Graduation @ Shangrila

I know, it's nothing to be proud about, taking the exam numerous times before finally passing.....YUP, I PASSED.... Certificate in Internal Auditing for Financial Institutions in the Dec'06 exam :D

I think we received results in mid-late Jan'07. It was nerve-wrecking when I was informed that our results were posted in the IBBM (Institut Bank2 Malaysia) website. Worse still when a colleague informed that out of 30+ people taking from IAD, approximately 10 did not make it! I remembered that I had to hunt for a PC which can access internet (well, only selected 'privileged' people in my company are given access - Draconian to me, but bearable so far as we were FINALLY given external email access in Apr'07). It was weight off my shoulders to download our results and find out that I made it through.

By the way, I think it's a first....my company actually volunteered to pay for us to attend the graduation in May'07 (Thanks, Dr Tan KS). Hmmm, so most of us who passed made the effort to attend (guess, no one would say no to this kinda FREE stuff, huh? ;) )

Graduation Day finally arrived on Sat 19May07.
My apologies to Anna for being late to pick her up, BUT we managed to be @ the Shang's ballroom abt 8:30am or so. AND that was after we had breakfast @ the mamak behind our office (also to meet EeLin).

The event was graced by the BNM Governor herself, Tan Sri Zeti. Sorry, only managed a blurry photo as I was using my mobile phone.

I'm still waiting for the one I posed onstage with Tan Sri Zeti to arrive via mail/courier and also those all of us took @ the staircase outside the Shang's ballroom (using Dr Tan's camera, I think) with the GMD, WSB CCO, Learning & Devt Head and our GCIA (IAD's main woman...she's the one in light brown suit below)...we were her posse...heehee...






Last pic just before leaving the hall, of the 5 of us.... EeLin & Anna are already in new workplaces respectively, remaining are me, LSP and SYL.

Do I look good or what?!! It's my new suit ;)

Whirlwind of Events

I have 10 nights back in KL (home=Subang) before going down South to Johor Bahru for an assignment. Tiring but I'm happy travelling :D

After dinner with Jennifer, Jeisry, HanNee, GaikLeng and Annie, it was time to hit the books for Part 2 of my Certified Internal Audit (CIA) exam on 16May07. In between, I managed to have dinner with my older bro+gf, younger bro and my Mom for Mother's Day on 13May. (Dad was up North-Penang, Kedah.. doing his stuff)

I also had my passport renewed in Subang (located at the building of former Terminal 2-Subang Airport). I'm amazed to be informed that my passport could be collected after 2pm on the same day of renewal (15May07)! Good job, Malaysian government :)

(note: driver of the day was my Dad....heehee...thanks!)

After exam on Wed, I caught a movie with Anna...Next starring Nicholas Cage, Julianne Moore and Jessica Biel. (note to readers: I'd recommend for u to watch the DVD/VCD instead).

Thursday, shopping for new suit! How exciting.....I think it has been 2-3 years since I bought one (from Padini @ MV-jacket+pants+skirt). Thanks to Anna once again for being my 'fashion consultant/stylist'.

TGIF! Time for My Fair Lady Musical.

Photos above were taken in the Plenary Hall KLCC Convention Centre @ our seats. LiLi did the necessary arrangements a month earlier to fit my tight schedule. Love ya, pal!

The show was definately better than Cats in Istana Budaya a couple of years earlier. Generally Act I was entertaining (altho' started a little late, approximately 8:15pm) but it was a little show towards the end of Act II. I was fighting to stay awake from 11pm onwards, as I went for the musical straight after work.

However there were few freeloaders, Spanish-speaking people seated at AAA37-40 who took photos & videos and had their feet propped up on the balustrade. Such rude behaviour!

Guess we Malaysian are accommodating BUT there are limits to our tolerance. I notified the staff there at the interval (approximately 10-10:20pm) and those people were asked to show their tickets. They bought cheaper tickets which were located higher up, therefore the staff escorted the 4 up to their allocated seats...yeah! No more distractions.

On the right's a scanned copy of the programme on sale (RM27) and my ticket.

Managed to reach home about 12am.....YAWN.....got to sleep soon, need to wake up early for graduation in Shangri-la Hotel, KL.....yet to choose top (blouse/shirt) to match my suit.....must remember to pick Anna from Puchong...Zzzzzz......

Happy Mother's Day 2007

To all Mom's out there, Happy Mother's Day! (20070513)

Mom.....I know if I can try harder, I'd be able to accomplish more in life and anger, irritate you less. But I know u also accept me as I am all these years of my life, testing your patience, stretching the limits that's been set, etc. No matter how angry or exasperated at each other we can get over trivial things, BLOOD IS THICKER.

Okay, mushy stuff's over.

How did my brothers and I celebrate Mother's Day?
My younger bro took the effort to come home and took a day's leave on Monday to avoid Sunday commute back to Singapore.
We didn't do much apart from dinner together @ Manhattan Fish Market, Subang Parade. My elder bro's gf joined us too. The 5 of us (my Dad's away that couple of days) had to wait to be seated since other families were out for dinner too on a Sunday+Mother's Day.

It's not much....I gave my Mom a cloth bag with zipper (just to be on the safe side, afraid of pick pockets).

20070511 Dinner @ Chilli's & Rosie-my 'adopted' Schnauzer

While I was in Sibu, my ex-colleague Jeisry called to arrange dinner on the night I was due to come back to KL. Well, being the food-lover that I am, I informed her that I'll be there.
Location: Chilli's @ Mid Valley
Photo on the right are 2 mysterious ladies....Jennifer and Jeisry :)

Han Nee was there too. However, Gaik Leng and Annie came a lot later. It was Gaik Leng's last day at her previous job while Annie just returned from Singapore assignment a few hours earlier.

Is she adorable or what? :)
On the left is Rosie, my 'adopted' pet Schnauzer that belongs to Jennifer and her family. It has been a long while since I've visited her. Managed to get this shot with Jenn's help by dangling a doggie snack at Rosie while I snapped.

20070510 final night in Sibu

Lots of things to do...arranging to pack our stuff after collecting laundry. Sadly I had to wait til following morning for the last of my laundry items.

Oh yes, before I forget...Mr Dobi Laundry in Sibu is the closest we could find. The personnel there do not follow instructions....yup, it's bashing time...even if you are willing to pay extra and wait longer for your clothes to be handwashed, the ladies there stubbornly refused to do so. It's up to their whims and fancies to choose which items that they feel is worthy to be handwashed. I brought 2 new knitted blouses there, both were damaged...probably due to long periods in the laundry's dryer.

Anyway, as per photos above, Ms Toh came to view our room and to give us a ride to the dinner treat by the Business Centre at a restaurant in Paramount Hotel. She waited while G and I freshen up.