MY: A Frog....

in my Crocs

:-)

well, I took the photo after I "pull" the frog out :-))

~ MT @ Malaysia
~~ Kota Bharu, Kelantan

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

MY: Semester 1 Plan

Starting from next week, there will be more assignments due in addition to mid-term exam. Thought that being part time student, the home work/assignments are also "part time". But I was wrong. 

I hope I can cope with this.... Anybody wants to polish their accounting knowledge? Do contact me.. maybe can assist me in reviewing some articles :-))

~ MT @ Malaysia

~~ Ampang, Selangor

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

MY: Hmmm...

Hmmmm.. too long have not update my blog... Currently, I become student again.. yup.. a part time student or rather weekend student :-)

This is my fourth week of lecture and in two weeks time, my mid term exam.. tough to be a student again after more than a decade leaving that life...

Too bad my Sony cyber-shot broken. Else, I can share some photos... so, for time being, the entries will be photo-less...

~ MT @ Ampang

~~ Selangor, Malaysia

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

MY: It has been a while...

yeap... it has been a while since I last update my blog. Busy?.. nah... not really.. those people in Doha do not really need my help. And since I have tendered my resignation, my office does really care what I am doing now. I have to go down to SIN next week to return my laptop and cancel my employment pass. Hope everything can be settled within a day since I am not looking forward to spend a night over there. Moreover, everything is on my own...

I am thinking to take an overnight coach or train and reach SIN early morning. Striaght to office and do the necessary. After that, come back to KUL. I spoke with officer from IRAS and Ministry of Manpower and it seemed that everything can be settled within one day.. I hope my office will be efficient enough to complete all procedures on time.

My new employer asking me whether I can star earlier i.e. end of the month. At the beginning, I am planning to start only in December, so give me enough time to rest (I will be on probation for 6 months!), but when I think about it again, I got nothing much to do. So, might as well start early and get paid.

Deep insight me, I hope that I make a right decision. This is a very hard decision to make since I am accepting only one third of what I used to earn in Doha. Pretty tough life I would say to maintain the lifestyle that I have used to. I keep telling myself this is an "investment"... yup.. an investment that I hope to reap the benefits within three years time maximum. I have stayed in Doha for three years and time flies... so I gues another three years will not make any harm to me... finger cross....

My family supports my decision and in fact they are happy with it.. Blessing from both my mum and dad is crucial for me.. may Allah guide me and enlighten my life with His nur.......

MT will not travel (extensively) again, at least for the next three years... I will try to travel domestically whenever I got chance...

Wih me luck, all my friends out there... insyaAllah we will meet again.....

~ MT @ Malaysia
~~ Ampang, Selangor

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

MY: Yesterday

My day yesterday.....

- it took me 30 minutes driving from Ampang Park to KLCC along Jalan Ampang... the traffic was at its worst yesterday evening!!

- reached KLCC, went straight for maghrib at the surau. Joined the congregation that already started praying. After praying and offering the doa, I extended my hand to next persons for salam. None of them actually looked at you with a smile. Are they not sincere? I have been noticing this lots of time in the mosques in this country.

- had dinner at Signature Level 2 food court. Bought myself "Pad Thai" from Rama 9. I miss "pad thai" from Thai Snack in Doha :-). Next customer came and ordered the same. She gave RM50 note and the cashier responded "Tak de duit kecik ke?"... errr... if I were the customer, I would just cancel the order. That kind of question should never been asked to the customer. The onus is on the cashier to go and find the change. It happened to me couple of days ago at La Bahome Jusco Mid Valley.

- and I tendered my resignation yesterday! :-)

~ MT @ Malaysia
~~ Ampang, Selangor

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

MY: Jalan-jalan

Today, I went jalan-jalan to The Gardens and Mid Valley at the Mid Valley City and later in the day, on the way to TTDI, I stopped by at Bangsar Village II.

The Gardens - one of the latest up-class shopping malls. Anchor tenants are Isetan and Robinsons. Walked into Robinsons.... not to my liking. Prefer Isetans and local Metrojaya.

Bangsar Village - Never been here since it opened its door. I just want to see Ted Baker.. nice clothing but too expensive for me. Waiting for Thomas Pink to open at The Gardens.....

Mid Valley - everybody knows the place. Nestled within the Mid Valley City, it shares the same parking area with The Gardens. So pay close attention where you park your car and where do you want to go. Else, you will end up walking quite a distance.

Sunday - probably Pavilion KL :-)

~ MT @ Malaysia
~~ Sunway Damansara, Selangor


~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

QA: Am I now a hurricane?

ok..ok... the spelling is different, but hey.. the pronounciation is still the same... :-)

~ MT @ Qatar

~~ Bin Mahmoud, Doha

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

QA: End of tunnel... lights?

As of today, my roll off date is end of September this year. After that, I don't know what will happen to me. Since I am attached to Spore office, by default (yup.. by default :-p), I have to go back to my home office. And I am trying very much to avoid it. It will be costly for me moving to Spore. I will be treated as local staff - meaning, find my own accommodation... [sigh...]

But this is my career, I mean I dont have to go back to Spore if I dont feel like it. I can just resign and find another job. Right now, here are what I have encountered:

Option 1
Stay with the current company. Go to Spore and find accommodation. Then be sent to another country for project. Then, what happen to the accommodation? hampeh..... keep on paying even not staying there? Right now, 70% of me say resign from this company... hmmm....

Option 2
Transfer to EM - which means transfer to head office. The chance is I have to remian in the ME area if I do this. To do this, I need leadership support from my current office (to release me) and new office (to accept me). EM mostly concentrate on the third world countries, the developing countries. The current project is still going on and will continue until next year.If I transfer and be in the region,I may have to support the project. Ahh... this iswhat I don't want..the key issue here is "I don't want to be in the current project".

Option 3
Opportunity in the Caspian region. Yup.. those -stan countries :-) I can only be certained about this opportunity next month - should they make an offer. The only drawback is that I need to relocate to one of those countries. How are the conditions of those countries after Soviet and wars? The major question is whether I want to relocate or not - which at this point of time, my heart still say NO. But then, what jobs available for me in Asian region generally or my own country? hmmm......

Option 4
Not sure whether this is an option or not. I went for an interview last July (unexpectedly.. they called me and luckily I was in KL at that time). Then they wanted for another interview and willing to do a video conferencing with me. Until now, I haven't heard from them despite emailing them my availability. Anyway, say I got through the interview, would I willing to work with international company based in Malaysia? One thing about these companies is their international culture seems to fade and has been localized so much. I was with one of this such companies. The culture in local office is.. what is the best word to describe it... terrible? Hmm.. maybe this is not an option since tehre is no offer at all...

Well... I need to think and act fast.... I have less than a month ....

~ MT @ Qatar
~~ Bin Mahmoud, Doha

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

QA: Email

One of the coolthing about email is you can set it to know whether the recipient reads your email, delete after reading it and even know whether your email was deleted without being read.

For me, using these confirmations is rather mean, violates the rights of the email recipient. However, in certain occasions, this is the only way to know whether your important emails are being attended to.

Last year, during my vacation, I left the car key with the security guards. Not knowing to me somebody else was using my car. When I got back, I noticed the car was so dirty (October/November time is a cool season in Doha and sometimes rain) and the gas/petrol was at "E"mpty. Also, the key was handed to me without the key chain. This made me mad. The key chain was a gift from a colleague who went for vacation in Canada, and now, it's gone.

After questioning few people, I found out who was using the car. Although the person is in the same office with me, he is not on project base. So, I seldom seeing him. Hence, I sent email to him on November 21, 2006. Since then, I have forgotten about the email and got a new key chain - until this afternoon.......

My email stays in his mailbox for nine months..... I hate this person even more.... :-p

~ MT @ Qatar

~~ Sadd, Doha

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

QA: Have this ever happened to you?

When you are praying jamaah at the mosque (be it Friday prayer or otherdaily prayers), have you ever be in the saf next to someone who cannot stand still? Scratching here and there, moving his feet (sometimes step on yr toe), tilting his head left and right... and even worse, checking the handphone to see who is calling (?????)

This really disturbs me...

~ MT @ Qatar
~~ Bin Mahmoud, D0ha

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

QA: PerF0rm

Had a short discussion on the interim review. As usual, my expectation is not met although I exceeded the expectation by the company/project. Being alone in a company where there is no one really back you up is not good. Not good in the sense that it is hard for you to have a clear path due to lack of sponsor.

The project supports me more than I expect, but my office isn't. However, I guess my office already fed up with me, so they will agree on whatever decision I want to make i.e., involved in global projects (supporting other market units) or go back to them and start developing business at home.

To tell the truth, I really got fed up with this. But I just can't make that ultimatum yet -> resign. I have not yet get any offer despite multiple interviews back home. I give myself three months (i.e. until Eid) for me to get the new job, else I might have to settle for some work in this Middle East region.

Pretty hard decision to make... and pretty hard to get a job with decent pay back home...

~ MT @ Qatar
~~ Sadd, D0ha

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

QA: It has been a week...

It has been a week since my arrival into Doha. And my sore throat still there. Maybe I took wrong drug prescription. Wonder what is inside my body now.

Last night, bought dinner for my senior at college. AAH and his family arrived in Qatar two weeks ago and currently looking for a house. This was my first time meeting him. In fact, in college, I never met him. He is the pioneer batch while I am the fifth batch. I was told he is in Qatar in our alumni mailing list. Joining us for dinner were Zals, ZI, DK, AI and his wife MR. NZ and SS could not make it since SS pick up to work was at 10pm. SS was to fly to BKK or HKG last night. DK just touched down from CDG in the morning. Glad that she could make it.

We had dinner at favourite place, Turkey Central. Ordered 2 kg of mixed grilled and a medium size Arabic Maza. Food enough for the eigth of us.

Work wise, things moving pretty slow. The client suppose to be back from the US visiting the vendor. Yeap.. we sent them to see the vendor and to give them chances to go shopping in the US as well... ooppppsss.. I have should not say this :-)) We received mix review on their visit to the vendor from our work colleagues in the US office. Unfortunately, they were not briefed by their Project Manager on what they will see over there. So, the demo on the system turned out not as expected (only for one part of it). When they are back here, I guess a hectic discussion session will take place. Arrggh... I hate these people. They can change their mind in split second and deny everything we have agreed before.

ML has gone back to the US last week. Tuesday morning to be exact. Am suppose to have discussion with him before he left, unfortunately we didn't have time to sit down together since I got back. When I landed in Doha last Sunday, he was still in DXB, vacationing with his wife. He came into the office on Monday morning and called it a day after a few hours. And thats it. Luckily, he has settled few things that he took over from me before I left for holiday. And now, nothing much on my plate. Thanks ML.. hope to see you again one day.

~ MT @ Qatar
~~ Sadd, D0ha

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

MY: PerForm and Chances

I am suppose to meet my boss on Wednesday. The plan was either he flies to KUL or I go down to SIN. Monday morning, I checked my email and saw the invitation to have a conference call instead. According to the SIN office, my boss' passport is with the Ministry for wrok permit renewal.

The conference call was held in the afternoon and the result -> hmm.. how shall I put it... I dont really like it but I did not raise it loud enough. Reason being - I have been raising teh issue for the last 1.5 years and nothing happen so far! So, that's it. I got fed up with it.

This Friday, I have an interview planned. At PBD. Actually, I don't know for what position and I not even aware that I have sent my CV to this company. I kept on sending emails to find out about the position, but no response. Cuak jugak!

Will be pretty busy for the whole week. Few appointments to attend (as you can see on the side bar calendar).

Let see how this week goes....

Take care

~ MT @ Malaysia
~ Ampang, Selangor

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

MY: First Thing First

When I came back home, I have a list of what to do. It is important I utilize my home leave to the fullest. So, on Friday, after the Friday prayer, Iwent to Kay-El-Em icketing office to pay formyfamily trip to neighbouring country. Then, drove straight home for a nap. I needed a rest after uncomfortable flight. Slept until 6:30pm and went to SD to pick up my friend. On way back, stopped by at Upt0wn. Apa lagi, melantak le... I had char kuay teow,then rojak, then kerang...

Next morning, stomach ache... hahahahahahhahaha

~ MT @ Malaysia
~~ Ampang, Malaysia

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

QA: What A Day....

Today, I guess is the most eventful day in D0ha for. It all started at lunch time when few of us decided to have lunch at one Italian restaurant just opened near to our client building. Since the restaurant is just nearby, about 150m away, one of us uttered a suggestion.. "Let's walk!" And everybody sort of no objection.. including me.


Well, what a wrong decision! It was sooooo hot and the short stretch of road have no pedestrian walkway. Ahh... how can I totally forgot that this country has no mercy on pedestrian! Since we already half way there, we just continued walking.


Reached the restaurant, was greeted by Svdanese/Ethi0pian/Eritre4 waitress (I forgot to ask), we chose the biggest table for five of us. Opened the menu, OMG... hotel price....hmm.. better worth it.. as one of my collegue said.. "hotel price minus the alcohol...." :-)

Just we were about to finish our lunch, we got a call from our office (at the client site).. The message was simple but enough to make us rushed back... "Fire alarm, need to evacuate..." aarrghh.... there we went... running from the restaurant to the client building wearing an office attire under the hot and dry weather!


Packed my stuff, and drove back home. On the way, I saw this accident. Poor woman! She was stucked in the driver seat.




Reached the apartment area and the parking was full. The workers at the nearby site hijacked our parking spaces. *&#^$& &@^#!!!!!


Then I witnessed this... No safety device/strap attached to that worker!


(btw,the brown building at the back is QR (female) cabin crew apartment)....


I shouted "It is dangerous!" to the workers nearby, and they just gave me a smile! Yeah.. you just love to see something happen to your collegue.....


Got at the apartment, opened the door... urgghhhh.. what a stinking smell.... apparently, the cleaners did not mop the floor properly and left some residue.. It was sticky... and for the smell, I didn't know where it came from..


Called the guard and summoned the cleaners. Reminded the guard to ensure the cleaners clean properly next time and gave a mop, a pail and a bottle of Dett0l to the cleaners. Asked them to mop the floor again.


I went to have a cold shower. Yes.. very nice and chilling 30 seconds shower before it turned into hot boiling temperature! Forgot that this is summer in desert and the water tanks are on the roof!


To make my day, I went to Zar4 sales and spent RM600 on a suit.... that's it.. a happy ending... just like in the movie....


~ MT @ Qatar
~~ Bin Mahmoud, D0ha


~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

QA: Gatal Tangan...

Nice title huh?... well, right now, my hands are getting itchy... so, there is a plan for a bowling this coming Wednesday and on Friday, I am planning for another makan-makan with few friends. :-) Planned menu are Nasi Lemak and Nasi Kerabu for lunch.... :-) anybody care to join?

Work wise, time is getting shorter and work keeps on increasing. I hope I can manage it.

~ MT @ Qatar
~~ Bin Mahmoud, D0ha

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

QA: This week..

This week is going to be a hectic week for me. ML, who comes from the US office is here and I have to work with him for one month - original plan. However, since I am planning to take two weeks off, I may have to reschedule the four weeks work with ML into two weeks only. Let see how it goes.

My travel agent contacted me and booked me on EY and QR. For both, am on waiting list to KUL. QR is more than QR1000 more expensive than EY, but returning on the day requested. Haven't decide on which to take. Another decision to make.

Flying QR will not entitle me for status miles with my LH Miles and More. Just a standard mileage. Flying EY will increase my chance towards silver status with EY Guest programme. And more importantly, the seat is more comfortable than QR and the service is better.

~ MT @ Qatar
~~ Sadd, D0ha

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

QA: Human...

Sometimes, I just don't understand certain people... especially those around us.. those who we regards as friends...

- Why do people have difficulties appreciating others?
- Why do people love to take advantage of others kindness?
- Is the word "sharing" hard to understand?

Makes me wonder...

~ MT @ Qatar
~~ Bin Mahmoud, D0ha

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

QA: ASSoc.

When I came to this country fourth quarter of 2004, there were around 400+ Malaysians (including family). Today, I heard the Malays1an community has exceeded 1000 perantau in this little country. Therefore, the need to have a proper management of the community is unavoidable. In fact, in year 2000, under recommendation by the then Minister of Tourism, Datuk KSF, Malays1an Associati0n of Q4tar was established. The ASSoc. was sort of "illegal" since it was never registered. I wonder whether it is registered now or not.

Here is the first logo used until year 2005.

Then, the Committee for the year 2005 changed to the new logo.

And again, the Committee for this year changed it again couple of weeks ago

That's about the logo. But, how does the ASSoc. communicate to the members?

Well, when I joined the ASSoc. as a member, I raised the issue. At that time, the communication was done via email and word of mouth. So, to make communication easier, the committee in year 2005 created a Yahoo! group under the name Malays1ans in Q4tar. It was a success. A lot of people joined the group since it intergrates well with internet email. However, Yahoo! group has its own limitation and the Committee in year 2006 launched this website [Not sure whether the link works or not. I have problem accessing it as well]. This is good, but it was a bit too late. The website was only launched after the new committee (year 2007) took the office. So, this website is not really being used or gives any benefits to the members. The committee cylce for the ASSoc. is from May till April.

And guess what now? The new committee, instead of utilising the existing website and Yahoo! group, they created another new website(at least that is what my understanding is based on my conversation with few Malays1ans during the "That" function). Huh? So, next year when the another committee takes over, will they introduce new website????

Sometimes I pity those office bearers. Earn tonnes of money with respected positions in big companies (mostly middle age, if not late thirties) but have brains of the babies. Giler kuasa ke? What I know is that the current ASSoc. chief has been vying for the post since 2004. When he was not elected, he was offered the ASSistant chief post, but he declined.

When living in a foreign land, we turn into fellow Malays1ans for any problems or to share our happiness. If we cannot live in harmony, talking bad things about others (I have experienced this), what is the point having the ASSoc. and functions?

I am very sad to see this happening in the community here. Even worse, most of these people are older than me. Malu! How to respect them if they are acting like kids?? I heard the same for the community and the country reps in another Gulf country (down south). The only better experience that I have was with Jedd4h community when I was working there couple of years back. They were very nice. In fact, the Consulate staff there were very down to earth. I miss their hospitality.


~ MT @ Qatar
~~ Bin Mahmoud, D0ha

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

QA: Unnecessary Entry about Shoes....

It has been nearly two weeks since I got back from MCT. Since then I have been busy with work and do not have much time to do an entry. I did one entry before on the additional tasks bestowed upon me, and day by day, it sort of increases. In fact for the last two weeks, I have been eating outside for dinner. No more home cook dinner. Going back home around 7pm everyday.

All these additional tasks are for this coming system demo to the client's management which is scheduled this Thursday (which I heard to be postponed again..[sigh...]). First, I was in charge of collecting data for the system, then I was told to ensure the set up in teh system is correct (this takes so much of my time since I need to be in touch with the US team members who are 7hrs behind Qatar standard time); then I was made a SPOC (Single Point of Contact) for all team members to report/complaint/ask about the system. No team members are allowed to talk to each other regarding the system set up or procedures unless they do that via me. I am overwhelmed with information -> which some of them irrelevant to me!

Ok.. stop bitching about work. Got nothing to do with shoes :-)). Let's talk about this unnecessary entry about shoes.

I have this crave about shoes. I just like shoes, but not as outrageous as someone I know. Hiks... Moreover, I only buy those on sales and it ranges from sandals, half-shoes, working shoes, boots etc..etc..

When I was in Oman, Clark shop was having a sale. So, I bought myself a half-shoe (I don't know what they call it). I can feel that this will not be the last. This cost me around RM150 only.



And I was right. Last week, I went to Doha City Center Mall with Zal and bought myself two pairs of shoes. One Timberland (boots?) and another Columbia (walking/trekking shoes).

Timberland

Columbia

Both pairs cost me RM410, which I think a good bargain. Again this week, I bought another pair. This time it is Adidas Heritage series - Superstar II. This cost me RM190, which I think a good bargain too.

So, right now, I have four shoes to add to my collection of shoes back home in KL. Somebody is going to be unhappy with this :-))

Actually, I was thinking to buy some more shoes... hmmmmm...... Aldo has some nice ranges..

~ MT @ Qatar
~~ Sadd, D0ha

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~