Back to Reality

...what is a trip without a picture with our branch huh? :)

...and I don't think it will take you a million years to figure out where I went. 

(Yes, I'm always in long sleeves, because I'd rather suffer the heat than get tanned)

It was rather short, and weather was a little confusing at times. However, it was definitely a great extended weekend with the rest of my 200 other colleagues at work. This time not in the office, not on the tracks, not on the field but instead so welcomed by the locals and treated like true Champions on a very beautiful island. 

Definitely a destination to go to again. and again. and again. 

Thank you CIMB and congratulations once again to all the Champions! :)

Will blog more bout it soon! For now, let me slap myself back to reality first. Monday's here and I've never been happier to see my colleagues at work :)

My Weekend Favourites

First of all, YCM Great Women CEO At Work Series today went so well! The crowd turnout was overwhelming and Ms Rejina, MD of Nomura Asset Management was a big hit!! :) So, stay tune for our next one next month. We're bringing you another amazing CEO *hint hint*, you'll sign up even before we can post up the event - if you knew la ;)

Anyway, I packed for Bali in a record time. 20 minutes!! Hah! So much for stressing about packing. For a girl, I think I did very well :)

However, I always suffer from this missing-everyone-and-work back at home every single time that I need to jet set away. Haih...What is wrong with me!

Well, this time, I'm gonna miss my favourites definitely! It has been a routine that, come Friday night, we'll have our usual super supper. Aiman, Sya, Kak Aliaa, Abang Imran and I. Just talking about the most random thing, planning the most interesting outing and having happy-silly times just being in each other's company. Love them all!

And then Saturday and Sunday with the family loves and more time with the Ishak-Nadzim-Jaafar loves :)

Especially my favourite lil Consultant. He makes me smarter even when we're out for dessert. On a weekend! He's skillful that way, it amazes me. See how I stick out my tongue when he tests me. That's a sign that I'm thinking really hard....when actually I think dessert was in my head... or not! =)

A Break After A Break

Just a quick one. Remember this?

...and the times when I played futsal and bowling and badminton and...what have you. If anything, I love playing sports, and for the Bank, I'd do it even if it means that I have to train after working hours. Sports and my Company, 2 of my many weaker points. 

Last year, I managed a gold in athletics and seconds and thirds for the others. So today, the Bank has presented me with the best piece of paper ever - as a reward! Wait for it....

.

.

.

A return ticket to Bali baby!! :):)

Yup, the Bank recognizes effort and for winning, they reward you handsomely too. WOW! I know I've just been back a few days from London town, and now I'm jet setting again in a few hours. To a place where I'm planning to just enjoy the sun, go surfing with the colleagues perhaps, just play at the beach and spend quality time with my colleagues - OUTSIDE office. If you did not realize, I've only been jet setting to countries that has our branch! For the love of CIMB :)

Truth be told, I feel very appreciated where I am, and this is one of the many reasons why I'm so in love with my company. Ok ok, I'm excited but for now, I'm still swamped with work, preparations for YCM CEO Series tomorrow ( make sure you guys come ok! 7.30pm InterContinental Hotel) and this is all I've packed.

A passport and sunnies. Should suffice, don't you think? ;)

Checklist on the go! 

• Pack for Bali
• Finish up my deadlines in the next (very) few hours that I have (Oh God help me)
• Finish up the write up for YCM CEO Series tomorrow
• Did I say pack for Bali? *sighhh*
• Let Despicable Me play on the DVD to keep me company with the happy vibes :) (SHould do the trick in speeding me up with work!)

Ok, chop chop Alia! A million and one things to do before my flight in a few hours. HOMAIGOD! I might be needing some minions soon!

Singing with a Twist of Fashion and Style

Please excuse the excitement in this post. I’m filled with so much happiness and excitement even before I even start writing. I’m even singing whilst I write this!!

We are bringing you GLEE! Or better known as the Broadway Show Choir here at Broadway Academy. Singing with a twist of fashion and style is coming soon!

I’m sure most of us have heard about Glee. It’s a lie if you have not heard about it, because they’ve won numerous awards including the People\s Choice Award 2011, I’ve lost count! Last I heard, it has been nominated145 times, and up to date awarded 58 times!

But then again, it’s Glee. Even I, who don’t really watch TV actually sacrificed a whole day of events and sleep just streaming the WHOLE OF SEASON 2 when I was stranded in London! Come on! I knew it, performance arts has its superb upside too. How did I get into Banking again? :P

Anyway, about The Broadway Show Choir, we’ve opened up the registration, so hurry! How it runs? Those in the Show Choir will go through rehearsals to learn the music of the songs, and the choreography. Once the Show Choir is ready and fully prepared, we will move on to public performances and ultimately go on tour around Malaysia. Our song selection will feature numbers from various musicals, with animations and elaborate movements. Just awesome stuff! =)

Best thing is, it's open to those 13 years old and above, and no auditions are required! We'll just assess everyone in the first few weeks, and separate them into groups according to their abilities to ensure that everyone progresses at a pace that they are comfortable with. At the end of the day, it’s all about having fun fun fun!

Just to have an idea of what we have planned for the Show Choir, you can take a look at the Youtube links below. These are some of the songs we have planned up, and want to get ready for performances.

Check them out! :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkHV6THFoDs - Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyZeGOsR9IA - One

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXSyJ4CeUXo&feature=related - Circle of Life

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvaNnHjnnGk - Mamma Mia!

Some info:

- For the moment, we are scheduling the Show Choir rehearsals to be on Fridays at 8pm to 10pm. This might change if it ends up being inconvenient for most people. (Very flexible!)

- The membership fee is RM200 a month, which includes everything you need to be a part of this group - instructor fees, membership, costumes, etc.

- We have some performances planned for the Show Choir, so we want to have a fantastic group of performers that will love being part of the Show Choir!

Sounds like fun? Register now and join my team and I at Broadway Academy – where you will leave the studio feeling very happy. Everytime! Guaranteed :D

Pass this along to your friends, especially those who love to dance and sing and simply love being in the spotlight. We can't wait to get this started! :)

Drop me a comment or email me should you need further information. Much love from the whole team at Broadway Academy! Follow us at http://broadwayacademy.asia/. 

BATS Big Band Grand Launching Concert

So, I had my usual Monday night music classes. The time at the studio after work, with my Broadway loves which never fails to make me feel very very happy! Sometimes so happy that it comes to a point where I think I'm crazy :) There's something about performing arts, dance and musical that just give me this happiness inside and not to mention the motivation at the same time. Just amazing the energy that gushes through me when I sit through these sessions. Nothing was impossible!... or at least it felt that way.

My Broadway Loves R-L : Casey, Eunice, Marvin, Dom

What more, the selection of music Eunice gave me this time was from Disney and Wicked the Musical! Just awesome. Eventhough, erm...I think I might have eaten too much chocolate at work, just right before class, I couldn't control my voice at one point, it went too high when I sang Defying Gravity! *smacks forehead* Well, nothing beats an amazing team :) Eunice only encouraged me further to a point where I wasn't even thinking when I sang. I felt like as if I was in the music itself, if you know what I mean. Good thing our studios are sound-proof :P

After class ended, it was the rehearsals for the BATS Big Band Grand Launching Concert. Yup you heard me right!

The combination of free food (buffet too might I add) and great music is always the best, without a doubt! and it's coming your way very very very soon :)

Broadway Academy and our new-up-and-running Broadway Academy Talent School (BATS) with support from Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negara are bringing you the BATS Big Band Grand Launching Concert. The BATS Big Band (BBAB) was formed in early December 2010 and is made up of about 18 jazz musicians. The conductor of BBAB is none other than our very own man behind this Broadway - Casey Koh, the core founder of Broadway Academy (M) Sdn Bhd. The band repertoire includes well-known tunes like 'In The Mood', 'Copa Cobana' (which they rehearsed just oh-so-beautifully), 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow' and many more.

The creation and goal of BBAB is to perform meaningful music, talk about the importance of the jazz heritage in Malaysia, bring jazz music awareness to young people and not to forget offering audiences a relaxed and entertaining atmosphere.

This occasion will mark the official launch of the Big Band - and the Big Band hopes to get involved in many more performances - if not too quickly, in the near future. We have great talents in the team, and I never doubted for a second that they will definitely do great sooner than we think! :)

So, with that, free your dates and come join me and the Broadway Team at the event! You're sure to love it. Judging from the rehearsals we've had, it's definitely gonna be an absolutely fantastic show! So we're extending the invitation to all music lovers to come and be the first to witness the BATS Big Band in its inaugural concert.

Date : 28 February 2010

Time : 8.30pm

Venue : Taman Budaya Kuala Lumpur Jalan Tun H.S Lee

Cost : Zilch! Zero. It's free  =)

For more information, you can always look for us on facebook either at BATS Big Band Grand Launching Concert or  BROADWAY ACADEMY (M) SDN BHD

Alternatively you can just drop me a comment or email us at info@broadwayacademy.asia
If you wanna find out more about BAT School - batsinfo@broadwayacademy.asia 
Auditions - auditions@broadwayacademy.asia

See you guys at the event!


P/s : If you are a fan of Glee, stay tuned, coz I'll tell you bout it soon! We're bringing Glee to Malaysia! and Best Part is, you can be a part of it and tour around Malaysia ;) 

YCM CEO Series 2011 - Great Women At Work

The start of our YCM CEO Series for 2011 is finally here!!

This new year, we've decided to start with 'The Great Women At Work'. As you know, for our Great Women at Work series, we have had the privilege of hosting, among others, Dato' Mahani of ISIS, Datuk Nirmala Menon of ING Insurance, Yasmin Mahmood of Microsoft and Jumaatun Azmi of KasehDia. 

Well, at the recent Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) Open Day, I was very fortunate to have met a very humble, intelligent and amazing representative from Nomura Asset Management, who also happens to be one of the Lab Rep for the Financial Services. Little did I know that she was also the Managing Director of the company. Not until we exchanged notes and business cards that is. Indeed I was very lucky!  :)

So, guess what? This 23rd February 2011, you guys had better free your Wednesday night because Young Corporate Malaysians will be hosting none other than Ms Nor Rejina Rahim herself, Managing Director, Nomura Asset Management Malaysia Sdn Bhd (click for more details). Yup! She has very kindly accepted my invitation :)

You guys wouldn't want to miss this! Details are as follows:

Date : 23 February 2011

Time : 7.30pm - 9.30pm

Venue : InterContinental Kuala Lumpur (previously known as Nikko Hotel Kuala Lumpur) 

See you guys next week! Feel free to drop me an email or comment if you require further information. Alternatively, RSVP at our facebook page here and find out more about it!

Much love,

Alia Ishak

Convenor

Young Corporate Malaysians

http://youngcorporatemalaysians.com/

alia.ishak@ycm.org.my

No Place Like Home

Stranded no more! 

I arrived in Malaysia late Monday night, so I had to take emergency leave on Tuesday as I did not plan for a leave after my break.  I only started work on Wednesday and my-oh-my, my jetlag was terrible! I was wide awake at night and I was super duper tired during the day. I was very impressed to see my colleague though, (we left London the exact same time ok) so hyper and on the go at work, when I was just warming up. 

I guess I was walking (or shopping whichever) more than he was whilst we were in London :P

I've never been happier being back at work in KL. To be honest, whilst I was in London, I forgot that I ever missed it. I miss the people, yes, and I made it a point to see as many of the closer ones I'm with who are still in London during my trip. But maybe it's true when they say that "there's no place like home". I'm a tad bit proud too for the fact that I am back serving my own country. I really am. 

People may say so many things about working back at home, but if you don't give it a try, I guess you won't know. What more, when you can do so many things here! You'd be silly enough to just think of work and not make the most out of it, learning from every single thing you are involved in. For myself, from the extreme work, to networking involvement, widening the already-available platform like YCM and being actively involved in the fun loving activities like Broadway and weekly futsal/badminton/bowling, what have you!  :)

That's a lot to keep you busy everyday, every night - I only wished I had more than 24 hours a day! Hence why, I never really understood how people try to convince me that their life is boring and there's no fun back here in Malaysia and you don't learn as much. Seriously? You've only got yourself to blame if that is the case. and it takes a lot to make me believe it.

Last week was a little heavy for me, what with the jetlag and a working weekend! But amazingly, come Sunday night, I did not even realize that the (working) weekend has come and gone. I was (funnily) filled with so much happiness. Not really knowing why to be honest, but a gush of thankful and happy feeling were there in me throughout. I guess it's...

• when I had a working weekend but I'm filled with so much glee at the end of it. Amazing company throughout the working weekend.
• when I was summoned to be on standby yesterday, because the deadline is in 5 minutes, and approval was still pending. I wasn't even allowed to the restroom! haha! But it got approved A MINUTE before. Imagine the satisfaction! Well, I was ecstatic. 
• when there's a million and one things to do but it falls into place one by one, because you have awesome teammates who looks out and cover for you when there's one too many on your plate.

My Broadway Loves

My Work/Futsal/Race/Badminton Loves

My YCM Loves

I'm full of optimism sometimes, it worries me. But whilst I'm at it, I'm very thankful and I'm definitely enjoying how even the simplest things in life can make me very happy! Take me for a walk in the city to see buildings and lights. You'd be amazed how much happiness that would give me! Or perhaps, throw me into a musical. You'

London cousins I miss

Last week this time, I was stranded in London. So the cousins and I decided that we should make the most of the extra days that we had. So it was a cousins-weekend in-and-out! :)

Them I love!

Cousin A

 

Cousin B

 Cousin-to-be A (aka Cousin A's girlfriend)

 The most hyper or so they called me

I miss them all!

Perfect Birthday Part 12 - The Annuars

If anything, this girl is the one who was at most of my birthday celebrations!

It's amazing that we've had three birthday celebrations together, and the fourth one was all the way in London, and Ajjie was around too! This time, it was Along (aka Azzahraa) and Abang Amir's treat at Massi. Very exclusive, very delicious, very comfy, very posh. You name it. All in all, I loved the restaurant! :)

This was another birthday surprise that I did not see coming (again!). These guys are good I swear. As it is, I spent the entire day at Bicester, shopping with Ajjie and Abang Amir, and still did not know what was coming. And we already had a false birthday celebration the few nights before actually. It's a false one because, they have yet to get me a birthday present at that time and we wanted a girly dinner without Abang Amir. haha! Too cute. So it was me, Shasa, Along and Ajjie :) 

It's been a few months now since I last saw Along and Abang Amir. The last was when Along came over to the house for raya. It's very interesting how I knew Along first when I was studying in London. This is one very super duper protective kakak senior I tell you. Hehe... Then I came home, and guess what?! I'm working in the same firm as Azzwaa, the second sister. And coincidentally, we have the best friends gang, Vivy, Ajjrina, Shura and I.

So there you go, the history of how I am connected to all the amazing Annuar sisters. 

Azzahraa. Azzwaa. Ajjrina. 

It was such a good night. We did nothing but catch up on a million and one things. At the same time, Along and Abang Amir managed to slip in some good advice which I was thankful that they're always there for eversince I was still in Uni :) I'm just very happy that they'll be back in Malaysia for good soon!!

London had the strongest wind that night, everyone looked like Simba!

P/S : That's the end of all the birthday celebrations that I had. Phew...I think I might have just put on 10kg from all the food.