Posts

Reality Strikes

So, it has took months to sink in but I believe reality has finally struck, no longer you are a student anymore, no longer are you in London any more and... environment and circumstances changes. Venturing into the working world is never a simple step and you leave behind many things. But, hey, this is life, we grow from our non-schooling to schooling age and now we're in for making our own money. It depends on what personality you have, everyone has their own way of achieving things. If its the corporate world you want to survive in, then you have to get your views across. Simple to say all this things, but terribly challenging to execute. Especially when it comes to relationship, many relationship falls at this phase. There may be many things involved: being saint minded, being logical, being realistic and being sensitive. Whichever the category, embrace it :) All this for the name of love and passion. 

Time's up in Sahabat, Lahad Datu

4 months I'm back now? Man, I miss London so much, especially Audrey. I guess I have to make do with what I have and work towards achieving my goals. It has been a fulfilling 2 months here in Sahabat Oil Products. I believe I've learnt almost everything that I should - of course, one can never stop learning. With a week left, I will hopefully make full use of my time here. Completing proposals I am making, learning more about a few things I left out (Boilers and polymorphs ) before moving on to my next role in the marketing department. At least now, I know what refining and fractionation of palm oil is all about. More importantly, I know what the differences of these raw materials and products are about. An achievement (self praise is no praise) that I'm proud of is that I have now understand my bosses words during assemblies - yes we have assemblies with the staffs, 80-90% of it. In my first day, i barely understood what he was saying, nevermind the language but I just ha...

2 months into work and life in a refinery

So, its has been 2 months since I started my new job and 1 month into my first assignment. First month in FGV was really interesting, besides meeting the management team, I was with the marketing team of consumer products for a week. We made visits to fragrant houses, packaging lines and frequent meetings with design teams. It felt like PouchThis! all over again. You could really see the difference when someone is pitching a design to you. Well, a week after the marketing work was CNY before I headed to Sahabat, Lahad Datu. This felt really like an internship where I had to learn everything within a short time. Again, it was really interesting because I have no clue whatsoever about the Palm Oil Industry. So, after sorting out my training schedule with my boss, I went on full speed. It felt like I've learnt a lot after 4 weeks BUT looking back now, it sometimes feel like I could have learn more with the given time. However, I am happy to say that I can describe the whole process to...

Sabah and Ideas

After a first CNY celebration in Malaysia in 4 years, I am off to Sahabat, LAhad Datu for my first placement in the FVOP refinery. It was an eye opener al-together. I spent the weekend at Audrey's for CNY before heading off on Monday to officially embark on my first duty. First stop, the airport - it is as small as an LRT station in KL. Simple, no conveyor belts for luggage, just a simple raised platform for luggage. Small waiting area and 2 scanning system, that's all. All the more efficient and tiny, but it costs RM 186 a single way from KK to Lahad Datu, that's extortion. My boss - Mr Abdul Ali was very welcoming where he drove his 4WD to pick me up and treat me to a wonderful Chinese meal with his wife and colleague. YES, Chinese Meal in a Chinese restaurant. So here we are, in a smaller town compared to the big cities, and there is so little racism that a Malay can eat openly in a Chinese restaurant and calls it the best restaurant in town. Mind you, even police offic...

A momentous start to a new career ?

Gone were 4 years of education, dreams hanging in the air, ideas floating directionless... I have had to leave my beloved ones and friends in London to head home for a new start. Still unsure if it is the best option, but certainly one that is worth trying. It was a sad departure, but life carries on and we craft out the best for NOW and the future :) Thursday 8:00am - Felda Global Ventures office. A day which carried significant meanings. I was a new employee for FGV, the far sighted company in Malaysia. It was extremely interesting to be given the chance to meet top management of all Felda subsidiaries. The rest of the week up till yesterday, was the same. Endless meeting, like a friend quoted, I am a sponge at the moment soaking in as many information as possible. Working time 815-1715, what can you ask for? Only on two occasions I have had to stay till 7 and 8pm. Nevertheless, I am mastering the art of high efficiency, i.e. making full use of every single second. This though, is su...

Weekly Notable

Another week filled with exciting events 1) Imperial College Freshers Fayre Got kicked out of my own university doing PouchThis! promotions. Imperial is adamant and strict about promotions and it is considered littering or assaulting students while promoting. What bullshit for one of the smartest universities in the world. They kept stressing and threatening police may arrest which in all honestly, the rights of an individual is way too much that's why they couldn't do anything during the London riots. Even the security man can barely run after someone, all he knows is how to flash his ranks where in fact he has no power at all. The sole reason I left after a lot of debating with different union people is because I am from that uni and I do not want to put them in trouble or affect their job. Enough said though, very typical way of doing things for the Brits. This is just one case and I do not wish to hurt any party but mentioning this above. 2) PSW application I have gotten my...

Airport send off, meetings and being helpful

Was in the airport for 2 consecutive days marked with sending Caleb off, helping someone which brightened up my day, picked my cousin up at the airport followed by picking Audrey up in the early morning. 1) Sent Caleb off on Thursday, 8th of September, 2011 - marking the end of a milestone and the start of another. Well, it was a good bro chat and as always, we've sent each other off and travelled together for many years now. Loads of planning and motivation to do from my side but enjoyed the 4 years thus far. 2) Met with a lady name Lydia who's a jewellery designer (part time) and also a band player who was touring the UK. Saw her struggling to book into a hotel, tried in vain to withdraw money because her credit card, debit card and cash cards weren't working. She was using the public phone when I decided to ask if she needed some coins. Thought she could use a few to make her night better. Found out she's from the states on a stopover for the night and was trying to ...