my sisters.
Ah Mah: Your parents don't let me-
Me: Which I understand why they do that now.
Ah Mah: I will tell your father about this.
Me: Go ahead and tell.
Ah Mah: Now you think you can "action" already?
Me: Yes! (I was beginning to boil up too)
Ah Mah: Ooohh.. Now you think you're so clever??! Do you think I want to stay at your house?
Me: (Quietly hoping she doesn't hears says) If you don't like it, move. (But she heard me)
Ah Mah: You think you're so clever, huh?! Next time you won't have any boy child!!!
I just laughed at her remarks. I mean, she says I find faults with her which actually she pick fights with me. And she even threatens to tell my father about this. As if I am afraid. And then, she even cursed me not to have a boy-child!
Ah Mah: Why are you laughing? Wat is so nice to laugh at? All of you.. ALL of you in this family are always bullying me! Always!!! $%#^#^%&^^%$#@
After that I just went upstairs, switched on my music volume loud enough to drown her voice. I know she still is mumbling, but I don't care what she says. The most angst thing is, she cursed me not to have a boy-child! Not that I think having a baby-boy is important, to me, both is the same.. girl or boy. But to see that she acts so childish, it really is hilarious.
But one thing I must admit, I don't feel good after arguing with her. I felt victorious, but sickly inside. My heart was pumping like it was moving as quick as the bullet train. I have broken a couple of the chinese traditional rules, which is
#1 Must not fight with elders
#2 Must respect the elders
These traditional rules are good to obey. Though, I already disobeyed it with my grandmother. She picks fight with either me or my sisters when they're around. My sisters told me all about it. I believe them. Sometimes my sisters had quite the same cases as mine. I pitied my sisters more because I am more afraid of what she might do to my sisters rather than to me. And the old lady's attitude don't appeal to me to respect her. She is totally not a model grandmother.
How can I respect her as a grandmother, when she herself do not respect me as her grandchild??
How can I love her as a grandmother, when she herself do not love me as her grandchild?
Maybe... just maybe, I can TRY to love her.. but her attitude, her jealousy, her speech, just made me want to throw up at her. This is not the first time she picks up a fight with me. There some other times where I just advised her, and she just flared up. But this is the most serious one of all. There was even one time the she tried to "kill" herself in my bedroom to get people to pity her, by saying nobody cares for her anymore. But did she cares for anyone other than herself? Anyone? Anyone at all?? I don't think so. Then there was another time that she backstabbed me by telling lies about me to my 3rd uncle. Luckily my eldest aunt believed me.
People kept telling me to let her be. Just be patient. Remember the times she takes care of you when you were younger. (Sorry, she DID NOT take care of me when I was a baby. She just never did.) Remember the things she done for you. (Sorry, she never did anything for me and my sisters. She just never cared.) Or just remember the times you both shared together when you were younger. (Sorry, she never was there. Never ever was there. EVER.) She is just an old lady. Just let her be senile once in a while. Oh, how I WISHED she really IS senile!
If she wants people to respect her, did she ever think of why people doesn't respect her?
Did she ever think of why all my other uncles and aunts don't appreciate her?
Does she ever think of her big sly mouth?!
*
*
*
Answer: NO, I don't think it will EVER OCCUR to her!
And because of her, i'm feeling grumpy!
And I found:
1) the aluminium door was unhatched;
2) the 2 padlocks on the grill was not there, but beside the basin next to the door
The first thing that come into my mind was, WAS THERE A THIEF WHEN I WAS SLEEPING?!
Then I opened the grill door to let myself out, and I saw
3) the soap powder container was not closed properly
Then I knew, this was the work of THE old lady, my sinister grandmother.
Since I already knew it was her doings, I made a mental note to tell her the insecurities if she were to leave the doors unlocked again.
After I hung up my clothes on the line to dry, I saw her sitting comfortably on the sofa watching her drama series. I just make it simple telling her she must not left those undone again, as I do not wish to talk to her so long.
Me: Ah Mah, the door was unhatched when i went out to do the laundry. And so is the 2 padlocks. And the soap powder container.
Ah Mah: What? Now you want to find fault with me?!
Me: No, I'm just telling you that if u leave the doors unlocked again, it is dangerous. And please close the container tightly next time you use the powder. It may get wet from the rain and turn the soap powder hard.
Ah Mah: That container was already loose when I used it. Your parents didn't closed it properly yesterday.
Me: Then when you used it, you may help to shut it tightly. Simple.
Ah Mah: Aarrhh... I do not want to touch those things that were of yours! Later all of you will blame me! I went out to do my laundry too, I saw the container already not shut tightly. I left it as it is. If not, you all will blame me again!
Me: Then the doors, next time please shut it with padlocks too.
Ah Mah: I just went out for a moment! Cannot??!! Why must I shut it when yesterday your parents can open it whole day! I was inside my room for a while after my laundry. You already think you are great. You can hear what I did from inside my room. You should know what I do inside my room! All those things, you can do, but I cannot do! All you do is to find fault with me!
Me: (I just reach BM yesterday, so I think she meant my Mom opened the door to do some spring cleaning) But yesterday there are people downstairs. That is why we didn't close the door.
Ah Mah: You just want to find fault with me!
Me: Why do I want to find fault with you?? I just remind you to close the door next time to prevent those stray cats from coming in. You wouldn't be in the living room all the time. You sometimes stay in your room. Nobody's outside to watch the door. Do you want the stray cats to come in? Who's going to clean the poo then??
Ah Mah: All of you are the same! All the small things, you will blame me! All the faults, you will blame me! You think you are already an adult?! You are not an adult yet! You don't know what it feels like! I take care of my grandchildre--
Me: No, you didn't take care of me and my sisters.
Ah Mah: Your parents don't let me-
Me: Which I understand why they do that now.
Ah Mah: I will tell your father about this.
Me: Go ahead and tell.
Ah Mah: Now you think you can "action" already?
Me: Yes! (I was beginning to boil up too)
Ah Mah: Ooohh.. Now you think you're so clever??! Do you think I want to stay at your house?
Me: (Quietly hoping she doesn't hears says) If you don't like it, move. (But she heard me)
Ah Mah: You think you're so clever, huh?! Next time you won't have any boy child!!!
I just laughed at her remarks. I mean, she says I find faults with her which actually she pick fights with me. And she even threatens to tell my father about this. As if I am afraid. And then, she even cursed me not to have a boy-child!
Ah Mah: Why are you laughing? Wat is so nice to laugh at? All of you.. ALL of you in this family are always bullying me! Always!!! $%#^#^%&^^%$#@
After that I just went upstairs, switched on my music volume loud enough to drown her voice. I know she still is mumbling, but I don't care what she says. The most angst thing is, she cursed me not to have a boy-child! Not that I think having a baby-boy is important, to me, both is the same.. girl or boy. But to see that she acts so childish, it really is hilarious.
But one thing I must admit, I don't feel good after arguing with her. I felt victorious, but sickly inside. My heart was pumping like it was moving as quick as the bullet train. I have broken a couple of the chinese traditional rules, which is
#1 Must not fight with elders
#2 Must respect the elders
These traditional rules are good to obey. Though, I already disobeyed it with my grandmother. She picks fight with either me or my sisters when they're around. My sisters told me all about it. I believe them. Sometimes my sisters had quite the same cases as mine. I pitied my sisters more because I am more afraid of what she might do to my sisters rather than to me. And the old lady's attitude don't appeal to me to respect her. She is totally not a model grandmother.
How can I respect her as a grandmother, when she herself do not respect me as her grandchild??
How can I love her as a grandmother, when she herself do not love me as her grandchild?
Maybe... just maybe, I can TRY to love her.. but her attitude, her jealousy, her speech, just made me want to throw up at her. This is not the first time she picks up a fight with me. There some other times where I just advised her, and she just flared up. But this is the most serious one of all. There was even one time the she tried to "kill" herself in my bedroom to get people to pity her, by saying nobody cares for her anymore. But did she cares for anyone other than herself? Anyone? Anyone at all?? I don't think so. Then there was another time that she backstabbed me by telling lies about me to my 3rd uncle. Luckily my eldest aunt believed me.
People kept telling me to let her be. Just be patient. Remember the times she takes care of you when you were younger. (Sorry, she DID NOT take care of me when I was a baby. She just never did.) Remember the things she done for you. (Sorry, she never did anything for me and my sisters. She just never cared.) Or just remember the times you both shared together when you were younger. (Sorry, she never was there. Never ever was there. EVER.) She is just an old lady. Just let her be senile once in a while. Oh, how I WISHED she really IS senile!
If she wants people to respect her, did she ever think of why people doesn't respect her?
Did she ever think of why all my other uncles and aunts don't appreciate her?
Does she ever think of her big sly mouth?!
*
*
*
Answer: NO, I don't think it will EVER OCCUR to her!
And because of her, i'm feeling grumpy!
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