So Long 2010~

And so long to you old friend!

Yes I have finally resigned from my part-time job at Kinokuniya. I've been there for approximately one year, 2 months and a half. I am done. I used to think I would never leave, and could not understand why people would resign from such an awesome place, but now I know. When it's time, it's time. As expected, my leaving was a big blow to my previous unit since I left with another long-term part-timer and the remaining part-timers were very, very new. Will I return? We shall see!!

My last day there was very exciting. I felt gay all day. A little sad, but very much liberated. I was very much surprised that my manager came on her day off specifically to give me a farewell gift. So touched. It was a pack of chocolate biscuits from Marks and Spencer. And my Unit Chiefs, one gave me a Rose Quartz birthstone and the other gift voucher. I did not expect a card, and didn't get one, though if I did, I would be slightly miffed. Since we've been filling in so many cards lately; one congratulatory card to Andrew who was promoted to Unit Chief and two birthday cards to colleagues. And half of the people of my unit have bad taste in gifts so I was quite glad they didn't get me any gift, instead I received individual gifts from people who mattered. My bag was quite heavy when I left for home that day. THANK YOU EVERYONE!

I realized that my leaving had left some repercussions of the thought to a few people and made me wonder since it's the new year if it was the time for people to be leaving and getting new jobs. And it's no wonder that they knew me for most of their employment time there. Whatever it is, I have a feeling that should I decide to return there after my holiday, I will be looking at a whole new crew. Or at least half of it.

Despite my intention to stay home and exercise and drink tea all day, my new year was spent movie marathoning with a couple of Kino friends. Was quite tired, and by the end of the day the only thing I want to do is stare at my Kuja and read porn. But thanks for asking me out!

Last Monday I went to return my uniform. HR made a fuss of the stain on the sleeve which was a work hazzard if I must say so myself! I was forced to duck under an upside down chair lain on a desk and turn sideways to read the labels off the box behind the chair, under another heavy box. That's what you call dedication! Well, at least they didn't see the stitches I did on the apron ehehe. I chatted with a few old friends not from my unit because only the boring 'kongsi gelap' gang were on duty that day. The e-dictionary guy assured me that my casio ex-word e-dic is still on course to arrive on schedule and he will email, sms and give me a call once the test model has arrived! He said if all goes well, they should arrive after CNY. I hope it will arrive before March when my Japanese class friends are going to Korea for holiday where I have already asked in advance that they get me said dictionary.

And of course, it was quite fun being a customer and stand around and chat all day while the others worked hehehe.

As I was saying! Or as I was about to say, new year means new year's resolutions. This year mine is quite simple; To run two 10km marathons and one half-marathon. Done. Sweet and simple. I've already been running in the gym and has increased my stamina explosively. Now I need to take it outside. I was planning to run in the KLCC park once a week just to get a feel of the outdoors. Weekday definitely, and after 4:30 pm. Hopefully I can return by 6pm when rush hour starts. What? You didn't think I would walk there did you!?

I remember going to a sports shop and overhearing or maybe eavesdropping (seriously, I was just right next to them) of these two girls buying 'running' shoes for going out running at the KLCC park. One of them were tomboyish and kept going for the sleek black Nikes which were more for sprinting than heavy duty running/marathoning. And the other kept going for the same type, except pink or white in color. I've thought of using those shoes for running and trying to think up reasons why my current running shoes would not suffice. I mean, those sleeker shoes are obviously made for speed and aerodynamics and such, but they don't give your feet much room for swelling after all the running. And Nikes...man, the bigger the sizes, the longer they get, the narrower they become. For running shoes, I reccomend Adidas. Trust me, I have two pairs. They never let me down. (proud)

I think they bought those shoes, since they were on sale. But I wonder if they are still running with them? Heheheeheh.

I actually planned to go to school today but I just had Detox tea which would increase my bowel movements five-folds so I really can't leave the house today. And my salary comes out today too sighs. Good thing I stocked up on water and toilet paper.

Ta'ra!

Too Independent Too Soon?

Going shopping with daddyo is very profitable. I would always start with nothing, and by the end of it I get my stuff plus the change from the purchase of my stuff. Makes good economic sense doesn't it?

But why are people in such a hurry to be independent from their parents?!

I even had a friend who has no background in business, has no experience or any related knowledge, is diving head on into a business! I've told this same friend what she should know about and what she should work on, and she admitted she wa sunprepared so the business idea was tossed aside. But then came the holidays and she considered herself been 'sleeping' too long. So she thought starting a business was the best way to 'wake' her up! She came to me asking for some financial support. I questioned her some basic things not related to the business but on how she was going to be able to pay me by January when she couldn't even find money now? She replied she 'believed there are many ways' so I asked her why not use those 'many ways' to get the money now? Then she concluded I wasn't able to help her so she went away.

I mean, get real. Would you lend your money to someone who's indecisive and unconfident like that? I really hate it when people want to borrow money from me but act as if it's no big deal if I don't give it to them. I would have helped if they really wanted it. Sometimes it can be for something as stupid as wanting to buy clothes urgently so long as they really need it and can assure me payback can be made in reasonable time. I am a yes or no person. If you want it, say yes I want it. Not 'well, if you could lend me it would really be helpful though you don't neccesarily have to'. To me that's a no.

Anyway, I'm sure I'm not the only one who's encountered people like this.

Look, it's not that I want to dampen her spirit in doing a business, but doing a business, even if it's just some crappy MLM (maybe especially so), should not be taken lightly. Is it wrong to start small like selling nasi lemak or keropok lekor by the road side? Trust me. If you do it diligently it will pay off nicely. I know this because I have a friend who's actually doing this and she stuck to basic rules of business. Good value, good customer service and plain hardwork will get customers coming back and money rolling in. Is it so hard?

So that's someone who wants to branch off on their own as soon as they can. Another is people who just refuse to accept money from parents. Isn't it weird that people would turn down free money? I asked them why and they said they don't want the strings attached to it. They would rather work for their own things than asking for money from their parents. A nobel thought, of course. But when your parents are giving you free money with no strings attached, why do you still refuse it?!?

Doesn't this remind you of the term 'kais pagi makan pagi, kais petang makan petang?' Roughly translated it has about the same meaning as living 'from hand to mouth'. It's like working hard to pay the advance payment for your car. Once you get the car you still have to pay the monthly payments, so doesn't this actually add to your expenses even though you're not making anymore than you did before you got that car?

So doesn't that leave you with less money?

This is a typical middle-class mentality. They believe in working hard, saving money and living off that money their whole life. They are suspicious of investments. They take pride in being able to fend for themselves without any parental intervension.

Like I said, a noble thought, but not very practical. We humans have to accept that we need help from time to time, whether we like it or not. And when you're with parents, they have certain responsibilities over you including giving you your pocket money. To refuse your right is stupid. Sure, go ahead and make yourself independent, but don't stop parents from being parents. We are at an age where we are slowly breaking free from our parents. But we are not quite there yet. So is it so wrong to just stay quietly and take things as they come? I mean, in five years or so nobody would be around to make dinner for you anymore once you're married.

Maybe I'm saying this because I am comfortable living in my parents' house. I know this is not the case for everyone but it apllies to most people. Remember how people kept reminiscing how good life was in high school? and when you enter the working life you reminiscent how much better life was during college?

All I'm trying to say is: forward thinking is good. But never forget to live in the moment. The saddest thing is to let life pass you by without you even realizing it.

There, I gave you my Dua Kupang Worth. Now have a life. Ta'ra!