Uni Life. The Endless Cycle.

A New Chapter, Monash Orientation: July 2012.

Ever wondered why books have so many chapters instead of just one? It's because that's a mark of a new distinct period in the character's life, where the author adds new variables, to liven up the plot, making the book more interesting.

Similar to my situation here, here I am, Day 1 of Orientation in Monash. Monash has a different style of running things (according to them, don't know whether it's true), that is for example, by letting the students themselves to take charge and organise the whole orientation event. Based on by observation, those students organising the whole thing are highly organised. The whole event was something like the "Welcoming the New Form Sixers" by Sixth Form Society that I once joined in Keat Hwa when I was in Form 6, except this was at a much larger scale.

As an introvert, adapting to this new environment was quite hard for me, especially in a place not knowing any familiar faces or friends. And it isn't me to make the first move to talk to people, I guess I have to start doing so, or my uni life shall be a lonely one. Fortunately, I met someone, quite by accident from Kedah!!!..., which is like so rare (most of them are from kl), pity he isn't taking the same course as me, although we will be in the same faculty.

Shall blog more about my life here in Campus in due time, currently am without an iPad camera connection kit (therefore no pictures), and without Internet in my residence or campus.

Job Hunting Experiences. :D

I'm back!... after a long absence from this blogosphere.

I know my blog has been "dead" for quite awhile, but there is a good reason to that. I've taken up a job! Well, 2 jobs actually, as a tutor and also a Switcher, a.k.a. a glorified Apple product salesman. :P

It all began when a friend introduced this tutoring job at Talent Tuition Centre to me. After lazing about at home for a good few weeks after STPM, and completing my IELTS exam in Penang, a job sounded just like too much work for me. I can tell you, at the very beginning, I wasn't very thrilled of taking up the job, it meant having to commit my time and often get out of my comfort zone. Who likes working? But I took the job anyway.

My first job experience wasn't a good one. The person my friend and I worked for kept on delaying in giving us a permanent tutoring class week after week. After a month, I got fed up, and I quit! I decided to hunt for another job. Although I tutored there for 4 weeks, I never did see the "salary" he promised to pay me.

The next job I took up was also another tutoring job, this time at Soyuz Tuition Centre. The lady that runs it, is from FGC (Full Gospel Church), and I must say, I am impressed by the way her tuition centre is run. It's very much different from most tuition centres I've ever been to. She offers almost every subject from Standard 1, right up to Form 5, and not to mention MUET and Singapore syllabus too, and the students are taught by after-Form 6er's, a going-to-be-pharmacist, going-to-be-accountant, and many more. And oh, she pays her tutors well too, RM15 an hour. :D

While I was tutoring, I found out from my dad that Switch was opening in Alor Setar Mall, and they were looking for part-time crews! By the way, if you are wondering what Switch is, here is a little info, Switch is a an authorised Apple dealer and service provider. Finding an Apple product? If you are in Northern East Malaysia, head down to your nearest Switch outlet! :P

Well, back to topic, I love Apple products, but I wasn't sure I was cut up to be a salesman. People who know me well will know that I have a problem talking to strangers. But I decided to give it a try, although I had my reservations.

Working at Switch was much different compared to my tutoring job experiences, although it doesn't pay as well. There was a job interview I had to attend. After that, I had to attend and pass a training programme, to make sure I'm qualified for the job, which I think is unique for a sales job. This means the company take pride in its employees in being well trained of the product they are selling. And oh, did I mention that at the end of the month (usually), there is a gathering to discuss the month's performance, usually on what needing to be improved, faults and mistakes to be corrected, or the latest announcements by headquarters or Apple? I'm sure this culture isn't practiced by many companies, which I feel is good as it breaks down barriers between colleagues and brings the fun into working. :)

Well, working at Switch has been fun, other than hitting the hours and sales target every month, I think I've gained quite a lot by working here. I shall be quitting Switch in a week. That's all from me now, shall be updating more often from now. :)

Book Review: Kill Alex Cross by James Patterson

Time flies, and before you know it, another month has passed. On a random note, I've finished my first book of the month! :D

The president's children has been abducted!... and the kidnappers do not want ransom. CIA, FBI, MPD and the White House are struggling to find the children. As time passes, with no leads, they are desperate. The longer the children are kidnapped, the lower their chances of survival. 

James Patterson can really write well, just after reading a few pages of the book and I got hooked. I mean, who wouldn't want to know some "behind the scenes" stuff about CIA and FBI on how they tackled the case?

As soon the children are kidnapped, another couple is introduced, a Saudi couple, arriving at the airport; Tariq and his wife, Hala. They witnessed a suicide death right in front of their eyes. The weird thing is, they clutched on to a pill in each of their pockets... and that's when I felt that this couple isn't going to be like any ordinary couple that they portray to be.

Things lead from one thing another, such as Alex Cross's grandmother wanting to add a homeless girl, Ava into their family. The introduction of the terrorist group, called "The Family", and key players of the group; "Uncle", "Grandfather", and how they were at war with America.

Rating: 8.5/10

Happy Chinese New Year!

Happy Chinese New Year to all those celebrating on this auspicious day! :)

Things Do Not Change, People Change.

 I'm sure you know this phrase is quoted from Henry David Thoreau, an author and others. That got me thinking, basic needs of a man a century ago and today still remain more or less the same. Man still requires food, water, shelter and human interaction between one another for sustenance. The only difference between today's world and the past is the technological advances which has improved our lives. And if you look at the bigger picture, you'll realize that things have not changed much, but people do.

Over the years, I've come to a realization that man is constantly improving himself for the better. Unforeseen events that occur around me affect me in my decision making, but ultimately, it's my decision that makes the difference. For example, when I was younger, I skipped classes which I felt were boring. I would sometimes sleep or skip off to the library where the time came for the subjects I disliked. The school disciplinary board came down hard on me and gave a an ultimatum, change my ways or be expelled from school. Although one mighty say that with friends, teacher and parents around encouraging and scolding me for the change, I believe that the most important push and motivate would be myself. When one is at the crossroad, who makes the decision in taking which path? You, and no one else. Once the decision is made, there is no turning back, as Robert Frost would have put it,

"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
......"

And I did. And that made all the difference to me. :)