Beyond Brilliant - Hot Chocolate On The Go

Ever had that moment when you wanted a hot chocolate/coffee instantly? Like really immediate, “I want a coffee!” and 3 minutes later you have one in your hand. Or when you’re tucked in bed, so cozy, watching a series on TV and you want that hot chocolate, a mug or two during intervals.  

One that you can D.I.Y immediately, anywhere, anytime?

Have you ever thought of inventing a can of coffee, that you can drink cold or you can have it hot, whichever you prefer. All it takes is for you to just flip that can open and gulp down your chilled coffee, or you can just give it a shake, and 3 minutes later you’ll be sipping to a boiling hot mocha or even a good hot chocolate. That’s what I call product development!

Tell me this is BRILLIANT!

 

 So that's:

1. PRESS - Turn Upside Down, remove seal on base of can and press activation button
2. STEAM & SHAKE - Steam activation starts at 25 seconds. Shake can until steaming STOPS! Then turn upright
3. WAIT - Make sure the can is upright. Wait 3 minutes for the drink to get HOT. Open the can and enjoy

This is supposedly the technology to it. I don't know how to explain it, but I think this is an ingenious invention! Coffee on the go, anytime, anywhere!! Seriously, if you give it a go, shake shake shake, steam it, and drink, you'll understand my over excited-ness!

I've tried it, and hell yeah, it works! We were served this at a conference and boy oh boy, it was such a convenience to all delegates, Especially those sleepy ones, ahem! I think at one point, I bet people were looking at this invention more than they were listening to the conference! Pfft.

Now, I’m proposing for us to use this to serve to our participants at our upcoming YCM summit! =) What say you Fir, Aiman, Alee, Azah and the gang?

The Place For Fish Head Curry

THE PLACE FOR FISH HEAD CURRY - At Kampung Atap

So one of my colleagues proposed for us to have lunch there today, and boy was it really THAT damn good a meal. Since it was a department lunch, I didn’t know exactly how much everything cost in total, but I’d strongly recommend for everyone to go.

The fish head curry is a signature dish – must try. Such succulent white meat, so fresh and perfectly cooked in curry that settles nicely in your stomach. So juicy and so yummy, you just can’t stop attacking it! However, I’m not good at eating its eyeballs or even biting clean on the head. It somehow gives me the creep. I always think if I did eat their eyeballs, they’d come and haunt me. Plus, even before I try it, I’m already imagining how its juice will squirt out it is – scares me thinking of how it’s like if people ate my eyeballs.

Before

After 10 minutes!!

One advise though, you should eat with your hands! Like one of my other colleagues said, only then you will “feel the satisfaction”. Haha! I decided to be stubborn and used fork and spoon instead. In my defense, I’d rather not have my hands smelling of good curry when I go back to work :P The smell stays for long I tell you. So, if you have a big meeting after lunch, DO NOT eat with your hands! Don’t tell me I didn’t warn you.

Fried Fish

These prawns are seriously so fresh!

Squids!

 Juicy and crispy these fried chickens are, one is definitely NOT enough!

This wasn't top of the list, but still yums nonetheless!

We cleaned all the plates, and definitely went back to work with heaviest stomach and eyes, the fish head curry effect is insane! We were happy people :)

God's Greatest Creation - Baby Rifa's here

Today I'm a proud Mak Su.

After 41 weeks of waiting and anticipating, Rifa Ariq Khairi Nizar has decided to come out and see the world. Finally! I tell you, this lil boy is one very naughty lil rascal, so cheeky like his daddy - he made mummy go into labour and discharged out immediately after...twice! Yes, TWICE.

Into the labour room to prepare, and baby Rifa decided to tilt his head upwards, making it a 'complicated position' for mummy to do normal delivery. Discharged!

When doctor decided to do a caesar, baby Rifa just HAD TO position his head back down - as if ordering Doctors to erase the idea of an operation on poor mummy. Discharged!

So more waiting days and allowing many more raya open houses for Kak Fa and Abang E to attend.
Yes, Baby Rifa was supposed to come out on the first day of Raya! We even wanted to name him Syawal if he came out according to schedule. But even after Mummy was induced yesterday, he still did not want to come out up until this morning at 6.06am, 28th September 2010. Now, even then, he was so stubborn, the doctor had to vacuum him out this morning! I swear he's as naughty as his daddy :P

But with all that stubbornness and cheekiness, he still did not fail to melt our hearts when we saw him! :)

Now, that's 4 nieces and 2 nephews that I have already. More vomits, napkins, poops and pee time at family gathering!

So tiny, so delicate, so adorable, so fragile

Calm and composed macam his mum and dad and (ahem!) Maksu too of course!

Gorgeous Mummy and handsome lil precious

PROUD PARENTS!

Hopefully so, even when Rifa starts climbing walls and breaking glasses in the house - Let's give him 7 years, eh? 

Boys will aways be boys!

Maksu loves you Baby Rifa! :)

Starting Early To Be Our Parent's Dream Child

Remember those days when your parents dream of making you a world class gymnast, a 8th Grader (highest grade) in Piano and at the same time be able to perform a violin piece on world stage. Be the best ballerina and a champion swimmer. A national badminton player and even at least a state runner?

I started with swimming when I was 6 years old. Didn't get me anywhere, only up to the club level. Next.

I took up tennis and followed daddy to his weekly games at the club, but I think most of the time I laughed too hard that I have no more energy left to hit those tennis balls. Coach gave up on me. Next.

Started following mama and abang to the driving range. Hit some balls, and looked out to see how far I've managed to hit. Potential was there I think, but as a kid I did not see the "beauty" of hitting the ball and watch it fly. I made friends with abang's coaches instead.

I'm such a failure.

When I was 8, I started Piano. I'd say I did pretty well, but remember how it's every parents dream to have world class kids? So at 10, I joined gymnastic, and the rest was a beautiful history. Thankfully, I had a mother who has the most beautiful fairness on her skin, so driven to make me the best daughter giving my all in everything that I do and a daddy with the best height and greatest champion's mentality. Fortunately, I made it into the team and was then trained and coached to represent the Selangor state and my Malaysia in international meets. Priceless experience and the most precious 8 years of my life serving my state and country! :) :)

Now, I see my nieces being exposed to life the same way I was when I was little!

Uncle Jack coaching the lil nieces on Tennis 101 basics

Fast learner Sophie is!

and an excellent hit and posture from Lydia!

Reana being the most hardworking ball picker

Julia holding a tennis racquet even bigger than her

Half time!

Some motivational words from her other coach

Now it's game time!!!

Introducing...

My Lil Miss Diligent Line-Reader and

My Cutest Ball Picker

My darling playing "hits" with abang

and Uncle Jack teaching his really lousy cousin how to play too - ME :P

Today was such a good fine Sunday and I really needed the exercise after a whole weekend of eating and attending so many open houses, I swear! I have always loved a well-spent cousins-and-nieces day out at the court and I believe that I have finally truly understood the want of every parent to have 'the best kid in town!' today. I hope I won't be too hard on my own kids next time! 

Did I mention that I only made it till Grade 6 for Piano before I had the guts to tell my parents that I call it quits. Too much pressure to handle when you need to compete for the state and country, if you know what I mean :P Seriously, that wasn't just an excuse!

Where Your Dreams Are Theirs Too

When you're a working girl, it just means less time now. For everything! and it's not even funny.

Due to my love and loyalty for work, geez...I just spoke like as if I'm dating my work! Anyway, now that I've started work and there's so many events to attend to, I swear I'm running out of clothes! I never knew being a working girl, you need to have a lot of clothes. It's not a want. it's a NEED. And because I've not had much free time, this has happened...

which means, I can hear mama nagging reminding me to go and taylor make all these before the supply grows bigger!

YES!

Work + Girl = NEED a lot of clothes.

Trust me, I just understood this equation! I never did before this. At least not fully. I used to think the best shoes to go with my baju kurung were those Adidas/Nike shoes. Practical was the way to go y'all!

So today, abang, Ili and I made our appointment with Nurul and off we went to Mimpikita. A boutique so cozy, just off Jalan Telawi, opposite Pelita, in a yellow coloured building, run by the amazing Zulkifli sisters and so yellow that I swear you won't miss it! Just need to bukak la your mata besar besar. Confirm you'll spot it one! I mean come on, one big yellow house amongst all the white ones and you cannot spot it? Time to see the eye specialist isn't it? 

So after a lot of 

This...

...and this

...and this

...andddd this

Finally! 

I'm seated and ready to design! :) 

The Zulkifli sisters are amazing to work with. Throw in what you want, and they'll create the magical dress for you! You don't have ideas, they do :) Just like me! I was practically tapping on Nurul's intelligence to come up with different designs coz I was too lazy to think or I personally think that I might not have the brain space to, after working, nothing else gets stuck in the head, really! pffft...

Otherwise, I'd just blurt any bazaar ideas running across my mind, and on to the paper the idea went! I really like it if the sleeves are complicated. It kinda adds the little drama to it. So now, I'm very eager to see my dress all ready to be worn! My idea + Nurul's intelligence + BEST OFFER of all is that her prices are reasonable for a product so beautiful! I know I know, I have yet to wait for mine, but my instincts tell me that I will just LOVE EM! :)

So go pay them a visit and I assure you that you won't regret it. It's like Pringles when "Once you pop (into the shop), you can't stop (going there!) "

Meet Nurul's new staff now heading the cash management department!

and my Fashion Consultants! :)

(abang and kak long to-be)

Let's go iWatch!

I'm surprised at how strong I am this time - not tempted to buy that iPhone 4!

Maxis just had their midnight launch for iPhone 4 last night! But I was stuck watching Wall Street. Yes! A MUST WATCH but that'll be dedicated a different post considering that I went for the premiere night, so I shall not spoil it for the others! Anyway, today was DiGi's turn. People are so determined to get their hands on them, they even forego precious sleeping time just to be with the crowd.

Well, my best friend used to complain that she feels “naked” without a watch. She would also
(sometimes) complain when she forgets to equip herself with her mp3 music when doing
her runs. So much so that her other half got her an iPod nano recently.

So imagine the hassle of preparing for gym. She has to strap up her watch to her wrist
and then look for her iPod to pack it along with her other gym equipments – at the
same time having the risk of forgetting where she placed her iPod last and wasting time
looking for it.

So let’s go iWatch! My friend sent me this link at work, and boy oh boy.
Such a genius invention, don’t you agree? I’m already drooling just looking at this.
“So technology! ” I would say

A watch and an iPod at the same time. I LOVE THIS! So you don't have to keep remembering to pack that watch AND iPod now.

Not sure though whether it has water resistant properties like normal watches. Some fiddled with
it and apparently display is not as friendly as the ipod touch. Additionally, since it doesn't have
a home button, you'd probably need to touch the screen a few times just to move from page to
page. Still love it nevertheless! So cool!

Check it out on these links! Happy drooling :P

http://obamapacman.com/2010/08/apple-to-release-new-iwatch-ipod-nano-shuffle-update/

http://www.ithinkdiff.com/ipod-nano-can-be-used-as-an-iwatchjust-clip-it-on-a-watch-strap/  

We Want Better Internship Experiences Just Like Those Abroad, YES?

I'm doing a research, and I'm humbly calling for all to take 2 minutes to fill in this survey. It will be very helpful. Thank you! :) (click here)

Many of my friends have finally come home this year, but definitely not all are prepared to work here, in Malaysia. It can either be because of the work structure, in terms of learning experience being minimal, difficult to climb up and even salary. Face it, how many would truly work for a company that will give MASSIVE exposure but pay MINIMAL? Only minority make up this 'species', admit it already.

Let's face it, it's all out there. You hear so much about the brain drain issue, the overseas grads who don't want to come back to Malaysia just because, those working hard to get a PR abroad and working their ass off trying to pass those tests just so that they could grab job opportunity abroad.

Seriously, I truly believe that some of these are also the people who look down on Malaysia's effort to be a better country, and to have a better future. I understand our country has it's set of flaws, so, I ask, if our own Rakyat don't come home to help the country, don't convey their ideas for the betterment of their own 'tanah tumpahnya darahku', instead complain and criticise the baby steps that Malaysia is putting to be better and improve it's position, then who else will? 


I truly understand when us, Gen-Y complain about internship experiences here in Malaysia - part of the reason being because some are just not structured, unlike those overseas. If you're an intern, you FEEL like an intern, if you're an intern you're not given big enough responsibility just because it's a waste of time for them to teach and the after 2 months you leave. Better still, I've heard of experiences where all the intern does is make coffee, filing and admin work.

Unlike those abroad - They rope you into a project, live deal. That's a big TRUST. When there's trust, interns feel the inclusiveness, hence more motivated and driven to capture that deal. They make you FEEL like a staff, a part of the company and a part of the team. Additionally, they do a serious review on your performance and consider employing you upon graduation with negotiation on salary fitted in! THAT'S WHAT WE NEED IN MALAYSIA! That's how we bring back our graduates from abroad!

AGREED? Well, I'm now calling all future leaders of Malaysia out there with my research, to comment and say your thoughts. I'd love to hear what your comments are :) It's really just a thought that maybe we can do better in this department and slowly change something for our future generation. Do check out this link and fill in this survey please. Check it out and it won't even take you a minute! 

What future leaders think of this?

I'm a graduate and have been working for the past 11 months. Fresh indeed and I LOVE IT thus far! :) I've had 2 internship experiences prior to graduating - at reputable companies and I've had no complains. I'm a big believer of priceless experience that cannot be bought with money so, even if my internships did not pay at all, I'd still volunteer and accept the offer!

Once at an event, Mama's friend came by to say Hello, and along the way asked mum where I'm working. So he then questioned, how come I did not stay overseas to work? Mama's reply was "This girl, patriotisme tinggi!". Hahaha! What a joke, I nearly fell off my chair laughing.

Thanks everyone! feel free to pen out your idea :)

Road Map To Malaysia

Towards Economic Prosperity and Social Justice

That was the theme for our 10th Malaysia Plan ("Plan") introduced on June 10th recently. It draws on these two transformation "pillars", Government Transformation Programme (GTP) and the much mentioned about New Economic Model (NEM) - to set in motion the gears that would hopefully turn the wheels that would propel the nation into the ranks of high-income nation by 2020. Wawasan 2020!

I remembered eagerly waiting for the newspaper man to come, just so I could read the full detail on how Malaysia will turn into a transformer. I even woke up early for this! What is wrong with me?! When Mr paper-man came, I actually told him, "Malaysia has a new plan!". I swear I caught him going "hmmphh" probably still sleepy that he had to deliver the papers in the wee hours!

The Plan will focus on 12 national key economic areas (NKEAs), similar to that of the NEM. I believe an Economic Transformation Unit will be established to plan and coordinate the implementation and development of the NKEAs.  The NEM on the other hand seeks to transform the Malaysian economy into one with high income and quality growth over the next decade. So, to drive this NEM forward, the NKEA Laboratories (Labs) are built to identify and study the feasibility of projects and initiatives under each NKEA as well as to develop implementation plans to deliver the NKEA targets.

I'm sure everyone has heard a lot about PEMANDU ( Performance Management and Delivery Unit), the unit under PM's department that is facilitating these NKEA labs? They're also the unit that will be spearheading the ETP!! Homaigod! How did I freaking know all these abbreviations and jargons?! I never knew they existed in my brain, I'm getting a headache now! Geez...

YES! I am THAT excited about all these. So imagine when Dato Sri Idris Jala extended the invitation to attend the Economic Transformation Programme last week? Well, it's called the Economic Transformation programme Open Day, but I'm not too sure how open is this Open Day. It's an open day, but you need to be invited, but it's a shout to public to attend but...Ok, so just give it a try and go already tomorrow. I'm sure once you're there, show a little over exaggerated eagerness, and a shy smile - the guards will definitely let you in. I can bet on that! :) but if you get shoo-ed away, don't come looking for me, thanks!

Here are the details:

Economic Transformation Programme Open Day

Date: Tuesday, 21 September 2010

Venue: Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), Kuala LumpurProgramme:
9:00 am – 5.00 pm: NKEA Exhibition, Hall 4, Level 4

11:00 am – 12:00 pm: CEO Forum – “Economic Transformation Programme: The View from the Private Sector”

Check this out for more details Road Map To Malaysia

See you guys there! I'm so freaking excited to roam around the 12 labs, especially for Financial Services and Greater KL! :):) Nites!

Running with Passion and for Charity

It all began with this

and the rest was history!

One fine non-chaotic-calm weekend day at work I received a phone call from Germ, panting and running at the same time she managed a 

"EH WOMAN! Can you run ah! We got not enough runners!"

"What run? What is running? Please tell me it's stuffing my face with the best food in town!"

"Your head la! Seriously, we need more runners. Can or not? It's for our Bank!"

... yeah yeah, she knows my weakest point obviously. I'd run it for the company already if they don't have enough runners

"Of all the many friends you have, me? I have never run in my entire life before ok, so yeah, ok I will run for you and the Bank. Pfft. If you guys lose, don't blame me, thanks."

"Ok, come to the field now for training, the game is next weekend for God's sake!"

Pretends to not hear that. "Ok, see you at the tracks next week! Miss you. Bye"

Like I said, the rest was history.

Sponsored by the Bank

My lucky spikes, also sponsored by the Bank

The craziest team ever existed in the contingent

 Yup! We won that Gold! :):)

and the 4 of us had withrawal syndrome after that

From that day onwards, I never could explain my new relationship with the gym. I think it's really convenient that my work place has a really nice gym, high up in the sky, overlooking the KL City - and I have a team that loves the gym too. That's a bonus! I used to whine and create excuses when they invited me to join them in the gym. Seriously, I'd rather look for more work or deals rather than gym-ming. I used to also think that if I sweat it all at the gym, I'd be so darn tired, too tired to even flip that paper work.

Boy, was I wrong. I'm actually very fresh after a good cold shower, more than alert to flip through that deal alright!

Well, what I'm trying to say is that, if you hate running to the brim, you're in the same boat as I am. But nothing can't be changed if you give it a try first. Don't do it alone, it doesn't help. Go with friends, many many friends. The more the merrier, the more you can talk about and the less you think about the tiredness! Hence why I ran the relays and not the individual events :P

So let's all run together then! The inaugural NIKE City 10 km Run is back y'all! :) This time Malaysia and Singapore will be carrying the banner for South East Asia! Well done Malaysia. Aren't you thankful already you're an Anak Bangsa Malaysia.

The intense rivalry between both cities will serve to spur Malaysian runners to commit their kilometres for National Pride. Come on, we just had our Malaysia Day, let's do something back for our country, shall we? :) Plus, just for the fun of being all jakun that it's held on the 10.10.10.

Best part of all, you stand a chance to win USD30,000 for local charity Hope Malaysia whilst Singapore will run for the Singapore Children's Society and all you have to do is run and have fun, in the streets of KL with your family and friends! To my work mates, that's more than BOS ok! So Saiful, if you win the BOS, you'd get that and this extra 30,000 too! 

So let's all run for charity, JOM! 

Registration is already open here at http://www.nikecity10kmalaysia.com/! 

Registration fee is RM10 for runners 24 years and below and RM 50 for 25 years and above. Before you think it's pricey, let's see, upon registration, you will get a Nike City 10K race t-shirt with a pre printed bib and a finisher's award for all participants who complete the race!

How much does a Nike shirt actually cost out there? Bout RM50/RM60? Then you include those printing cost that they need to incur printing our bibs and certificate of participation. Their physical aid that they hire to standby in case we get hurt. The cost of water that they will be providing. The media that they paid to advertise this event....hahaha! Ok bye. Just do the Maths la k and you'll be able to equate it to profit (gaining more than you have spent) I'm sure. Even my dad is registering now, and all my cousins and my brother and...my whole family tree? 

Like I said, the more the merrier! So here's my turn to drag Germs and Jolyn and the rest of my colleagues into this! Whoopdeedoooo :) See you guys in KL!

Note: Sorry for the pixelated areas as I had to protect my deals at my work place. I'm sure we know the beauty of P&C and integrity at its highest level, right?