telekom bills

coming to tm point before 12pm on a weekday allows us all to escape the crowds. instead waiting for an hour to check the bills and make payment, it becomes only 10 mins... thank u tm

bills.... bills.... bills

after the payment @ mpkj... now i am in syabas to settle the water bill. not to many people so it is a comfortable wait.

waiting till the last minute....

i think it is the same for all malaysians, we love to wait till the last minute to pay our bills and we end up waiting in queues which are so long that we regret waiting. but i know for a fact, next year when the same bill is due we will still take our time and again we visit the same queues.

at mpkj... wow look at the humanity.

another week .....

time is now calculated by the tasks which gets done on a daily basis. as an owner of a business i would have to accept the fact that is not all fun and games. together with team we have been hard at work to finish the specifications for our extension request. i had worked on the proposal till 130am after which my brain needed to sleep.

I have to say it was extremely satisfying when i typed the final figure in the proposal. so off goes another proposal with the hope that we embark on the next phase of this project.

From Monday to Friday....

What a week !!!  From Monday to Friday, there was non-stop activity and we have more to look forward to in the next 4 - 6 weeks.  As usual, for the last 4 years or so, there are massive amounts of preparations being done for the upcoming works that we is being envisioned for us for the next 2 years.  All the preparations would be done, and after that there is only hope and doa for us to get the projects that we need. 

As mentioned in the previous post, on Monday I had gone to the land in Damansara to settle some hopefully minor issues.  The contractor was supposed to have sent out a quotation, but till today we have not received it.  I am sure that he is looking and sourcing for the cheapest material to meet the budget that was given.  Hopefully he would be able to achieve what is needed. 

There are still no news or advancement for the permits that we had applied for the new office construction, and the contractor is running out of things to do and keep busy.  Now the inside of the office is starting to take shape but the large roof slab that is planned for the rear of the factory is still not done.  That is the key to make sure that we get the office ready for this year.  But as usual when one depends on the application and approval of governing bodies, it does take time, since these bodies has "SO MUCH WORK TO DO". 

On Tuesday, 19.2.2013, we had received news that the simulator project that we have been waiting for is now out on tender.  We had quickly registered and picked up the tender to see what is the work scope.  On paper it seems quite complicated with lots of equipment and systems to maintain but we will learn a lot more during the site visit which was done on Thursday 21.2.2013.  Surprisingly after the site visit, the technical teams told me that it is quite an easy job to maintain the system and we are now fully committed to produce the best tender that we can produce.  My goal is if we were to lose this project, it should not be due to the lack of trying.  

On Wednesday, 20.2.2013, we had gone ahead to separate the tender into chewable parts so that each person is able to process the information and start getting the proposal ready.  Monday, 25th of February would be the day that we get together for the official allocation of work.  

Whilst all this is going on, we are in the midst of preparing the extension proposal for our main system, so hopefully this would go without a hitch. 

Today, was a disappointing day, today I learned that letting go of someone from our company was the best decision made in a long time.  I had received an email from a customer requesting for a quotation, and after responding to the customer who usually deals with the recently departed sales guy from our office, he mentioned to me that there is an outstanding issue with the servers that he had bought from us in 2009.  

I was completely taken aback and shocked to hear that mostly because we had allowed the customer to struggle and correspond with IBM.  This is not the policy of this company, any issues would be tackled by our sales guy and it would be solved by us.  Finding out about this, really took me for a loop.  I can't believe it was not told to our technical team since 2009 till now.  So now, we are going to solve this for the customer.  It is very lucky that they still allow for us to be of service to them.  Un bloody believable.  Good Riddance for the garbage that we had for so many years.  

I wonder if there are any other accounts that might have issues? 

Now I am in the preparation mode for my daughter's 1st birthday party.  So hopefully it would be nice and I am actually looking forward to it.  Happy Birthday Soon Little Girlie.   

What a Monday....

Imagine coming into Monday, the plate is so full that I am already feeling tired.  Had to go settle some land matters for my wife and a full day in the office.  My day started at 6:30am waking up the children for school, then it was on to Damansara to look at the cost to fence in about 7,800 sq feet of land that belongs to my wife.  It is part of a 39,000 sq feet of land that is shared amongst five different family members.  In trying to do this project, I have learned that we have to develop only in the area that is allocated to us and not encroach in other people's areas.  

But as in any culture, religion, race or country; when it comes to land and money usually common sense flies out of the window.  The excuses and justification given with people's actions on these 2 issues are just crazy and most of the time ridiculous.  I guess it would be up to us who are sane and thinking clearly to look at the situation and do what is correct in the eyes of the law.  At times it would be against what others think, but at the end of the day, we only have the law to fall back on.  So today starts this extremely challenging process with the hope that everyone remains calm, cool and reasonable.

After the land visit, I was back in the office and surprisingly I had found a 9.1mb word document that was received from our partner.  Imagine that a 9.1mb document which had no pictures, just words.  I saw that it was 1300 pages.  I have to read this today and have it ready for discussion with our teams tomorrow at 10am.  What a day and what a monday !!!

I guess it is just another day which happens to set your whole week.  Have fun everyone. 

 

The Passing of the Pool Test

The whole family (with exception to the baby) had passed our pool tests for our scuba license.  Now with the theory section passed and now the pool section passed, we are heading towards our next step which is the open water section.  And for this, we are going to Tioman in mid March for the test. 

The family is extremely excited and we are really looking forward to looking at the underwater creatures that we will see.  Ohh this would be great.  I just hope that it would go without a hitch.  So lets scuba on.....

Work vs Personal

As usual these are the issues that we always have to confront and deal with.  For me this year, the 1st challenge would be my daughter's birthday vs. the training that is to be done for JUPEM.  I have just been told that the customers would like to have the training to start the day after my daughter's birthday.  If I am to attend to the training, I have to begin the travel on the day of the birthday.  

So without thinking any further, I will be concentrating on my daughter's birthday and maybe show up at the training a couple of days late.  It is not even a choice.  I know that this is the right choice because we can't repeat this birthday.  

These types of questions had been presented to me before, and surprisingly I had taken the work option most of the time, and I know that it is time for me to stop making those types of decisions.  As my wife always says, No matter how tough our life is, we can only really count on family and ourselves and nobody else. 

Thank you baby. 

2 days without a post....

It has been 2 days without a post.  There are lots to do and lots happening.  I love a mini vacation just like the one that we just had over the Chinese New Year's holidays but after coming back from these extended breaks my desk is usually swamped with various requests and things that needs to be looked at.  

The Good news that we had today was the confirmation of 2 separate Purchase Order from both MUFTI and LKIM.  These are 2 great start for the year.  But as far as business goes, we are still waiting till March before any news of the other works that we are chasing.  These works are the multi-year contracts that will allow for company survivability. 

I was actually feeling very tired, that I had gone to sleep at 9pm even before having food.  Finally my wonderful wife woke me up with some satay.  It was great.  Thank you babe for thinking of me always.  

man bags

it was certainly a sight years ago when the men folks were jealous that women had nice bags to carry. i believe throughout the eighties these bags were common sights on the streets of kl, i remembered that even my father had one. it was certainly the age of man-bags and bush jackets.

these bags took a tumble in the nineties when the fanny packs were introduced and another man fashion accessory was born.

now you would still see a spattering of these bags usually being carried by business men and political aspirants. a friend related a story once when he said that his friend carried a bag because had one, though the usage of his bag was different; while others carried firearms and cash, he carried receipts. ha ha ha.

my wonderful wife had gifted me with such a bag one year, so here it is and also i hope that this particular stays dead forever. thank u honey...

harley

the discussion of the long weekend was about harley davidson. i had learned about fat boy, the 48, iron and other harley related terms.

my friends and i talked at length about the possibility of riding on a boneshaker, causing dead legs and having a 1 minute salam greeting to signify that we are part of a special club... the club of wanting a harley but unable to get one because our wives haven't given the approval. i know they are all coming around. so there is still hope.

bald is sexy

the bald is back. i keep trying to convince my wife that bald is sexy. i keep telling her this until she grudgingly says yes. i hope because she believes it and not just to shut me up. she is awesome that way.

when i started balding about 15 years ago (come to think that was about the time i got married to my wonderful wife, maybe that is the reason...hmmm), i said to myself that once the bald spots shows i will completely shave the head. so for the last 12 years or so, this was the sexy look.

passing a test

the feeling hasn't changed. it is the same feeling and euphoria that i had felt when i was in standard 1 and throughout high school and college.

passing an exam at any level always gave me the feeling of accomplishment. yesterday the while family had a test and we passed the theory portion with flying colors.

now in to the practical portion and as a friend said .... on to the fun. yeah!

pos laju

another attempt at getting my parcel. i was told in the afternoon to come here in the evening after 7pm.

so here i am at 730pm and the crowd is the same.

Election in the Air....

Well it has been at least 2 years that the people of Malaysia been talking about the elections.  Though what disturbs me is that there are people out there that keeps harping on the fact that the current prime minister, Najib, does not have a mandate from the people to become the Prime Minister because he did not lead the last election when the current political government won.  

My questions are on that statement is that our constitution does not provide the provision to elect our prime minister's directly.  It only allows the people to elect the party that forms the Political Government, and naturally the leader of that particular party becomes the Prime Minister.  SO with that in mind, there is no question about Najib's mandate from the people because his mandate is based upon the political party's mandate that was given to them by the people of Malaysia.  

I think we all have to be a little more matured in our deliberations of our political scene here in Malaysia.  Though in other countries, citizens are given the opportunity to elect the ultimate Leader of the country, in Malaysia it is different because our constitution and laws does not allow for us to be a participant of that process.  If we are to voice our concerns, then we should ask for a change to our constituion and not question the legitamacy of Najib's position within the Goverment.  Questions with regards to having or not having a mandate shouldn't really be addressed and entertained.  

Again, this is all my personal feelings.

CNY Holidays and Other Thoughts

As I am writing this, people are already in the Chinese New Year Holidays mode.  That is what's great about living in a country that has a definite diverse population, these holidays are really more meaningful as the whole country gets into it.  The beginnings of the mass exodus has started along all major highways as everyone returns to their "kampungs" for the visits and eats that is usually associated with these holidays. 

For people like me where "kampung" is just down the road it allows us to experience KL without the constant traffic congestion.  So that is cool.  

The planning for my daughter's birthday is coming along.  Had given the appropriate deposits today to confirm the venue and the RSVP's are streaming in.  I am very happy to hear that there are lots of friends willing to be there to celebrate this once in a lifetime experience for my daughter.  Though I doubt she really knows what is happening so the video would be the most important memory for her.  

Again, had lunch with my wife and daughter at our regular place (actually it has become our daily place) and it was uneventful.  We talked about the birthday and other issues, but as parents most of our conversation was centered around the children and their various activities.  We are merely pawns, maids and drivers for these children.  How lucky they are !!!!

pos laju

i am now awaiting to pick up a package at poslaju and there is a crowd of humanity. wow everybody seems to be sending their package.

Summary for 7.2.2013

The real good news was that we made the tender drop off with 10 minutes to spare.  Hopefully we had done enough on the pricing that we would be able to receive positive news on this tender. 

WE are also awaiting a Purchase Order from a state government department, upon receipt of this particular PO then it would be the first time that we are doing business with the state.  Hopefully it will be here soon. 

After the submission, I had lunch with my wife and youngest daughter.  I told my wife that I feel so lucky that even though I have to work, I am still able to see them on a daily basis for lunch.  I actually fed my daughter her lunch today.  It was great.  I could see other fathers that wished that they would be able to do what I was doing.  

During the lunch my wife had told me that drinking and eating fresh coconut would act as a natural laxative.  I didn't believe it at first, but after today, I believe this.  I think I need to think of setting up a laxative based diet program centering around drinking coconuts.  Just a thought.  

Tomorrow we have to tackle the training requests from a customer.  They would like to go away for training which means it is more of a vacation.  So we shall see after this discussion. 

I was finally able to figure out how to make the time and date correct in my posts.  Such a basic requirement yet it took me so long to figure it out.  But as my business professor once said "a win is always a win irregardless how long it took and more importantly how small the win was".  

So with that in mind, YEAH I won. 

excitement and wrong price

after sending out the tender we realized that we were 135,000 short. had to recall the team. hopefully they will make it.

because of all the work that needs to be done, my ashtray looks pretty bare.

Had to come in early in the morning to ensure that our pricing for the tender was ok.  In our cross checking, we had found detrimental mistakes on my numbers that we were lucky to had been able to catch and rectify before submission.  Now the rest of the team is preparing the required documentation to send out to the customer.  Hopefully our luck will continue and we will take this project to do. 

This is why it is important for more than 1 set of eyes to go through numbers.  After looking at spreadsheets all night long, I find that my eyes starts to get blurred and I have a tendency to punch in the wrong number.  In this case, the maintenance cost was placed instead of the marked up price.  In all the other sections of our submission the price was the marked up one.  What a mistake.  

It was lucky that we were able to catch it.  Great job team.  

Now since it is about 10:50am, and the rush and adrenaline of tender preparation is done, I have to move on to the next items on my list.  

What needs to be done today??? 

I am sure there would be things that will be added to the list as the days go by. 

Next big item this month, is my daughter's 1st birthday.  That is going to be a planning nightmare also.  But well worth it, since it will be her 1st birthday.  

It is now late in the night, and we are all waiting for pricing information for the tender.  All other documents are ready and printed, we are just missing the pricing information.  If only I can write just give us 5% above whatever the supplier quoted and we would be good.  

Had an interesting discussion on the need for perkeso (socso) and the planned national insurance policy.  The discussion had people supporting both sides of the arguments.  It was good, a real mature discussion on how to further allocate ourselves to more of the contributions that companies are to make.  

Still waiting....

hrdf training scheme ... what is it?

till today i am still wondering how hrdf works ... just saw an email on an approved trainingwith the title 'meningkatkan kecemerlangan dan etika pemandu korporat & pekerja dispatch'...

it is rm 1300 per person. i didn't think that there was such a training. i think i m in the wrong business. i am thinking of putting a training for the cleaning lady and tea lady next.

back to work

Wow, really logging in the time for this blog.  Hopefully it will last.  Had an update with our Technical Head, and he had mentioned that there are some back up issues using Guava.  Initially I seriously thought that it was a fruit.  Technology... isn't it great and the names are awesome.  Imagine that "Guava".  I sincerely hope it is the pink type and not the green. 

What is also great is when you have a team that is functioning well and assuring that we meet customer's expectations and also their aspirations.  I have such teams on both the technical and finance departments.  There was a problem at the sales side last year, but now this is a brand new year and hopefully we will be moving towards greener pastures, where bumblebees can live.  

Tender due tomorrow, and as usual the prices will be coming out at the last minute.  Number crunching as usual tonite (haven't done this in a long time) and hopefully we would be competitive.  So difficult to do business without political assistance, but I have to say it is more satisfying when we win the tender.   

More later.....

making life fun

other than my wife and children... these little things makes my life great.

Daily Tasks @ 12.11pm.

Trying to use this blog is difficult but I am now trying to ensure that I do at least 1 post a day so that it can truly represent my life story.  I don't even know how to get the time correctly.  Now writing about bumblebees earlier, all my posts would be in yellow... That is if I remember to make it yellow before publishing. 

Today had been a good day.  Sent the children to school early and was able to be home before the traffic started.  Came to the office and decided to start writing.  I am now awaiting for the following:- 

1.  Presentation for customer 
2.  PO from Customer 
3.  Payments from Customer 
4.  To solve outstanding technical issues with customer 
5.  To solidify the sales team.. 

for Item #5, wow what a task.. Any ideas?  Don't know.  Anyways, back to work and ready to tackle everything.  I sincerely believe that "we are where we are supposed to be". 

TIME FOR LUNCH

Thanks again. 

My 1st Post.... Wednesday, 6.2.2013 @ 11:53am

Taking this opportunity to welcome myself.  This is a place for me to write, improve my storytelling, and whatever else that I might desire.  I will try to update this site in order for me to see my own development as I begin an important phase of my life.

I want to try with a bumble like layout because I like bumblebees.  I am weird that way but who cares, because I am sure there are lots and lots of different types of people out there in the world.

For anyone that reads this blog, these are my thoughts at that current time.  Keep an open mind, and any comments would be welcomed.

Thanks...