A friend got hitch over the weekend.
The fun part of life starts for him.
Next in line would be the guy in white shirt!
Monday, November 24, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Oil and Gas
Current oil market trending is puzzling.
The price fluctuation is nothing but extraordinary
From looking like hitting US$200 a barrel to below US$50
I am trying to just make sense of it all
Maybe Petronas just hit a jack pot , some where in the coast off Miri
Then they flooded the market with Miri oils
I am sure of it... here is that new well producing 30million barrel a day!
Ode to a friend
A close friend is starting a new job at a new place this week. It is the next phase in his career after being with his ex employer for a decade .
A true friend ,confidant ,coach and mentor . Knowing him for a decade, we have gone through some of the best and the worst time in a short career. It was a funny relationship, there is minimal off office contact as both of us are not the one wearing the pants at home. Our open house for raya n kong hei fatt choi ritual are so weird that it is not worth mentioning here.
Our diverse back ground and different school of thoughts makes the relationship colorful. While he is not a Buddhist through and through, I managed to impart some of Gautama's teaching to him(yes you are reading this right) and share the core Islamic values.
We never was on the same page on our political stance either. The NEP is the thorn that separate us immensely in our political outlook. While I am no supporter of the NEP(it is un fair therefore un Islamic), he brand me as a product of NEP thus contributing to the vicious discrimination cycle. I respect his opinion and openly debate on the issue in the privacy of our office.
Our office interaction was legendary. Playing pranks on visiting VPs, CIO, GMs that could get both of us fired.
We had some quality time abroad, while we never did travel together as often as we like, there were some trip that I will forever remember. The shanghai, Bangalore, Singapore and manila trips and the 3 months continuous travel to KL. We never went to US together but shared many shopping haunts that we frequent every time one of us visit any of the US major cities.
We shared similar liking for sports and of which we often indulge. It was him that force me to take up golf 8 years ago. He managed to get back an old set from another dear friend and all I had to do was paid RM80 for a full set, a bag, a shoe and a putter. Never mind it was an old Dunlop set in a beaten up Callaway bag; it was a show of love for a fellow brother of different mother and father that got me golfing. We continue our sport foray with tennis and last week we start 'squashing'. I never beat him on any of these sport matches, for he is he a born sportsman. Yes, a born sportsman !. I tried to beat him in Wii , a game we played often in the office, but also failed to overcome his in born talent.
I owe much of my professional growth to this man. And to him I would like to wish the very best of luck in the new company and I am sure he will continue to inspire others with his vision and 'in born sport talent'. My advice to him, maybe it is a good idea to let the new office mates win a little in Wii, it helps with the bonding.
A true friend ,confidant ,coach and mentor . Knowing him for a decade, we have gone through some of the best and the worst time in a short career. It was a funny relationship, there is minimal off office contact as both of us are not the one wearing the pants at home. Our open house for raya n kong hei fatt choi ritual are so weird that it is not worth mentioning here.
Our diverse back ground and different school of thoughts makes the relationship colorful. While he is not a Buddhist through and through, I managed to impart some of Gautama's teaching to him(yes you are reading this right) and share the core Islamic values.
We never was on the same page on our political stance either. The NEP is the thorn that separate us immensely in our political outlook. While I am no supporter of the NEP(it is un fair therefore un Islamic), he brand me as a product of NEP thus contributing to the vicious discrimination cycle. I respect his opinion and openly debate on the issue in the privacy of our office.
Our office interaction was legendary. Playing pranks on visiting VPs, CIO, GMs that could get both of us fired.
We had some quality time abroad, while we never did travel together as often as we like, there were some trip that I will forever remember. The shanghai, Bangalore, Singapore and manila trips and the 3 months continuous travel to KL. We never went to US together but shared many shopping haunts that we frequent every time one of us visit any of the US major cities.
We shared similar liking for sports and of which we often indulge. It was him that force me to take up golf 8 years ago. He managed to get back an old set from another dear friend and all I had to do was paid RM80 for a full set, a bag, a shoe and a putter. Never mind it was an old Dunlop set in a beaten up Callaway bag; it was a show of love for a fellow brother of different mother and father that got me golfing. We continue our sport foray with tennis and last week we start 'squashing'. I never beat him on any of these sport matches, for he is he a born sportsman. Yes, a born sportsman !. I tried to beat him in Wii , a game we played often in the office, but also failed to overcome his in born talent.
I owe much of my professional growth to this man. And to him I would like to wish the very best of luck in the new company and I am sure he will continue to inspire others with his vision and 'in born sport talent'. My advice to him, maybe it is a good idea to let the new office mates win a little in Wii, it helps with the bonding.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
ITIL SM Debunked
ITIL service manager is a certification that folks in IT services business are after today
It is two part - service support and service delivery
The training is 3 weeks in total and executed 1 week for each month for 3 months
If you are not smart then You are supposed to study between the breaks
You then take exam
You then wait for like 20 years to get full result
...and did I mention that you pay RM$2million for the training + exam
Talk
I remembered the final semester at my alma mater
I went for multiple interview setup by the IT school (Got one offer which I passed)
Running around the campus attending multiple talks and workshops on career and what not
Enjoyed the whole running around but lot of pressure to land a job before leaving school
That was 11 years ago
And this week, I am part of a 3 man panel talking to 200+ students of a local higher learning institution
We yapped about resumes, interviews, self branding and other significant career development topics in a two hours session
We yapped about resumes, interviews, self branding and other significant career development topics in a two hours session
Then it was lunch - they served a mean dalca that afternoon!
I was hoping for more crowd interaction but overall, it was a good session
The best would still be the talk at UUM last year- nostalgic!
p/s: Nobody take notes anymore. They just listen and expect to remember everything. Give it 48 hours and they won't even remember my name
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Learn English: Compendious
Compendious is a very old word - circa 14th century
Stumbled upon it in 1996 in my "History of Economics Thoughts" notes
Definition: marked by brief expression of a comprehensive matter : concise and comprehensive.
How to use it: "I want you to be as compendious as possible in your report"..then be ready to get some weird look from your audience.
Stumbled upon it in 1996 in my "History of Economics Thoughts" notes
Definition: marked by brief expression of a comprehensive matter : concise and comprehensive.
How to use it: "I want you to be as compendious as possible in your report"..then be ready to get some weird look from your audience.
The Cuban at KLIA
Stumbled on a Cuban rolling up some fine Cuba cigar at KLIA terminal 2(?) a couple weeks ago
RM150 a pop.
However the leaves doesn't look as aromatic as those I saw in Manila earlier this year.
Yes, from the side he does looks like Andy Garcia. OK, maybe not , but he could easily pass as Andy Garcia older brother.
Family Outing: Stadium Kepala Batas
Yes, the girls are in their dresses for an afternoon outing at Stadium Kepala Batas
Monday, November 3, 2008
Learn Latin: Habeas Corpus
Habeas Corpus is a legal term, derived from the latin word of "We command that you have the body".
It is also known as writ - an action from an individual to free the person from unlawful detention.
In Malaysia, Habeas Corpus - the word, is making its round in local dailies.
So know your habeas corpus!
It is also known as writ - an action from an individual to free the person from unlawful detention.
In Malaysia, Habeas Corpus - the word, is making its round in local dailies.
So know your habeas corpus!
The 3 wheelers at Jalan Bagan Luar
He is a lone operator.
An old man who has been doing the mee/pasembor business for more than 20 years.
I would reckon first generation peranakan - speaks malay with a thick indian tongue
Loc: Beside Telekom Bagan at Jln Bagan Luar, Butterworth - the heartland of peranakan dishes.
Operating hours 11am-6pm
A favorite for those who wants to do drive thru.
Kamar Jahan Nasi Kandar:Best Nasi Biryani in Bagan
They server the best BIRYANI(not the lame briyani you get at corporate nasi kandar restaurants)
Loc: Jln Bagan Luar, Butterworth- the golden triangle for finest peranakan/mamak dishes.
No, then don't operate 24 hours, so please ignore the sign. The sign is our mamak way of confusing hungry malays and chinese.
Biryani is only served during lunch time. So you can be sure of getting only recently cooked biryani.
If it is good enough for local mamak, then it sure is more than good enough for the others non mamak who seems to be consuming all the fakes nasi kandar and briyani like no body business. Who in their right mind would pass cat fish curry as a peranakan dish. Fusion has its own place, and its not at a nasi kandar joint! Maybe at your local nasi campur melayu place.
Loc: Jln Bagan Luar, Butterworth- the golden triangle for finest peranakan/mamak dishes.
No, then don't operate 24 hours, so please ignore the sign. The sign is our mamak way of confusing hungry malays and chinese.
Biryani is only served during lunch time. So you can be sure of getting only recently cooked biryani.
If it is good enough for local mamak, then it sure is more than good enough for the others non mamak who seems to be consuming all the fakes nasi kandar and briyani like no body business. Who in their right mind would pass cat fish curry as a peranakan dish. Fusion has its own place, and its not at a nasi kandar joint! Maybe at your local nasi campur melayu place.
Nasi Kandar Jamal Mohamed: The cleanest nasi kandar joint in Malaysia
Another original that stay true to nasi kandar tradition. Long before it becomes a house hold name. Long before folks outside Penang (including Kedah and nothern Perak) ever heard or tasted the peranakan culinaries delight, they have been preparing meals for hungry Bagan's folks - mostly mamak like myself.
They are not your everyday corporate nasi kandar that has long sold out the true nature of peranakan dishes to accomodate 'foreigners' palata.
They don't wear uniforms. No Bangla and Indian nationals here - only 2nd and 3th generation peranakan extended family operating this joint.
Loc: Behind Telekom building, Jln Bagan Luar. (very near my grandparents place off the in famous Mengkuang Rd)
No fancy dishes, no catfish (no peranakan dish included cat fish in its menu!!!) - the basic bolied egss, beef kurma, fish curry, chicken curry, green vege, fried chicken and nasi minyak on some days. My brother in law eats here religously. Kitchen can be seen from where you are eating and you will be suprise at how clean it is!
Peranakan (mamak) culinary dishes has always been served with utmost care on cleanliness. Say no to pretenders like "Line Clear". My father (2nd generation peranakan) would never eats at such places.
So go to Jamal Mohamed for a wholesome , original and clean peranakan meal!
Pokok Ceri: The Best Mee Mamak in Mainland Penang!
The name Pokok Ceri would bring smile to a true blue Penangites- especially if you are an anak peranakan aka mamak (like me)
The original kedai mee Pokok Ceri was once located near Mesjid Abdul Kadir (aka Mesjid Keling Bagan). It was a make ship stall, located under this big tree every one called pokok ceri.
The original kedai mee Pokok Ceri was once located near Mesjid Abdul Kadir (aka Mesjid Keling Bagan). It was a make ship stall, located under this big tree every one called pokok ceri.
It was vacated in circa 1982 to make way for the first 'supermarket in the Bagan area' and now a textile store. I still remember the old place, as my dad used to take me there.
The operator then moved to multiple places before resting beside the now defunct Dawood Nasi Kandar restaurant at Jalan Bagan Luar (in front of Mara building)
Dawood owner gave the small time Pokok Ceri mee operator a break by allowing them to operate beside their restaurant.
For the uninitiated, Dawood Nasi Kandar were one of the biggest nasi kandar chainoperator in Penang in late 80s. It was rumored that after Dawood gone upside down, Pelita came into prominent. (call me for the gossip)
Believe it or not, after Dawood demise, Pokok Ceri operator took over the Bagan Luar Dawood premise. However, they still prepare the mee/bihun/pasembor/kuetiow at the side of the outlet on the their 3 wheelers.
This is the real deal, THE REAL MEE MAMAK. No nasi kandar here.
Penang Island still has some of this 'original' mee mamak operators , which is in the same mould as Pokok Ceri; Bangkok Lane, Padang Brown,
Padang Kota has long sold out to the 'foreign' crowd and has not served any thing authentic for years.
So go to Poko Ceri at Jln Bagan Luar for a dose of the real Mee Mamak.
P/S: The name pokok ceri was used by pretenders all over the northern region. You can find a pokok ceri nasi kandar joint in Alor Star and I heard there is also one in Sungei Petani. And BTW, the place is not 24hours - they closes at midnight.
The operator then moved to multiple places before resting beside the now defunct Dawood Nasi Kandar restaurant at Jalan Bagan Luar (in front of Mara building)
Dawood owner gave the small time Pokok Ceri mee operator a break by allowing them to operate beside their restaurant.
For the uninitiated, Dawood Nasi Kandar were one of the biggest nasi kandar chainoperator in Penang in late 80s. It was rumored that after Dawood gone upside down, Pelita came into prominent. (call me for the gossip)
Believe it or not, after Dawood demise, Pokok Ceri operator took over the Bagan Luar Dawood premise. However, they still prepare the mee/bihun/pasembor/kuetiow at the side of the outlet on the their 3 wheelers.
This is the real deal, THE REAL MEE MAMAK. No nasi kandar here.
Penang Island still has some of this 'original' mee mamak operators , which is in the same mould as Pokok Ceri; Bangkok Lane, Padang Brown,
Padang Kota has long sold out to the 'foreign' crowd and has not served any thing authentic for years.
So go to Poko Ceri at Jln Bagan Luar for a dose of the real Mee Mamak.
P/S: The name pokok ceri was used by pretenders all over the northern region. You can find a pokok ceri nasi kandar joint in Alor Star and I heard there is also one in Sungei Petani. And BTW, the place is not 24hours - they closes at midnight.
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