Some how strange things do happen in life

On Saturday, I received a call from my ex-supervisor, whereby she asked me to attend a Sime Darby interview on Monday. However, I told her I have to fly on Monday to the Lion City as there is an interview for me to attend on Tuesday. She didn't give up on her hope. She continued telling me stories about the latest development in Sime Darby Technology Centre (the place I did my industrial training) and the newly established Sime Darby Genomics Sdn Bhd. Then again, she tried to convince me into attending that particular interview. This time around she managed to convince me. She starts telling me details about the interview. To my surprise, it is an interview to look for candidates for the management trainee program. But what surprises me more, is that their minimum requirement is CGPA 2.5 or equivalent. I was like wtf ? For the first time I heard that there is a management trainee program that had such a low requirement. But, somehow, when I think a bit further, I knew most of the reasons behind this (I wont elaborate here, if you are interested, ask me personally :D)

As expected, since the interview was advertised on newspaper, I knew a lot people would be there to try their luck as the chance to work in an MNC with status such as Sime Darby doesn't come along too often. I expect a crowd of about 100 ppl, but when I reach there at about 9 am, I see 200-300 ppl. During registration, I managed to meet two new friends from UiTM Shah Alam. Haha, nice lad with good results. Luckily they are from Engineering which means they wont be competing with me. After I get my registration done, I went to the toilet outside the room. At the hallway, I meet Wen See and Danny. What a surpise again ! Then I met Jian Pen and my old biotech gang ! Seems like, I'm not the only one interested to get a career with Sime Darby.

Then, some officer from Sime Darby starts calling our name and assigning us to specific room on another floor for interview. I was assigned to Downstream processing for the Plantation division which at first, I didn't suspect anything amiss. However, when I was waiting for my turn outside the room, I saw Miss Lisa and Kak Julia. They were situated in the room next to us, interviewing Bioscience and R&D grads ! I was like wtf ? Then I saw Miss Lisa reassigning some people to our room as they are from the Engineering field. That is the moment where I realize, we are being assigned to wrong room !

When it was my turn, I get into the room and saw two interviewer. One chinese and one malay man, both seems to be high officials from Sime Darby. I gave them my resume and showed them all my certificates and qualification. They start the session, by asking me to describe about myself and would I accept work that in the manufacturing division and relocation to places such as Melaka, Johor or Penang. Then they realize I was a Bioscience grad and I should not be in their room ! But they said it is ok and we continued on with the interview. As they were flipping through some of my certs, they the cert I received from SDTC. Then, they knew I already have experience working for Sime Darby related companies. Hence, they cut the interview short and we finished it within 10 minutes. Another suprise again, probably the shortest interview I have ever attend.

Done with the interview, I talk to Danny and Wen See abit before heading back to the room to meet up with Jian Pen. Then at 11.00 am, I rush down Legend Hotel and get back to The Mall where I bought my favourite Mocha Berry from Starbucks before heading to UTAR to pass up my yellow form for convo. Then at 3 pm, I went to LCCT to catch my flight to Singapore and I reach Singapore at 4.30 pm. Took a long rest for that day as I need to attend Temasek Holdings interview on the next day. Will blog about that later.

Post Phuket Life

Phuket graduation trip is over. It was a great trip, and the 10 of us spend some really great time having fun, playing around in Phuket. Something that I would remember for life and I have placed the souvenir (the plate with our photo) from Phi Phi Island on my table, as to remind me of those precious time spend with all my best friend. Some good friends did not join us for the holiday, but never mind, in future, we will organize another one this time around, somewhere better and nicer (and hopefully H1N1 scare is over by that time). I will post more about the trip later, as I am still waiting for pictures.

As the happy moments are over, nightmare is looming. I start looking for job seriously now and I have set a few target to achieve within 2-3 years. Well, thats my personal target and I am not going to reveal out here. However, after looking at jobstreet.com for a few days, I finally understand that the science in Malaysia is really doom compared to Singapore or Australia. People used to tell me how gloomy is the Science field in Malaysia, but I was rather optimistic in the past that the government will create job opportunities, private institution will come and invest in Malaysia creating new jobs and others... However, this few days make me realize that the Science field in Malaysia would require another 10 or maybe 15 years to develop. Even in recession times, Singapore is still hiring biological science talents, while in Malaysia opportunities do exist but much lower compared to Singapore.

Not to forget the pay of a lab technician in Singapore is about SGD 1800 - SGD 2400. Junior rank scientist can get a pay of about SGD 2500 - SGD 3200. However, in Malaysia, lab technician might only receive RM 1500 monthly, while junior scientist get paid about RM 2200-RM2700 monthly. This seriously make me to reconsider, without a master degree, should I continue my path in R&D or seek my opportunities elsewhere. And yes, to me passion in work is important, but the amount of $$$ they willing to pay me takes the highest piority.

Due to this, I'm now reconfiguring my future. A lot opportunities that interest me lies in other field. Banking and Finance, Food and Beverage Manufacturing and Business Development. I major in Biological science, but I know there are science/engineering graduates working in bank and doing quite well. On the other hand, F&B do hire science graduates, but going into their manufacturing line if not QA/QC, is like, totally not related to science at all. While Business development, well.. I have no idea..

Well... I still do not know what I want in future. Succesful, Powerful and Moneyful.. definitely. But, how to achieve that, and I should go into what field to achieve that ? Haha. No idea at all. I have a great interest to pursue master degree in Australia, but I do not wish to use my dad's money. Its a huge investment on me, particularly with Australia rate at RM 2.77 -> AUD 1. I have been thinking that I should work first, den continue to apply for scholarships and postgraduate position. If I got it, den I go, if no, den stay put and work. But is that a good way ? Or, should I, once start working, den forget about postgrad. Lol. This is something for me to ponder about for the next few days.

Past few days....

Over the last few days were pretty busy for me as I have plenty of chores to be done and getting everywhere to get some stuff ready for the much anticipated Phuket trip. I have just received my first contact lens on Wednesday and now I am wearing it and trying to get used to the rules of wearing contact lens. At first, I thought the whole idea of wearing it is cool, but after using it for 2 days, I felt like crushing it due to the troublesome. But I am patient enough to get used to it and ensure it would be part of my life for years to come.

*My Toric lens - burned a whole in my pocket =.=*

On Thursday, I brought my bro to the dental. He was supposed to undergo a small surgery to remove part of the gum and do some "dental term" operations on his tooth. I'm not sure on the exact details on what should be done, but when I was accompanying him in the room, it reminded me of my primary school life. Even I'm not the one undergoing the operation, the smell and the situation really scare me a bit * I have phobia abit when it comes to dental*. Hahaha.

*My bro unwillingly to post for a photo after his operation*

I have a very dark primary school life. Every year when it reaches that season, I refuse to go school. I hate that rubber smell and I fear the drilling sound. If you have a similar dental record as mine, then you would have probably know what am I trying to describe here. The season I meant over there is the period where nurses from the Health Ministry were sent to school to inspect these poor kids on their oral health and their teeth. And being the lucky one, I'm always shortlisted as one of the many kids that require further dental treatment - filling, extraction and bla bla bla.

I still remember my first time, yes blardy first time undergoing that stupid filling process. The ministry nurses were harsh and the whole process took about 2 hours. After everything was done, I barely can open my mouth and it was so painful that I couldn't bite anything harder than french fries. That time I don't know that filling process ain't supposed to be that pain. Must have been some other injuries caused by the nurse onto my poor teeth. During my 6 years in primary school, I have undergone countless times of filling process but luckily not the extraction process. I admit, that I'm a little bit lazy when it comes to oral health which resulted in the similar nurses meeting me so many times that they can remember my name. Hahaha.

However, things starts to change when I get into the secondary school. I'm not a regular visitor to the particular make shift dental hall thou I'm still getting call for some minor filling. Reason for these changes could be due to the less intake of sweets or chocolates as I grew older and my regular visit to dental. Today, I visit my dentist *leng lui :P* twice a year and most of the time, only minor fillings were required. Other than that, I am much more conscious about my oral health due to too much Science lesson. Hahaha.

After sending my bro home, I went on to Curve with friends for some Espirit Warehousesale. Lots of people but old stock. Thou its quite cheap considering some Tees (I HAVE A FEW OF THEM !!!) were priced at RM 39.90 (original price was RM 99.90, RM 149.90). I didn't buy any of it since I have quite a lot of Esprit shirts in my wardrobe.

Then while doing shopping at Curve, I spotted this really cool looking, sport sunglasses. Bought it with a discounted price of RM 80, which is rather cheap considering it has a UV400 glass with extra coating.

*Haha, me with the new Ideal sunglasses*

*My uncle's sunglasses - hahahaha*

The Phuket preparation is almost complete as I have changed my RM and SGD into baht and I have bought most of the stuff in my checklist. The remaining stuff I think I would buy it tomorrow with HL or together with Sean. Haha. Thats all for now, 3 days till Phuket ! I just can't wait for it ! Yipeeee !

King of The House

Arhh, my mom went outstation for a few days together with my aunt. I'm left a home together with my siblings and my dad who wont be home so early due a "mega project" on going in his company.

So, I became the King of the House. I command and everyone shall listen to me. Muahahahaha *evil*.
The good thing about mom not at home scenario was that I was given a lot of freedom, and no one is there to brag me about what I do, when I should bath and bla bla bla. However, the catch is, I have to do the housework, together with my bro and sis, something that I don't usually do at home :P.

To satisfy our hunger, my mom gave some money to Khai Hong, so that he can buy us food for lunch and dinner. Usually, I would just ask him to buy me anything, but this time around, I decided to have some fun in the kitchen and start cooking my own meal, something that I haven't done for quite sometime. I don't think I have excellent cooking skill, but I think I am still capable of cooking my own meal to ensure my own survival :P. Hahaha.

So, on the first day, I woke up a little bit early which is around 11.30 am *holiday weh, that is considered as early !". The first thing I think about while brushing my teeth is my favourite Korean mee, which I have just happened to restock it in Singapore. It is actually a seafood Korean Mee, so I search the fridge for some ingredients to cook along with it. I fried an egg, 2 cheese sausage to eat together with the Korean Mee. I also added pork and prawn to my mee. My brothers and sister were lazy to join my madness, so they go tar-pao chicken rice.

*ta da, my Korean Mee + Cheese Sausage + Fried Egg + HL low fat chocolate milk*

That night, I brought my bro and sister + cousin for a movie in One Utama. Haha. It seems to be the first time I bring so many kiddies for movie. Since its a kidies outing, we decided to watch Monster versus Alien 3D. Herm, quite a funny show, thou I think it is a bit overated. Lol. Went for rounds of yam char session with old friends and balik rumah tidur....

On the second day, hell, its so boring ! Started to know how great my mom is when she handle all the housework by herself. Its not the first time I stay at home alone or with my siblings only, but this time around, I'm enjoying my holiday and thus my mom entrusted me to take kao tim all the housework.

After getting the laundry done, and cleaning up my living room, I am darn tired d. Called friends out for a dinner but most of them were either busy or sick *yeah, a lot ppl fall sick lately, sick season kot*. So I decided to do something I haven't been doing for quite sometime, go shopping ALONE. Hahaha. At first, I dont really feel like going out, but after considering the amount of stuff I want to buy and haven't buy yet, I decided to head to Mid Valley.

Now, it could be a little weird when you go shopping alone especially when you have XY chromosome. Why I call it weird, cause I just felt weird :P. But, I set my objectives right before I step my feet onto Mid Valley. I know what I want, and I am going to get it and head home. Upon reaching Gardens, I head to Starbucks to buy myself a grande Dark Mocha Berry, and I go get the stuff I need. The result for the night ? Fruitful :P. Bought a new T-shirt, a new beach pants and a new slipper.

Muahahahahaha :P

The damage ? Haha, RM 300 ++. Worth it ? Herm, quite geh, since most of the stuff also got discount. But the most important thing is I managed to satisfied myself :p. When I reach home, I'm unaware that my mom was already in her room. I slept at 3 am ++ and woke at 9.30 am today, only to find that my mom was home. Luckily she din see those stuff I bought, if not sure kena cekik. Hahaha.

p/s: 5 more days to Phuket. Hopefully everything will be alright and goes on as planned.

The First Post

It's my first post in this brand new blog. I have decided to abandon my previous MSN space blog and starts a new one representing my new journey into the so call working life. Haha. Hopefully I can use this blog to keep in touch with most of my good friends from university and those whom I know for years since primary or secondary schools :D.