Long holiday just past!!!

Last weekend, I went back Langkap, Perak to visit my foster family and sent them mooncake for the coming mooncake festival early next month. Kean Yap fetched me and his hometown friends on Saturday morning. We supposed to depart from my place around 10am but ended up depart around 12pm something after servicing Kean Yap's car and having our nice dim sum breaksfast at Seri Kembangan. Kean Yap dropped by me at Bidor around 4pm after jamming at the highway from Slim River till Sungkai, as expected. My foster father fetched me at Bidor to Langkap, as usual.

During the 3 days 2 night trip, I just stayed at house, other than meeting up and yumcha with friends there. It is good to escape from the busy life at city (KL). I was very relaxed and enjoyable during the few days trip although I did not go for further trip. Kean Yap, whose hometown is at Malim Nawar, Kampar came to fetch me at Langkap on Monday night to meet up with Yong Joo, Yen Thoong and Choi Ling at Yen Thoong house, Sungai Long. We supposed plan to have steamboat but due to the fact that not many people could make it, this plan was subsequently cancelled. We reached around 11pm and went for a yumcha at Balakong area.

The highlight of this long holiday was trip to Broga Hills on Tuesday mroning. We planned to see the sunrise but due to heavy rains, we delayed until around 10am. We ate a "char siew bau" before going up and it was very bad to do that. We should not eat so heavy breaksfast, especially the time before climbing up the hill. This was a big lesson to learn and reminder not to do it next time!!!!

My stomache was not feeling well and I have no choice but to take rests at few stops. Another reason was that my stamina was not enough. I need to train muself well and exercise. I really hope that one day i would be able to climb to the peak of Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Southeast Asia!!!

Anyway, I managed to climb to the 2nd lookout point. Here are some of the nice photos taken:









I would certainly come to climb broga hulls next time. I hope to go until the peak at 4th lookout point!!! I could do it!!!

We climbed down around 12pm and went for the popular "pan mee" at Broga town before going to visit the popular temple nearby. The temple was a place for screen of a Singapore movie called "Lao Si Jiao Lao Da"!!!

Nice view taken from the temple at Broga town

Disruption of Star lrt service

This morning, I woke up around 7.30am as usual. Everyday I will take Star LRT to work from my place (Salak Selatan station) to Sultan Ismail station, which will take around 15 minutes.

I was shocked today when I reached the lrt station. It was normal to have a lot of people waiting for the lrt. I met my ex-colleague and told me that there was some disruption at Sultan Ismail lrt and the train would only stop at Bandaraya station, one station before Sultan Ismail lrt. It is walkting distance within both station. After a while, the officer announced that "Kod 7" was activated and all stations would be closed. Then, we were being ushered out of the lrt station and we needed to find alternative public transport to office.

Luckily, I met my other BDO Malay colleagues and we planned to take taxi. However, we waited for a while and no taxi at all. One of my colleagues have car at her house and she proposed to drive us to office. Finally, we reached office around 10am. Really too bad.

I hope that the lrt service would improve. I am really disappointed with the current public transport in Malaysia. Thousands of people are relying on public transport to and back office everyday. Without better and further improvement, Malaysia would not be able to reach the Vision 2020 to a developed nation. It is one of the important criteria also.

999

Today is a nice date: 9 September 2009!!! I heard and saw in news that many couples have chosen this date to register and tied up the knot. Wish every couple will live happily together! Anyway, enjoy today and hope tomorrow will be a better day...

Moving on

Tomorrow I will go for the company trip at Bukit Gambang Resort City at Pahang for 3 days and 2 night. This was the 2nd year to join the company trip. Last year, we went to Port Dickson for a 2 days 1 night trip.

I just want to relax myself with my other colleagues before going for new job at Rawang next week until my study leave for ACCA exam in November. I just finished my current job today. Rawang is quite a distance from KL and travelling is just too tiring despite the fact that I am not the one who is driving. My last job was at Port Klang.

To all my friends, just enjoy yourself during these three days holiday. Of course, I do not forget to wish Malaysia, our beloved country, Happy birthday. Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!

ACCA Results

ACCA results have been officially released on Monday. I have passed my P2 meaning I have passed all the compulsory papers (P1, P2 amd P3). So, I could concentrate on the optional papers as these papers' passing rates were historically low. I am taking P7 currently and would attenpt P6 next semester. I just hope to complete the ACCA as soon as possible so that I could concentrate on my future career path and plan.

Congratualate to all my friends who have passed during last June 2009 exam and for those who unfortunately could not make it, success is just another step closer and all the best in next attempt!!!

Durian

Durian, the "King of Fruit", is my favorite fruit of all. I went for a buffet Durian dinner at SS2 last month and it was my first time to eat this type of buffet. It was very enjoying and would certainly try again next time, but not in this short term. We could not consume too much durians at one time and have bad effect on our health. Do drink some salt water after eating durians.

Crazy....

After taking progress test tomorrow afternoon, I went to sing karaoke at Neway, Leisure Mall with my colleagues for Esther's farewell and her and Lee Fong's birthday celebration. I left earlier to join my xiaxiang friends to yumcha at Murni, SS2. I could not join them to eat Italian food also near Leisure Mall earlier. In addition, I also could not join my UTAR T6 classmates gathering at Midvalley as our good friend, Min Wei has came back from Singapore for holidays. Also, Zhe Quan, one of our "HarkauSiewmai" gang has came back from Singapore but I could not join them for dinner gathering at Sri Petaling also on Saturday night. 4 gatherings at the same time...I really could not join all of them, too bad.

After yumcha at SS2, we decided to go up Genting around 12am. What a crazy idea!!! 3 cars, 11 people just went up to Genting Highlands just for a drink and walk. We reached back KL around 7am. I never went up Genting so late and what an experience!!! We have great funs together!!!

Take a break!!!

Today I was on leave. I just want to take a break and rest before starting my new job at Port Klang next Monday and after rushing so long Tai Thong Group of Companies. It is time for a short break. I woke up around 9am. I thought to go for a swim but due to time constraints, I decided to swim tommorrow morning since I needed to go for xiaxiang friends' UTAR convo around 11am by public transport.

Congrats to all my friends including Heather, Sue Hui, Lilian, Chui Fang, Jing Ling, Kok Soon, Hooi Sing and Epin who are graduating this round. All the best in your future and work!!!

I have to start for a short revision for tomorrow ACCA progress test. I will go for farewell and birthday celebration with my colleague at Neway, Leisure Mall and join my xiaxiang friends for our KL gathering also around the same areas. I am looking forward to meet you guys.

Work, work, work!!!

I have been rushing days and nights for the December year end's accounts for the past two weeks. At last, all have been settled last week and this week, I have to clear up all the files and so on since I will be doing field work in a manufacturing company at Port Klang. I have been staying in office for finalisation work for the past two months.

To relax myself for the weekend, I went for a swim on Saturday morning, watching drama and chatting before joining "HarkauSiewMai" gang for dinner at Jalan Alor. While waiting for Yong Joo (jamming on his way from Subang due to the anti-ISA protest by thousdands of people"), we went to eat the "Gai Xi" shark fin soup and spicy fish ball at ground floor of Lowyat and then went for shopping at Lowyat. After dinner, I and Yong Joo went to SS2 "Gei Dat Sek" for "tong shui" to meet up with Kean Yap.

On Sunday, three of us went for bahkuteh at "Teluk Pulai" branch before going to Midvalley to visit the property fair to survey for property. I plan to buy a property for stay and/or rent to others by sharing with elder brother. Location is the most important factor and I hope to find the best and suitable location.

For another two weeks, the ACCA results for December 08 exam sesssion will be released soon. Everyone is waiting and tension. Now, the only thing we can do is just wait and don't think too much until the results finally released on that day.

Another busy weekend...

On Friday night, I celebrated Jason's birthday with my UTAR classmates at Famous Kitchen at Kepong. In addition, Ying Sing also came back from Singapore with her colleague and she also joined us. It was like 1 year plus that I did not meet her already. It was a simple celebration with him and he himself has requested not to buy birthday cake for him.

As I had class on Saturday at 1pm, I overnight at Kean Yap's place (Damansara) and he fetched me to Sunway College after a Dim Sum breaksfast at Damansara Jaya. Zhe Quan came back again after last two weeks and we decided to meet up at Murni, SS2 around 9pm after my class. We yumcha until 12am and then I went overnight at Yong Joo's place (Klang). Today, our P7 class started from 11.30am until 6.30pm.

Although I have decided to take 2 papers (P6 and P7), but my firm's audit partners have decided that only 1 paper could be attempted for December 2009 sitting. Anyway, I will try to appeal and talk to the management tomorrow. If really can't take 2 papers, I would take P7 only while taking P6 next semester. I just hope that I could finish ACCA soon provided I passed my P2 in August and able to take 2 papers this semester.

Classes start...

Yesterday, I started my ACCA classes at Sunway College taking P6 (every Saturday) and P7 (every Sunday). The results for June 2009 exam will be officially released on 17 August (Monday). I really hope that I can pass it!!!

Before starting classes, I have enjoyed and relaxed myself alot. I went to Cameron Highlands with my UTAR classsmates on 13th and 14th June and went Pulau Redang with my UTAR coursemates from 18th to 20th June.

Last Friday, I went for Buddhist Society Gathering as our senior, Ivy has came to KL for vacation from Kuching. We gathered at "Jin Si Shu Xuan" at Bukit Bintang and then went to eat nice chicken wings at Jalan Alor. On Saturday, I went to gather at Wong Kok, Pavilion with UTAR coursemates as Zhe Quan has came back from Singapore for 2 days 1 night. After that, we had our dinner at Hakka Restaurant, opposite the Pavilion. For the food review, please feel free to visit my food blog ("Harkau SiewMai").

At Wong Kok Cafe


At Hakka Restaurant


Then last Sunday, I, Eddie, Chia Ying and Yoke Ling had a late farewell for Sook Kuen, who has resigned from BDO and working in a MNC company. We decided to go for Dim Sum buffet at Marco Polo at Bukit Bintang opposite Wisma Genting. Wow, I was at Bukit Bintang for that 3 consecutive days!!! I could not imagine that.

At Marco Polo


Again, I have to now fully concentrate on my ACCA studies and hope to complete all my ACCA papers end of this year!!! I am confident and hope that I could successfully achieved it!!!

Redang Trip (Final Day on 20 June 2009)

All of us decided to see the sun rise together and all of us woke up around 6.15am with great hope. However, the sun was block by the heavy and thick cloud and we were unable to witness the sunrise. I and Eddie were both lucky that we did wake up to see the sun rise the day before that day.


With disappointment, we went to have our breaksfast and quickly packed our stuffs so that we could walk around the beach for the final time and took some nice group photos.





We departed back to the jetty at Kuala Terrangannu by the ferry around 9.30am and then took the Resort's bus back to the bus station. We then rest for a while the guest house. Since we still had ample time before our flight at 9.30pm which was delayed for half an hour to 10pm, we went to tour around the town and tasting the nice "Nasi Kukus" and "Nasi Padang". We were unable to try out the popular "Nasi Dagang" since it was only available in the morning and evening and is not nearby. For more details of the "Nasi Kukus", feel free to visit our food blog at http://harkausiewmai.blogspot.com/







That concluded the 3 days 2 night trip. Overall, I was quite enjoy and relax during the trip and able to snorkel alot and see quite a number of different sea species there. But Eddie, Fook Weng and Yen Thoong who had been to Pulau Tioman has mentioned that Tioman is nicer and more beautiful as compared to Pulau Redang. For me, this was my fires time Pulau Redang and never been to Pulau Tioman. I would definitely go back for second visit. But, before that, I would want to visit other islands including Pulau Langkawi, Pulau Tioman as well as Pulau Sipadan where I have not made a visit yet.

Goodbye to Michael Jackson

Yesterday we just lost a superstar " Michael Jackson". He was 50 and was believed to be suffered from cardiac arrest. At the time of death, he was rehearsing for his coming planned 50 concerts. What a sudden death!!! Anyway, that is life. I just hope he will rest in peace and I will always remember him as the "King of Pop". Miss the nice songs by him, miss his moonwalk...!!!

Redang Trip (2nd Day)

I and Eddie decided to wake up early aounnd 5.30am to witness the sunrise. This was my first time to watch sunrise at beach so I decided not to miss this opportunity. WHen we went out, it was still dark and we still could see bright moon and stars. And at that time, we already knew that we woke up too early. We waited for an hour with quite a number of others and the sun finally rise!!! We were so happy...and of course, we did not forget to snap as much photo as we could. I think Eddie has taken around 80 photos for this sunrise taking from different angles and places.







After that, we straight go for breaksfast before going for another snorkelling session at the marine park. We also rented the underwater camera before snorkelling. Here are some of underwater photos taken:









After lunch and before second snorkelling for the day, we went for a short snorkelling in the beach near the Resort.




Some of photos taken during our second snorkelling session at the open sea:




After that, we went to nearby beach to search for baby sharks and we did see cute baby sharks swimming very fast passing by us. Of course, we also see quite a number of other beautiful and colourful fishes around. We just played around the beach before






At night, like first night, we just walked along the beach to other resorts





To be continued...

Redang Trip (1st day)

5 of us (Me, Yong Joo, Fook Weng, Yen Thoong and Choi Ling) gathered at PWTC at 9.30pm on 17 June 2009. We took 10pm bus to Kuala Terrengannu. It was 6 hours plus journey and we reached the bus station around 4.30am. Upon reaching there, we tried to search for food but there was no shops/restaurants around which were all still closed. I think there will only start to open around 8am. Upon waiting for few hours at the bus station and later at the guest house provided by the Pelangi Resort, the place which we were staying for the two nights in Pulau Redang, we then took the resort's bus to the ferry terminal and reached there around 10am.


At the terminal, the Resort's speed boat brought us to Pulau Redang less than an hour which is considered quite fast. After a short briefing, check in to room and took a short rest, we went for the buffet lunch provided by the Resort. The packages included all the meals (lunch, dinner for the 1st day, breaksfast, lunch and dinner for 2nd day and breaksfast for the last day). After lunch, we just went to walk around the beach and sun burn for a short while before snorkelling

The Resort where we stayed

Nice beach view

At 2.30pm, we went to snorker in the open sea and this was my second time snorkerlling. It was nice to see different kind of fishes and some beautiful corals. We didnt take any photos for the first snorkelling session but we only rented the underwater camera (RM50 per day which could allow us to take more than 160 photos) since there would have two snorkelling session including visit to the marine park during the second day.

After tiring snorkelling, we just walked along the beach to Laguna Resort and to the popular "Mo Mo Cha" to take some photos and played around the beach, posing for nice photos.







Jumping high man

3 guys jumping up high

Group Family Photo (5 of us smiling)





Ah Niu, Richie Ren and Michael Wong 3 handsome guys

Not much night life for us in Redang. After dinner, we just decided to walk along the beach to all different resorts in Redang and grabbed some photos to pass our time but we slept around 10pm as we knew that the second day would be more tiring but enjoying.



To be continued...