Entering The Working Life

So. It's now official - I'm gonna have my very first day of work tomorrow!!!

It's gonna be a sales position in a consulting firm. And I must say the story of how I got this job was rather interesting. But first, I'm just gonna give some brief background on the company.

I don't want to name the company publicly like this, so I'm just going to call it 'The Company'. The Company is a Malaysian-based, small consulting firm with only about 17 staff. It has associates and consultants based in New Zealand, Singapore and South Africa. Its main business activities are providing Training and Corporate Social Responsibility.

To start from the beginning - I consulted my dad, did a bit of self-searching during my internship at his company, and decided that I want to base my career on management consultancy with a focus on CSR. So, I googled "CSR Consulting company Malaysia". Found a few companies through this technique and checked out their websites. Then I did the mass emailing accordingly to each company expressing my interest in the field and enquiring whether they had any vacancies or not. The Company, obviously, was one of them.

I got a reply from The Company, stating that they felt my passion through my initial email and was interested in meeting me in person. We went through several Q&A email sessions and I finally was invited for a first interview. Yay!!! The first interview was with a senior staff, who was really friendly and just super easy to talk to. The interview with her was so different compared to the others I did, in the sense that the entire session really did feel like we were getting to know each other (me and The Company) rather than me being assessed.

Then, a second interview was scheduled with one of the two founders of The Company. However, it ended up with me being interviewed by BOTH the founders and of course, I was thoroughly grilled. I got rather flustered at one point actually but luckily didn't screw anything up. To the end of the interview, I was then informed that they were actually overstaffed at the moment. DUN DUN DUN. I was thinking, "SERIOUSLY? Then why waste each other's time? Sighhh.." But then, they said that their way of running their business is such that they have high respect for employees who they deem trustworthy and dedicated. It was only because I was recommended by that particular senior staff, they agreed to meet me. Then, they explained their company culture with it being a less hierarchal-based organization, and that they have strived to create a family-community-feel in their working environment. In short, it really did appeal to me and further strengthened my hopes of joining their company.

I was told to wait for a few moments while they discuss whether or not to take me in. And I must say, that was the most excruciating five minutes of my life. Of course, they said yes - they said that it was because they intend to grow the company internationally and to do that, they needed core competent staff which will take time to nurture and train. Seems like I may fit the bill and so they were willing to take me in. I was undoubtedly flattered of course!!!! Then, it was on to drafting the contract of employment. I am to start in a sales position but was also informed that they customarily do not keep employees stagnant on one job role and that I will have to be flexible and willing to do other work as well - which was what I really wanted anyway. To have the opportunity to learn anything and everything!!! So I must say, it really did feel like a fairytale ending to my job seeking efforts.

BUT, the story doesn't end here. The Company had blurry rules about staff compensation in the sense of work-related cost, and I would have to provide my own laptop as they do not provide any to staff. My current one is literally breaking apart at the sides and honestly will not hold up long for everyday use especially with having to carry it everywhere. To not provide staff with tools for the trade felt a off to me but I am willing to overlook it as long as they are willing to compensate me if I were able to perform. Also, the initial contract of employment included a certain clause which I was extremely uncomfortable with and would not have accepted that job with it in. I raised the issue to the two bosses, and was sort of ping-ponged between the two of them but with promises that they are willing to look into it. It was nearing the CNY holiday then and everything was just going crazy. But long story short, they agreed to remove that particular clause entirely and modify the contract.

I was so grateful for their time and willingness to accommodate me!! The effort placed into amending the contract was rather intense, especially due to the many other commitments everyone involved had due to the CNY holiday coming up and deadlines flying all about. So, I was mightily heartened by how accommodating and considerate they were to my requests. I think that this shows that they are really rather keen on wanting me in the company even though beingoverstaffed!!

So, here I am. Going in for my first day of work tomorrow. Hoping that things will work out and I may find it to be my dream job after all. Wish me luck!!!

Of vegetables, stalk and roots.

Kangkung. The hottest topic right now in Malaysia it would seem.

And rightfully so after that poorly thought-out statement yesterday by our Prime Minister. Not only has my social media been flooding by the issue, an article on it actually appeared on the BBC Website. 

People, that gap of lifestyle between country leaders and the people they govern doesn't happen only in Malaysia. You have to admit that with their position and responsibility, of course they will have different lifestyles compared to the people. A richer, more comfortable one, no doubt. But we cannot go around blaming them for it, nor should we be condemning them for it.

On the other hand, with all the privileges and power, leaders should and must understand the lives of their people before they can properly govern them. This move must be sincere and from the heart, not just pretty words or actions suggested by "advisory teams" as a marketing or image-boosting strategy. It is a leader's responsibility to care about the welfare of their people. This short sentence is not an easy feat - as it is human nature to lose sight of the things that matter most when they are in a comfortable and relatively easy lifestyle. It is oh so easy for their focus to shift towards retaining the power, position and lifestyle they are currently have instead of what they first set out to do - improving the welfare of their people.

Coming back to the issue at hand. Yes, it is a disgrace. Yes, it is unthoughtful of leaders to be issuing such insensitive and insincere statements. Yes, one may say we have the right to be angry and hurt.

Then again, we should not let ourselves be carried away with emotion as well. Stop and think. It is not the actual statement that we should be primarily concerning ourselves with. I see all the posters and statements all over the social media, attacking the Prime Minister and his take on kangkung, such as the one above. I fear that there are some, especially with the increasing presence of the younger generation on the internet and social media, who are easily influenced and do not have the insight to rationalize and understand what is truly going on. From what I see and with all that emotion flying around, it is extremely easy to instil the concept of hate towards the Prime Minister for his insensitive comment and so easy for people to label him as 'stupid' or just to hate him in general. And I am truly saddened by this situation.

"This kangkung obsession is fast becoming a laughing stalk," tweeted comedian Kuah Jenhan. "Lettuce get to the root of the problem. We have mushroom for improvement."

The above is taken from the article on BBC. Albeit the jokes, he's right. It is the root of the problem we should be worrying ourselves about and not the stalk. I really hope for people to think twice before forming a conclusion. Think deeper and see for yourselves what is really going on. What is really the issue at hand? What should we be concerned with? What should change and how?

Also, for those who do understand, I hope you also think twice before spreading emotionally-filled messages out onto the internet or social media. Without knowing, you are influencing others. You may argue that there is nothing wrong with expressing yourself. Freedom of speech and all - true and I agree. But please, do be aware of the audience of your 'venting site' - you may be an unaware and unwilling associate of the group of people spreading hate just for the sake of it. 

My hopes for everyone reading this does not only apply to this kangkung issue, but also to everything else on social media. I've always felt that most of us are not aware how influential we can be on the internet - especially when we group together. 

Just realised how I've rattled on - not my original intention but feels really good to get things off my mind. =)

The Budding of my Career

Had multiple interviews already so far and I've had my fair share of interesting experiences.

• Finding out that the job specifications of the position I applied for isn't really what they claimed it to be
• Walking up to dodgy-looking offices of international companies
• Being notified on the spot to go back for a second interview 
• Being introduced to so many different types of organizational structure and culture.

Thing I learnt most was - not only am I being interviewed for the position. I really must know what I'm getting myself into. To do that, I'll have to interview the company, know the right questions to ask.

The highlight, of course - was an extremely enticing offer for a sales position which included a salary which was, I would say, almost double of the average fresh graduate's pay in Malaysia. Unfortunately I ad to spend crazy hours on the job - 14 hours a day!! With a minimum of 3 hours on the road. Also, other than the opportunity for networking and the extremely seductive salary, I didn't feel the passion to take it up. So, I turned it down - with a rather heavy heart looking at the salary offer - which didn't even include the relatively high commissions I would be getting!!

But today, I am glad I did. So very glad actually. =)

Officially made a decision today. On the company I'll be joining. Not going into details here though. Gonna leave the story-telling for another entry.

But yeah, I'll be starting on the 10th next month, after a week of celebrating Chinese New Year. (so nice of the company to allow me to come in later so that I can enjoy it fully - finally, after 5 years!!)

The Next Big Step

2014 - An amazingly significant year for me for the many many reasons below.

• Moved out of my second home, Newcastle.
• Leaving behind the student status I have held for the past 16 years - I'm definitely going to miss all that discount perks!! 
• Getting to spend all kinds of events in Malaysia with the family, which I have missed out on the past 5 years (New Year Eve, Chinese New Year, family birthdays, etc)
• Out into the working world, setting out to really build my career and future

So yeah, a fresh new start it is!!!!!

Since I got back to Malaysia last month, I have been job-hunting while helping out as a trainee at my dad's place. So grateful to have the opportunity to do that. To gain some working experience instead of waiting around for invitations for interviews. 

So far, I've helped edited the business ethics code, proofread various marketing and internal material, drafted the Corporate Social Responsibility statement and two strategic proposals related to CSR and prepared rudimentary introductions of marketing concepts and tools. Learning so much everyday and slowly found my area of interest - CSR. Thus, I am extremely thankful for my dad and supervisor for providing me the opportunities in this field, to allow me to realise that my previous academic interest during my masters can actually be the focus of my career now.

Already had some job interviews, waiting for the rest while on the look out for more potential target employers at the moment.

Wish me luck!!

The Great Gatsby

Just watched The Great Gatsby with Nancy.

It was such an amazing movie!!!! Was a while since I last watched a good one as this. Enjoyed every minute of it!!

Started off with the attraction of a rich life. The extravagance. The glamour. The parties. The wine. The beauty.
It was portrayed so wonderfully!!! Colours and laughter everywhere. The high they get, and the low that comes after...

Then there's the contrast of the blacks. The mining field. The dirt, poverty and sickness.

Finally, the carelessness of the rich. How uncaring they can be. How selfish they are. How cold life can be.

The movie left me feeling so heavy inside. My chest felt like a stone was crushing it and I had no way of lifting it up. Then again, that's a sign of a good movie, no?

Before I watched the movie, I never thought Leonardo as handsome/hot before. Not even when he was in Titanic. Charming, definitely. But never did find him attractive.

BUT. The way he acted before meeting Daisy, his love in the movie - was so real. Made me feel for him. And that scene when he was about to meet her over tea - the intense look in his eyes. Totally took my breath away!!!!

There was this line in the move. "...in a way that every young girl wants to be looked at sometime"

SO VERY TRUE!!! 

*melts

GE13: Black with the promise of a better tomorrow

Today, 5th May 2013 was Malaysia's 13th General Election.
For the first time ever, I started noting and actually caring about the politics back home.

Before this, I always thought that it had nothing to do with me. That it is something to far away that my one vote doesn't matter. And there's that issue of accountability as well. Everyone else around me wasn't talking about politics. To us, nothing else mattered other than school, who's dating who and all the other trivial teenage issues. Back then, the biggest politics to me was office-politics in school. That was about it.

Maybe it was because of my young age then?
Maybe its because I'm finally of voting age now and is therefore more relevant to me?
Maybe its cause of the circulating stories and issues on the social media?
Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't. But that isn't the point now.

Facebook and Twitter was bombarded with news of the election. Even Whatsapp messages from the family back home were filled with election-related stuff. At first I was still rather nonchalant about it all. Then, things started to pick up. Then I noticed actual, deep-rooted problems that the government must answer to. Things indicating that a change is needed.

Unfortunately, there is alot of party-sided rage and emotional rants everywhere. Some took this election too far. I guess you can blame both parties for starting the spark of trouble, playing with the emotions of people. But it is still the people who fall for it. I fail to see rational, clear-minded rallying - only in a few small cluster of people. To mention a few better ones which were less hot-headed, this note and this video.

Another thing to note: This anger and rioting I see in the streets of Malaysia over this election - makes me wonder if any party actually wanted them to happen? BN as to scare people not to vote for the opposition by saying chaos would ensue? Or the opposition using them as prove of BN's cowardice and lies?

What stood out were the cries for change. "Ubah" and "Ini kalilah".

So ambiguous. Do people really cry out for a change in governance, in a change for a better future for the country? Or are they shouting these words in hopes of overthrowing the current ruling party, in hopes of teaching them a lesson for monopolising the country since independence? One may not notice a difference. But there is.


Today, I woke up expecting to know the results (due to the time difference). But votes were still being counted and I was hooked onto websites, trying to get live information as soon as possible. Clicking the refresh button every once in a while. As expected, there were the fraud accusations. Fading indelible ink, 'importing' foreign voters, ballot boxes appearing at midnight, the infamous power outage and recounts. How much of it is true? How much is just the opposition's struggle for power?

At the end of the day, BN remained victorious. I must admit, I had hopes for a different outcome. To see if the other side can do better, to give them a chance. But, that won't be happening this time.

Disappointment drowned everyone I know. Again, Facebook and Twitter were full of it. Rants, accusations and swearing even. Then came the profile picture blackouts. Some changed it to signal their disappointment in the so-called 'democracy' of Malaysia. Some showing disappointment of the election outcome. Some just to prove they are taking part in the election-fever, not wanting to miss out.

Me? I changed it in mourning. Mourning for a loss of what I hoped for. Mourning for what it could have been.

Then, came the writings. The expressions of the bright-minds of Malaysia. Here they are.

A status by Wong, A.

A note by Tee, S.R.

And here, a few sentences I particularly liked.

Sweeping overnight change within a nation of 28 million is simply unrealistic. If one pauses to consider the numbers, the changes taking place in Malaysia cannot even be described as marginal or incremental -these are significant jumps. They are real and that shouldn't be overlooked in favor of 'winning' outright. 

The rakyat is unhappy with the direction that the country is headed towards and want passionately for change to take place. But how has democracy died tonight? Surely the fact that we can this much is the very fact that demonstrates that democracy is well and alive in Malaysia. 

Black with the promise of a better tomorrow.

Never, never, forget this: Barisan may have formed the government but we are still the people. Malaysia is still bloody us, not Barisan, not Pakatan. Us.

This is not the time to be pessimistic. Instead, I'm grateful.
Grateful for this insight into my country's problems, worries and future.
Wanting the government to realise the power the people have, and the need for a deep reform.

Also, today led me to realise how much I really do love my country. My international friends here asks, "Why don't you just leave the country already?" "Just migrate."

I must say, I am not prepared to give up on it. It is my home and I cannot imagine not being able to call it so. Government, politics aside, it is where I grew up, where my memories are, the place who made me who I am today.


There is still hope. I love my country and I will be prepared to fight for her in future.

Malaysia, 

Negaraku, 

Tanah tumpahnya darahku.

For you

She said,

"I'm only going back for Christmas"

"Oh, I'll be spending the lunar new year at home too."

"What are you doing over Easter?"

"Dear, send me a video will you? For my marriage."

I didn't see it coming at all. Not a bit.

Not that I don't want her to get married or see her happy. But, the guy she was with? I barely know him. And to be honest, I really do see her as one of my closer friends. To have a good friend getting married without me really knowing her relationship, kinda puts me down. I worry, I do. A little anyway.

Still, I'm so happy for her. Happy that she found the one she wants to and can spend her life with. Her partner.

Penny, 

I wish you the best of wishes. 

The happiest of marriage. 

The loveliest of relationships.

I'm not good when it comes to expressing myself. 

But, do believe me when I say, you are one of those I keep close to my heart. ❤