Graduation 2012

Comes the October wind again and its time for convocation. Stated the lecturer's FB status. And today, officially all of the friend in the same batch graduated. The first convocation that I witness or be around campus is in 2010, to see some friends that graduated earlier. Then 2011, was my year and 2012 I see it is the others turn. 

Life is such, that we need to put the puzzle together. God give you a bit of hint here and there, but for us to put all the jigsaw together at the end of the day to have any overview or a term that was constantly thrown nowadays, ' lesson learn'.

On the way to the graduation this morning, one signification line in the song 'Graduation' hit me it says

" As our life change, we will be friends forever"

It is very true that once we leave university,all our life have changed, due to these two reasons

1. Job
2. Location

Let it be interest, let it be family, friends, companions, opportunity, luck or so many other factors that could play a role. Ideally, nobody wants to be apart and doing things that they have no interest in, or nobody wants to be stuck in 2 hours of jam everyday and having to wake up and get back when the sky is already dark. 

Thus the first piece of puzzle today is all of us will go our separate ways, regardless we are happy with it or not, as for a fact I know 2 best of friends are not happy to be far apart from each other, where one is in Peninsular and the other is in the borneo part of Malaysia.

Then I went to breakfast in Puchong. Pei Se told me that she have a few items that she missed having in Puchong. So the both of us met the rest in the usual dim sum restaurant that we usually eat. Then the first significant person I saw was Crystal, as this is my first time I saw her since she have arrive all the way from Bintulu yesterday.

The second lesson here is the value of friendship. There are 3 of our friends graduated this time. Yee Kean, Yin Fung and also Pei Chin. For these three, few of us travel from far just to congratulate them in person. Sometimes it also about the money to travel, but mostly it about the heart. Taking time to spare with your friends. In a year of 365.5 days, how many days do we have to spare for gathering especially with everyone is working and annual leave are limited?

As I arrived campus, the 3 main person is not out from the graduation hall yet. Decided to walk around, to get the old feel in the campus while others are looking for flowers. There are a few familiar faces that I've bump into.But of all the old faces no would be other than Lynda. Don't get me wrong, but what do you feel when you got to know that most likely you won't see them again.

Going back then, when I've first met her in the meeting in Voices Club. She was a freshman/woman then, just joined MMU after her form 6. And the first few questions she asked was " How the hell I get through ?" as that time I almost half way in finishing my studies. Fast Forward to today, its her special day. She did get through with flying colours perhaps. Another good thing to hear is that she will be getting marry in 2 years.

Lesson number 3, there are a lot of people that we know, some we get close to, or some we just kenal kenal cina. But being able to remember the person, that I believe what makes yourself  different from others. Some you might have forgotten their name. 

In a nutshell, today's lesson is all about friendship.Will there be other occasion for all of us to gather again? I don't think so. Especially with the friends you make but in not in the close circle. Graduation is probably the time to say goodbye as sad as it sound. Maybe facebook would be a key tool. But when we will meet again? Maybe for a holiday, maybe when someone get marry? Who knows.... But as cliche as the saying goes.... " Friends are forever" 

Total Recall

Have you watch the movie Total Recall? If you do, sure you would remember the scene where the hero got to know about what happen to him in the pass via a video that he himself have recorded before he was abducted and wiped out all his memory.

It has been almost 2-3 months since I last blogged. I feel like this blog is something like the video in the movie Total Recall. Where I reminded myself, who I am and what I strongly believe in. And those that would take my memory away from this is the path of life it self. It is not saying that life path is bad, just that sometimes you are too caught up with your daily life, struggle to make it in your career, makes you just lost or forgotten of who you really are, forget about the child voice within.

Time and experience will certainly change a person. I personally go through this. On how I've changed my perspective. Taking for example leaving Bangsar from Klang. Grow up in a school and environment others would envy of, although none of us feel that we are a class above the rest. Just mention the word Bangsar sometimes make people feel inferior, I don't fully understand it until I move to Klang. Being is such strategic real estate area, which is near to town, it is appealing for the working class, and being so called the hip and happening with plenty of angmoh around, lots of the younger generation would like to boast that 'hey I hang out in Bangsar" rather than when you say Klang, people would associated it with the far geographical position from downtown KL. It makes them sound cool and better inside, although they might come from other place just to hang out there. You could really tell the different from those who is really from there and just 'hang out' there.

But now I spend most of my time in Klang or Melaka more than in Bangsar. Yes although all the friends do ask me to go over and meet up as how they put it that ' this is your hood '. I spend more time with the family more nowadays thus makes me understand them more. And this have changed my view, and also priority. Although my place is far from the hip and happening, but being far from all that have its blessing, which is more time with the family.

 This is a part of God's plan for me. Although I am not the strongest of christian believer. I feel that this is His, plan. When I move to Klang, I've complain and etc... but at the end of the 'struggle' He will show you the light, what is the blessing behind all that struggle. It is just a state of mind, if we were to open up our heart and mind and think of the positive things that come out of it.

Having said that, I have yet to know what is His plan for me in my career. Probably now is the 'struggle' stage. Yes work is alright now. But it is not how I imagine it to be. My pilot dream if I were to be realistic, from The Sun article that I read last week where there are 1000 plus cadet who are graduate is jobless, and the current status of my eyesight. Who am I kidding? myself? Statistic doesn't lie and yes I have yet to confront that matter and accept that it's virtually over. Certainly this statement does not and would not come from me if I were say 2-3 years ago.  But again, as I have mention earlier above, time will change a person. Working does give me the hard reality of life. Work certainly kills off the voice of the child within you. Apart from work, others decision also play a role that would effect you. Come September , I would certainly not be seating on the heir of the 150 million ringgit of annual turnover business.

I hope that in the end of the day, I could still stay positive despite multiple setbacks and see His plan , the bigger picture and eventual outcome for me like how I see it for my move to Klang.


 

Jet plane, where art thou?

So I decide to blog after a long hiatus. The blog seems quite quiet for the past few months, mine and also the rest of the gang. Probably they are too caught up with work. Would like to blog on my recent trip to Saigon, was quite an eye opener. But I guess that is for another sunshiny day.

Work today was bad. It's been like that ever since am back from my vacation. I did a few thinking especially during the dinner on the cruise ship when everyone was away dancing. But today, it really hit me. I was driving on the NPE and off to Sunway heading towards Kesas Highway on the way home. As I passing through the tunnel, with the giant Egyptian statue of Sunway Piramid welcoming me, I look to the sky as it was a sunny day. A firefly ATR was making a left turn after taking off from Subang, as I move along further, I saw an unusual flight, I think it is she, the A380. I know MAS is receiving it somewhere this time. And it was confirm when I go on the net.

Then it strike me, the mix of emotion of "WTF am I doing?" All the place I go ever seen I leave high school, planes are following me like a shadow. With the cadet plane in Melaka, where I admire it, from my 11th floor Ixora apartment and also from E-1-B where plane flew by day and night off , even when the walk to cyberpark, there is flight, flying onto the sunset. Are these sign? or God just teasing me of a sign " If you want it, come and get it! " or just "You can look at it, but can never have it".

Whatever the sign is, it does bring a dark cloud to my day. I don't think what I am doing now is any close to that target, that destination.It is just a rude reality check, and wake up call. I am not sure what will I do, if I don't get this chance. However I always would like to have an experience abroad. For those who know me, probably New York and London would be my choice. But how to reach to that goal?

It this the right way? sometimes don't you just wonder? I do, trained as an engineer, the best way always to know what is happening and what is it at the end of the tunnel. However I am still not certain if I am doing. Those who have walked through the tunnel, says just walk and don't think. But after almost a year of walking, and a below average KPI mark, regardless whatever review or praises, it makes me wonder if I am in the right way. After all, whatever matters is on the paper.

how fast

What is the fastest time clocked for 100m sprint? How long do you take to drive around a 5.7km circuit? How fast can you change your car tire? Formula one team take on average 9 seconds to change all four tires along with refueling the car. A 5.7 km circuit would probably take them 1.26 seconds to complete. On average they are running at 200km/h. Breaking from 200km/h to 0 km/h in seconds certainly the driver would experience high G forces. But that what they do for a living.

It is Formula One weekend in KL. A lots of glamorous events happening all across town. It is also chance for restaurant and F&B outlets to make promotions and people are out to socialize and have fun, after all it is the weekend. Probably the ferrari club gathers outside concorde hotel now in support for their team for Sunday race.

Last year, me too soak in the euphoria of F1 fever that hit Malaysia.We purchase the grandstand seat and go there for the qualifying race, race day, and also the concert, where we witness ourself aunties fight for Rain's sweaty towel.

After N number of try, Ah Phoon finally gather his courage

Meisiem and the model

Meisiem head leaning towards the direction of her heart

Before the race!

But instead of all the adrenaline rush that sport provide, I spend my time now trying to sleep at 10.55 p.m on a Friday night. That's how much things can change in a year. Have the time to live wild,young and free passed?

And of course the million dollar shot

Rant of frustration

Cav called on Fri night, was a surprise. She needs help on her assignment, as she is searching people to interview regarding the new Indonesian's maid policy. As her Datuk editor for xing xing newspaper wanted to publish the story by Sat.Thank God, things work out well and the news is out on Sat.

I am glad to help my friend whenever I could. To see them, satisfied with their job which means I be making some phone call to make their assignment happen, so be it. Guess that what friends are for. Other than Cav, Fiona also worked for Xing Xing. Both I've met at Brats. I guess its that they achieve their ambition, to earn a living and support themself by writing.

8 months coming to 9th month of working for, its been like a roller coaster. But for now, it is just plain frustration. That's the disadvantage of being in a trading company as you need support from the principal. Unfortunately for me, my principal is not the most helpful of all. Thus, the frustration when there is nothing much you can do. Clients already been found, convince, all the hard work have been done, but the time for execution have been a let down. I feel its down to two reason, either I am not good enough at my job to convince them to support, me or they are just to laid back and don't see Malaysia is a good market.

Took a leave, just to re-evaluate if this is a right path. Other than, frustration at work, things also don look so good at home. Tomorrow is another day, a start of a new week. Currently my evaluation, all the reason I could conclude is down to cash.  Lots people know I always wanted to be a pilot. But to be realistic, even Air Asia X is cutting their route, and even giant like SIA request their pilot to be on leave. That is how tough the outlook on  the airline industry. Thus my next priority is to make as much cash, like other people in the working world, or majority of us, asked, why do we work? to get money of course, as materialistic as it sound , but that is the fact.

How much will be enough? Right now I would say 300k, just to support myself through flying school. Or for me to afford an Audi R8 and a house.Then I'll be contented. But things might change, so they say. Perhaps I need more off days, to really think my path. Or perhaps, I need to work with Pei Se and Yee Kean again, although all of us work in 3 different companies now, I wish one day we all will be back again, like how we go though our degree year.

I know I've been a disappointment to Dr.Ong, Ms.Tan, 2 person that I feel really make a different in my degree years, especially during my final year. I do look up to both of them, although sometimes I don't seem fond of them. Dr. Ong who guided me through Mini-P, I still remember my e-mails to him on what to read on CdSe Quantum Dots during the holiday, just to prepare myself. As I would want to avoid other mini-p which involve programming as that was my biggest fear. The first time I enter his room to meet him with Yee kean and Pei Se, he goes " oh you are Julian". But the last conversation I talked to him during convocation as he asked me where am I working now, " oh selling properties? " just a disappointment in his tone, as if all his work to nurture me gone to waste. And so does Ms Tan, although her way is a typical engineer way to approach a human relationship - Results above the rest.  But I feel I won her over with my constantly being around and never miss a session for the project. But I definitely burn the bridge with her, when I turn down her job offer. Let it be, if she feel I refuse to help me- being one of her people or that's the last part of her deal to repay my effort in her project. Whatever it is, I feel thankful to her. 

Reunited and it feels so good

Past month - January has been quite fruitful in term of relationship. In my past post in few months or years back, I remember venting about a friend, who was literally my first friend here in KL. And how he keep on avoiding and FFK ( did not turn out for appointments) with us. At the moment I along with all our friends was really frustrated with him, as it is always been the 5 of us throughout high school. Macam lah boy band only.

Moving on 2012, I spend my new year eve this time welcoming in a more social manner, as compared to how I welcome 2011 with 2 boxes and pizza and with my Final Year Project on my computer. I went to Bukit Tinggi/Janda Baik with 2 of the boys and 2 more of our girl friends. From there we move foward and forgetting about our anger towards this friend and about him in general, and promise to commit to play badminton, one of our favourite past time every friday.

Then come the time for one of us to have his big day, wedding day. During the yamcha session after badminton, I suggest to my friend to invite him to the wedding. After all, it would be the last chance, and last hope or last throw of the dice to save the friendship. So he did. However the message did not get him until Out of the blue, the friend texted me to wish me Happy Chinese New Year. I feel it is a sign, thus I intervene again asking if he would come to the wedding, he did not notice the invitation until my text. Long story short, against all odd, even on the day itself, we have our doubts on him coming, as he always promise to turn up but did not. But this time he pull through.

Another event is more a family story. As I have this cousin which is much older than me. When he was young, he stayed with my family until he was standard, as his parents was going through hard time, thus my mom took him in. He was brought up along with me and my siblings. However, he grew up closely with my brother as their age is almost the same,and I was too young then.

My parents especially my father did have quite a bond with him. Their bond goes was back. And as hard headed, and how mat rempit he was during his secondary school days, and rebel days during his collage years, I know he listen to my parents and goes to them when he need advice or help. Even though they argue, he will still listen, no matter how unhappy he looks. Taking from him, who is also short tempered when ever anyone else try to lecture him, but my parents got a way with him.

Unfortunately something happen 2 years ago, between my cousin and my father. I personally feel it is a small thing. However, the ego of two grown man got the better of them.the cold war goes on for 2 year until this Chinese New Year. Till he wanted to go to his wife to be house for engagement. That morning, I confronted my mom and explain to her how I wish to intervene like how I did for my friend case earlier. She gave me an earful because she told me as if she did not try. But 30 minutes later she told my cousin to go up and invite my dad personally. And the rest like they say it, its history. Even this long weekend, my cousin and his wife is at my house almost everyday.

Although these relationships does not involve me directly, sometimes, I feel it is not always have to be about ourself, taking a step back from the spotlight, looking at others being happy, make me glad too. In addition to witnessing my good friend taking a step in marriage, and my brother and his girlfriend, seems to be having a smooth sailing one make me happy for them. Got me thinking, maybe it is time to look into my own matter, where is my direction will heading to. Rather it is personal or career.

Live like you were dying

That is the title of the song sang by Tim Mcgraw and the American Idol winner Scotty. It literally means living life to the max, as if everything gonna end. I feel I did it for the early 7 months of 2011 until uni life ends in June....

I went : 

Airplane flying 

Marathon running

60 minutes with a burger call "Goliath"

and love deeper

Spoke sweeter

and give forgiveness that I've been denying

And I hope someday you get the chance, to live like you were dying!

Happy new year, 2012. Says a lot from facebook or smses. Its the new year again, the Mayan's says it will be the end of the world, on 20th December. I still remember the way I've ushered 2011, where was on my way back to Cyberjaya from my Final Year Project in Melaka, got 2 regular pizza and continue work on it. E-1-B the house that I've rented for the past 4 years, are empty as the rest went to celebrate. For that 7 months, I've really work for my thesis. Although the outcome is not what I've expected, a B+, I feel it is a great injustice even after appealing. But like all the exams I feel that I've given my all, thus there are no regrets.

2011 have been a good year. but there are also a significant loss I feel. As only when I beginning to enjoy my time in university, time is up.And time to say goodbye. My wish is to have a meal each with those few group of friend of mine. Probably at Hb with the hostel friends, or SK hawker with the other gang, or just random crazy meal with the housemates, even the nasi lemak from indon with the roommate.

But life is never what you wish for. Now everyone on different path of life. How many will still keep in touch it will tell in few years. I always evaluate it, when 2 friends meet again after a long period, how "mesra" their relationship is, is it the same of they are out of topic to chat.

One of the most important thing I've learn for the past 4 years is 'Togetherness'. Friendship, Courtship, Family. Thank you all for making my 4 years special, hope we all can be together again. One day.

As for 2012, there is only one thing for certain, that I've know of, financial difficulty.