Here comes 2006…

New Year, does it actually have any meaning to you? New year, new resolutions… do you have any new year’s resolutions set for 2006? I know some people said ‘my new year’s resolutions are the same as last year’s. Well, I am one of those people *sigh*

So, there will be no new, New Year’s resolution for me. I’m still trying to achieve my targets for the previous 2 or 3 years. I’m so pathetic, I know. So, please provide me with a lot of motivation to get me going…

What are in your new year’s resolution list? Lose weight? Get married? Get promoted? Get a total makeover? What?

Mine would be… to lose weight of course. My project manager told me last night that I could use some exercise. Hmmm… that’s not the first indicator that I should shed a lot of KGs. Then today, my friend sent me a photo of me with her, God I look fat. Correction… God, I look so chubby (that sounds cuter, doesn’t it?) I look like a woman who has given birth to 2 or 3 babies. I hate that!

My second resolution is to learn to swim and be excellent at it, and third is to be able to converse daily in Mandarin. My current working environment requires this. I don’t want to feel left out and to laugh at jokes only because everybody else is laughing. I want to be able to understand what they are saying. I don’t want to feel stupid for the whole project duration. Isk… isk…

So, what do I do about it? Of course I did something. Can’t just complain and do nothing right? First, I enrolled in for a class for my second and third resolutions. My Mandarin class already started. Some Hanyu Pinyin’s words are hard to pronounce. My swimming class will start next week. I’ve already bought my swimming attire & a pair of goggles. I can’t wait to start. My project manager has a commercial diving license and another colleague have a diving license. I just might follow their footsteps. I’m so motivated!

Well, to lose weight, I’m afraid it’s up to my determination and willpower. This resolution has been in my list for years now. I haven’t been strong enough. I must make this happen this year. Hopefully this not so ugly duckling will turn into a gorgeous swan in 2006. Woohoooo…

Now that I make my resolutions public, why don’t you guys who have came across this post come back and check on me again at the end of 2006. See whether I’ve achieved all my resolutions or not. But pleaseee don’t be hard on me if I don’t, ok *wink*

So, to all of you readers out there, Happy New Year! Hopefully, 2006 will add more meaning to our lives. I wish you all success, love and happiness where ever you are.

HAPPY 2006 Y’ALL!!!

I'm Possible

vs.

I remember that my manager sent me this story a few years back. I got it again today from a friend. It's a good story to share. Hopefully it will inspire you as much as it inspired me.
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This is a real story that happened between a customer of General Motors andits Customer-Care Executive . Pls read on.....

A complaint was received by the Pontiac Division of General Motors:
'This is the second time I have written to you, and I don't blame youfor not answering me, because I sounded crazy, but it is a fact that wehave a tradition in our family of Ice-Cream for dessert after dinner eachnight, but the kind of ice cream varies so, every night, after we've eaten,the whole family votes on which kind of ice cream we should have and Idrive down to the store to get it.It's also a fact that I recently purchased a new Pontiac and since then my trips to the store have created a problem.....You see, everytime I buy a vanilla ice-cream, when I start back from the store my car won't start. If I get any other kind of ice cream, the car starts just fine. I want you to know I'm serious about this question, no matter how silly it sounds "What is there about a Pontiac that makes it not start when I get vanilla ice cream, and easy to start whenever I get any other kind?"

The Pontiac President was understandably sceptical about the letter, but sent an Engineer to check it out anyway. The latter was surprised to be greeted by a successful, obviously well educated man in a fine neighbourhood. He had arranged to meet the man just after dinner time, so the two hopped into the car and drove to the ice cream store. It was vanilla ice creamthat night and, sure enough, after they came back to the car, it wouldn't start.

The Engineer returned for three more nights. The first night, they got chocolate. The car started. The second night, he got strawberry. The car started. The third night he ordered vanilla. The car failed to start. Now the engineer, being a logical man, refused to believe that this man'scar was allergic to vanilla ice cream. He arranged, therefore, to continue his visits for as long as it took to solve the problem. And toward this end he began to take notes: He jotted down all sorts ofdata: time of day, type of gas uses, time to drive back and forth etc.In a short time, he had a clue: the man took less time to buy vanilla than any other flavour.

Why?

The answer was in the layout of the store. Vanilla,being the most popular flavour, was in a separate case at the front of the store for quick pickup. All the other flavours were kept in the back of the store at a different counter where it took considerably longer to check out the flavour.Now, the question for the Engineer was why the car wouldn't start when ittook less time. Eureka- Time was now the problem - not the vanilla ice cream!!!! The engineer quickly came up with the answer: "vapour lock". It was happening every night; but the extra time taken to get the other flavours allowed the engine to cool down sufficiently to start. When the man got vanilla, the engine was still too hot for thevapour lock to dissipate.

Remember: Even crazy looking problems are sometimes real and all problems seem to be simple only when we find the solution , with cool thinking. Don't just say it is "IMPOSSIBLE" without putting a sincere effort... Observe the word"IMPOSSIBLE" carefully... Looking closer you will see, "I'M POSSIBLE"...

What really matters is your attitude and your perception.

Mawi juara Akademi Fantasia.

That’s the news that made to the front page of today’s newspapers in Malaysia, Sunday 7th August 2005. Well, the third season of Akademi Fantasia had ended. But, the fever will continue next year. I don’t have Astro at home. So, I never caught the fever. And I don’t intend to. The fever is quite bad. The young and old caught it. If someone is suffering from it, you can forget to arrange an appointment with the person on Saturday nights. No teh tarik or roti canai can drag them away from Akademi Fantasia. Not even a box office movie at the cinema.

This year, the fever has gone confusingly crazy. Mawi, the flame boy of AF3. He’s all over newspapers, entertainment magazines, coffee shops, schools, offices. He’s everywhere. He’s not only liked by girls, but also women and men. I have a guy friend who has Mawi’s photo on his computer monitor. Mawi is a phenomenon! He hasn’t won the AF3 title yet, but he’s already pressured by gossips and critics. I’m not sure what it is about this guy. I’ve only seen his performance twice. First when he sang ‘Gadis Melayu’, second time, I cannot remember what song. His voice is good, but both songs didn’t suit him. I fall asleep out of boredom the second time I heard him sang.

But this guy is magic. What kind of magic, I don’t know. He captured everybody’s heart. Perhaps he has got an amazing pesona, an attractive charisma and full of positive auras. If I had really followed all the Akademi Fantasia’s 3 episodes, maybe I’ll understand.

Now he’s the champion of AF3. So, do you think his phenomenon will end?

A trip to Dreamland

Sort of...

Ever since she was a little girl, she has always dreamed about spending her time in this one particular land. Of all the countries in this world, she dreamed about the country which one long time in history, the people has invaded her Homeland and took its riches. She knows her beloved nation’s histories. But still, a little girl’s Dreamland doesn’t easily fade away. After 17 years, a trip to Dreamland was still in the top of her wish list.

Then, the opportunity came. She became excited. But silently hide her excitement. She covered it up, occupying her time with all the preparations. She still doesn’t have a suitable suitcase, a decent coat for the cold weather, does her shoes going to keep her warm enough? Or should she buy a better pair?

Wasn’t she nervous? Maybe she was. She should have been. But, I guess having the opportunity in such a short notice, nervousness never crossed her mind. By the way, she finally got to visit her Dreamland for two weeks!

The day came, and just like a blink of the eyes, she was on her twelve hours journey to Dreamland.

Travelling alone was never a good idea.

It was all so weird. When she arrived there, she neither felt nervous nor excited. It was just a normal feeling. She passed immigration. The officer was friendly. Then, struggling to lift her heavy suitcase off the conveyor belt, she couldn’t help thinking that all the stories about gentlemen of Dreamland are believably tales. Thank God the ladies are so helpful. She passed customs and quickly pushed her trolley towards the exit.

She couldn’t wait to see the Dreamland’s sky!

Oh, the sky so grey.

A warm welcome by an elderly gentleman from the taxi company put some colours to her first impressions. She happily discussed about Homeland with the gentleman who was so very fond of his 2 years stay there.

There was a mixed up in accommodation. But, she didn’t complain. Perhaps, the cool weather helped to keep her calm. She settled her luggage in the apartment and went to a nearby grocery shop to buy some food for the next couple of days.

Then, she called her beloved mother who was nearly asleep. Ooppsss… it’s almost midnight back home. After providing some update to her family, she bid goodnight, and settled for some tv.

Hmmm… how much she missed tv stations at home.

The weekdays at Dreamland were ok. But, there was nothing to look forward to. Luckily, there were some friends from Homeland that kept her happy and smiling. The people of Dreamland were ok. They were nice people even though there was some kind of barrier between her and the ‘Dreamlanders’. Well, she’s only there for 2 weeks. It’s not easy to make friends in such a short period. But, as long as she remembers, only three person stroke a friendly, non work related conversation with her. The friendly analyst, the cheerful receptionist and the warm security personnel.

The weekends were wonderful. She spent the first weekend with one of her best friends. It’s been such a long time since she last saw her. They went sightseeing the whole weekend. Went to the famous river, the big spinning ring, see the old man who is widely known of being very particular about time, beautiful gardens and important buildings. The flowers there are so wonderful even though it was almost at the end of their blooms. They filled her heart.

Dreamland’s building architectures were amazing. Old and different. Well, they have been there for hundred of years, I guess. There was no sky scrapper in Dreamland which impressed her. The transportations amazed her too. Homeland is still far beyond Dreamland when it comes to transportations.

The second weekend was occupied with shopping. That’s what girls are good at.

When the time to go home came, she unexpectedly felt relieved and looking forward to it. Although there was a small part of her that wished to stay in Dreamland longer, but the urges to go home was stronger. She was looking forward to the thirteen hours flight to Homeland. And fortunately, she had some friends coming home with her this time.

It has been almost two months since her trip to Dreamland. And right now, she still wonders what is it about Dreamland that makes her dreamt about it ever since she was a little girl. When she thought about it, the things about Dreamland that she missed were the cool comfortable weather, the nicely built apartment and the fact that there was no insect in the kitchen. No ants, no cockroaches, no lizards. Her foods were safe outside the refrigerator. And she misses all the beautiful flowers. That’s all. Other than that, nothing compares to Homeland. She could still bear with Homeland’s transportations.

One trip there was enough. She’s definitely not looking forward to a second one. There will never be a better place than home.

But, no complain. She has already got to fulfil one of her top wishes.

October Sky

I’ve always seen this one VCD at SPEEDY and Tower Records. But, I’ve never picked it up even though there’s a cute looking guy with a pretty 50s looking lady by his side, smiling on the cover. Both gazing at the sky… both looked happy & amazed. The title ‘October Sky’ didn’t caught my attention then.

But, I caught it on TV3 on Sunday a couple weeks ago. Keep me glued in front of the tv. The movie is so moving and inspiring. Based on true story, it showed us how dreams, beliefs & determination can alter our destiny. I believe behind every success stories, there are always unfortunate events, pessimist characters, depressing moments… but never stop believing in love, luck & friendship…

"Sometimes one dream is enough to light up the whole sky"

So true.

I’m not good at writing. What more writing a synopsis… So, here’s a synopsis I copied from http://movieweb.com/movie/octobersky

October Sky - In Coalwood, West Virginia in 1957, all the boys grow up to be coal miners, and Homer Hickam has no reason to think he'll be any different. Too small to earn a football scholarship, Homer has no way out of his predetermined life - until the Soviet satellite Sputnik flies over the October sky and changes everything. Homer's world just got a lot bigger. Though his father is a mine superintendent and has no greater wish than to see his sons follow in his footsteps, Homer dreams of bigger things for himself-above the ground. With the help of three of his friends, he sets out to build and launch his own rocket. Despite frequent misfires that nearly get them shut down, their successes inspire the whole town to believe that even in Coalwood, there's nothing wrong with shooting for the stars.

For those who are interested to know about the author, you can visit this website. http://www.homerhickam.com/

For aspiring writers, you’ll find some useful tips here.

Ganbate!

The Unsaid?

Ok... I know I named my blog 'saying the unsaid'. Meant to dedicate it for saying things I haven't been able or won't be able to express verbally. But, come on... there are also other interesting stuff I can write about right? There's always a need to express opinions, share ideas & excitements... letting go of frustrations. So, you may find that... occasionally there will be a mushy mushy sentimental post... but there will also be interesting stuffs here.

Just enjoy yourself. Your comments or commends are welcome. Be civilized ok. Have fun reading!