Haywire

When exam is in a few hours. Study leave has been nothing but exhausting. Sleeping pattern all gone haywire. My brain fuming from all the stress and I-OMF (oh-my-FBM KLCI) miss work and the hype when market opens everyday....

This is also the time when I master the art of power-napping! It's an acquired skill I tell you. 5 minutes would feel like 5 hours. Or better still, 10 minutes, and I'm already having a full-length dream.
Usually when this happens, I often have my phone in my hands all the time. Time is too precious and I cannot afford to power nap for 6 minutes when I only planned for 5. So what do I have when my system is a lil haywire? (Mind you, this happens everytime I have something due, be it work, exams, etc)

International alarm clock!

Yes, my darling will either PING! me, or call me until.... I wake up. This is truly the most difficult task for her, especially if it happens between my 2am - 5am. I'd even debate with her for an extra 5 minutes sometimes :P  You poor lil child, I love you Phoebe! :):) To make it up to that, I wake her up too when it's morning in the UK. Who said we needed to be in the same country?

Then comes the annoying stress level that builds up. Sometimes unexpectedly, and lately it has been quite crazy, even I cannot explain why I'm that stressed out! An accumulated amount from work and professional paper and whatever it may be. Yeah, must be

*sigh*

There's only one way I could do to 'pujuk' my system. And that is to remind my system about the good old studying days and how I used to have a love-hate relationship with it. How do I do this? Stack up on my favourite exam food!

Yes, if you don't know, all those chocolates ARE available in Malaysia (since many people have asked me)! I only wished they had Alpro Soya back home too.

Good luck to all those sitting for their professional paper this weekend! :):) I can't wait to get back to work next week!

Warmth

is definitely the temperature of Happiness

They stay well away from me - all over different parts of the world. But with technology, it feels like we are (literally) neighbours! I just got off a call with Aisyah, and it made me realized that it doesn't take much effort at all to get and give back happiness to someone. Just need 2 seconds of your time to set up the laptop, sign in onto Skype and tada! 2 seconds of your effort that will give you more than 2-seconds worth of happiness.

It's a routine that every morning Shura will bbm/facetime me before she goes to work (Melbourne is 3 hours ahead). Phoebe will bbm me when she's about to sleep, usually that's when I am on my way to work, and once I step foot at the office she'll head to bed. And Aisyah whatsapp me when she wakes up, usually that's when I'm just picking up momentum for work after lunch hours.

Usually it is the sense of touch we associate most of all with warmth. But sound, which is the form of touch at a distance can bring us warmth too. Warmth is the potential for all emotion and therefore makes life itself possible. It's so true. I'm always so happy at work, music class and my usual daily routine that everything just seem possible at the end of the day!

I spent the whole of last weekend with the lil nieces and my colleagues' children and I realize that a baby cannot survive without a mother's warmth. Well, in my case, someone familiar will do too la ok :P
Physical warmth - to be touched, cuddled, protected, caressed, rocked - is not a luxury but a necessary condition for life. My niece can be scared one moment, but hold her hand and tell her that everything will be ok is enough to make her feel happy back again.

Like kids, we adults also need warmth - psychological warmth. Sometimes we need to be touched and hugged like babies, but most often than not, we need someone to talk to, someone who knows and appreciate us. Someone who cares about us. Warmth then becomes a quality in someone's eyes, that you hear in someone's voice, sense in the way she/he greets us. It is at the very heart of kindness.

and it made me feel feel so happy particularly when my colleague recently came up to me and said "you can bring happiness and relief by your mere presence. So don't go on leave too long. The office is so quiet when you're not around la", it just feels great. Alhamdulillah.

Satu Malaysia

I got SO VERY stuck to this song this whole entire week, and I've not stopped playing it on repeat in the office.

I have also sang it out loud without realizing it (sometimes), many many times at work - whether on my way to the meeting room, rest room, meeting with my boss or random times. My colleagues think I'm a weird species!

But really, it's weird that the lyrics mean a lot to me and it motivates me! Definitely makes me proud to be a Malaysian. It has always been my favourite part when I was younger, that whenever I win in a competition, I will stand up straight and sing the Negaraku as they hoist the Jalur Gemilang. Sometimes, I'd tear a lil. Once, I even cried after Malaysia Open in Bukit Jalil. My final competition and Malaysia won. Too proud of the team. Sweet memories.

Now, everytime we go over to Istana Budaya for a show - I just love it when we are made to sing the Negaraku before any shows begin.

I'm a proud Malaysian.

To appreciate

It's true that people will greatly appreciate something only after you lose it (or close to losing it).

Otherwise, it's fine to not be too bothered or in other words take it for granted - because it's there. Or at least that's the typical play I see.

I always come up with many things that make me happy. Even the simplest things from music class to watching the beautiful and brightly lit KL City. Spending lunch time with my work favourites or even being with a great company is enough to make me feel blessed and thankful. I realised that the more thankful you are, the more good things will come your way. The happier you are, the more productive and motivated you will be.

Recently, I was talking to one of my colleagues who was so stressed up about work and I realized that it means nothing to be so angry and stressed up about some things. Purely because they're sometimes not worth your time being stressed about and it doesn't mean that if you are angry, things get done faster. It's only unhealthy for you. and you might just hurt people along the way (if you decide to be nasty to whoever you're angry with).

These days, people get so very caught up with work that when one (smallest and simplest) thing goes wrong at work, it seems like the whole world will come to calamity. Or on a different occasion, anything that happens outside the parameters they were stressed about, nothing else really matters as much. From their close ones to their prayers. I've clearly witnessed them.

On a different note, some people can either be the most insensitive person or the the most selfish one in this world. And this happens when they want something (to usually go their way and immediately). I don't quite understand why they allow themselves to chase victory in the most unhealthy manner. You may get that job, that position, but along the way you lose people's trust.

To me, a good attitude and appropriate code of conduct are more crucial than the string of A's. Hence why the saying goes "Be nice to everyone, whether on your way up or otherwise - for you might need/meet them when you are on your way down (too)". When things are nice and pretty, we humans, tend forget the more important things in life.

Hence why, my favourite part of the day is when I am able to transfer some of my happiness to others. To be able to make other people smile doesn't require much. Just smile on your way to work, those vibes will surely get transferred like a money multiplier in the economy. The more you give the more you get  :)

Sneak Peek - Whilst we get ready

After a very eventful Friday night and the whole of happy Saturday, I had to wake up with the most tired face, eyebags, sleepy eyes for

.

.

a photoshoot at Sime Darby Property this morning! 
(read: Ara Damansara)

Here's to the snippets of the preparations before the real photoshoot began

Lil Marsha and lil Aiman

Me with lil princess model

Princess in the making

Lil Aiman waiting for his turn to model. He was so hooked to Playhouse Disney, we had to bribe him away from the TV

Nearly done

My god, the whole team was just an amazing bunch to work with! I had a lot of fun with each and every one of the crew, that's for sure :) It wasn't easy trying to capture what they really want. From the way I sit, I look, I smile. The lightings and the camera settings. I didn't even dare tell them I was hungry coz they were working so hard!

P/s: We didn't even recognize ourselves when we were all done up! Now, I shall wait till the property-launch date to see the finalized version from the marketing team :)

After today, I'm even more in love with Sime Darby's properties. The interior and built ins are just excellent - beautified to perfection.

and look who accompanied me at lunch today straight after my photoshoot! I can never get enough of my lil nieces. They bring me such great happiness, bless them! :)

A True Malaysian

Owns a British passport. Can't speak malay. Only understands English and speaks with the strongest Irish accent! 

That all, describe my little princesses. 

BUT

.

.

.

A few months since they've come home to Malaysia for good, they can can now speak Malay. Understand Malay. Write in Malay. and... so intelligently speak fluent Mandarin too (read: in 3 months)!!! 

Oh my god. Which parents won't be proud? I was one proud aunty when Reana, mind you, she's only 3 years old, came up to me and asked, 

"Aunty Aya. Can I sing for you?"

"Of course"

*sings a full length song in Mandarin*

I was so proud of her that I immediately gave her the praises she deserved and the biggest hug ever! I was very very proud.

Lil niece and lil nephew

If anything, I've always looked up to my cousins. They have done so well as students. And then they moved on to build a very beautiful and loving family. and now they are back in Malaysia serving their bonds and the patients as a Doctor. Both of them.

I have so much respect for them coz they are such champions when it comes to prioritizing. They have got to be the most fun parents ever! I've lived with them whilst I was studying in the UK and I've always admired how well they have brought up their kids. And the way they communicate with the children, it's full of love and discipline - if you get what I mean. They can speak like an adult to the lil nieces and they treat the lil ones with so much respect. They also believe in giving only the best and the happiest things to the children. There has never been a single year when it passes by without the happiest birthday celebration every time they turn a year older!

Sophie turns 8

And then, look at this! They are indeed a true Malaysian at heart. Even I don't eat durian! But my nieces and even their cat? They eat them Durian clean.

 Next time I have kids, I'm gonna make sure they're the happiest kids alive! :)

Reana and I in France. I miss those travelling days in the UK!

... and then I have my colleagues who made a not-so-funny joke. "I'm sure when you have a kid next time, first thing you'll dress them in is this!"

Quite cute la. But hmm...I'm not la not-fun like that ok. Pfft.

To have your wildest dreams come true

I remembered having to dance to the song ‘Listen’ from the movie Dreamgirls when I was younger, during one of my dance classes, and I fell in love with the song immediately! I was still stuck in the world of boarding schools those days, so I have not yet watched the movie before I even heard the song. So, you’d figure that I was pretty excited to look for it. Today, I sing Dreamgirls' songs at work that my colleagues got so used to my random singing habits!

"The time was in the 1960s, and singers Effie (Jennifer Hudson), Lorrell (Anika Noni Rose), and Deena (Beyoncé Knowles) are about to find out just what it's like to have their wildest dreams come true. Discovered at a local talent show by ambitious manager Curtis Taylor Jr. (Jamie Foxx), the trio known as "the Dreamettes" is soon offered the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of opening for popular singer James "Thunder" Early (Eddie Murphy). 

Subsequently molded into an unstoppable hit machine by Taylor and propelled into the spotlight as "the Dreams," the girls quickly find their bid for the big time taking priority over personal friendship as Taylor edges out the ultra-talented Effie so that the more beautiful Deena can become the face of the group. Now, as the crossover act continues to dominate the airwaves, the small-town girls with big-city dreams slowly begin to realize that the true cost of fame may be higher than any of them ever anticipated."

AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL

That’s how I felt about the movie, and I only wished I could do performing arts just like them. Competitive sports and Performing arts? They’re totally different in my opinion. One comes with more pressure than the other.

I clearly remembered that I used to dream about performing at Istana Budaya, really. Our very own and very first theatre in Asia that is equipped with state-of-the-art stage equipment. Istana Budaya is also rated among the ten most sophisticated theaters in the world, and on par with the Royal Albert Hall in London by the way. But that dream was far from being materialized. All because I did competitive sports. We only compete. We don’t perform on amazing platforms/stages. So as a little dancing girl/gymnast/ballerina, I can only dream.

But come this July 2011 (14th - 28th to be specific), little Alia's dream to perform at the RM210 million theater hall, with theater's floor area of 21,000 m²  as part of the 54,400²  cultural complex will COME TRUE! The day I step foot on Istana Budaya's stage will be one of the happiest days in my life! One of my personal, life's happiest achievements definitely!

The Palace of Culture. The venue for both national and international dance and cultural performances, Istana Budaya is at par with the Royal Albert Hall in London and is a sight to behold. Cats, Fame and The Merchant of Venice are just a sample of the great plays that have been performed at the Istana Budaya, the centre of the Malaysian Performing Arts scene. 

To add to my love for performing arts, I'm also a big fan of buildings and lights! I don't understand how people can't appreciate the simplest things sometimes. It is so pretty, sometimes I feel like I'm in my own world when I appreciate this simple beauty. Local architect Muhammad Kamar Ya’akub, a graduate of the University of Newcastle in Australia, designed it. He incorporated many Malay cultural symbols into the design of the building. Certainly a world-class theatre with an individual character. The elegant Istana Budaya is definitely something I’m very proud of. I am a proud Malaysian.

That’s not all. Having the opportunity to work alongside our very own local stars, artists / penyanyi tanah air (some who have made it internationally)just gives me the energy to make this the best experience I’ve ever had! I’ve been going over to WATCH them in action at Istana Budaya, and now I’m happy to be able to WORK with them! From watch, to work. What more can I ask for? Ecstatic! :):)

Btw…Our music scores have also arrived from New York city baby! Ahhhhhh!!! So that's an ALL-MALAYSIAN TALENT, performing an INTERNATIONAL Broadway! Whoopee to Malaysian talents :)

*on cloud nine*

Dreams do come true indeed, if you believe hard enough in it and definitely if you work for it. It’s like a fairytale. After a musical session, I will always have a happily-ever-after moment, it’s unexplainable!!!!!!

Watch this space. I might…(read: might) just have tickets for the show to give out!!

Exhausted

Last weekend has got to be one of the craziest weekends I’ve had.

These days, everyday is a crazy day. I have to apply for leave to find the time to meet Leon - my very-stylish hairstylist. That’s a sign that the peak period is just around the corner, really. But that doesn’t mean that everything has to revolve around work though :)

So, I decided for a half day break last Friday to study for my professional paper. Truth be told, I only managed to peep through some pages and that was it! Before I know it, I had to rush to two different places to get my new dresses, and this is when I’m thankful for having an awesome personal fashion stylist. Who else none other than … Vivy. Haha! But usually this takes place

Me: Eh I like that baju!

Vy: Eh yeah I think it suits you too. It’s so you!! Try it!

Me: Tada!

Vy: *without looking* Nice! Go ask Fadza

Fadza: It’s awesome Alia! Get it! *whilst looking at the laptop screen*

Me: Ok, I’m getting it!

Vy: See, you just need a personal stylist

Me: Pfft

A hungry boss is not a happy one! :P

I love this girl! Just when I am too lazy to think, or she sees something that is suitable for me, that’s when she’ll decide to distract me off work to tell me about it. She’ll even decide the size for me. She thinks I’m S. What a kind friend she is. I keep telling her I’m XL.

So anyway, I ended up spending Friday afternoon with Vivy, Anis, Mama, Daddy and the rest of my cousins and lil nieces. Yeah, no studying nothing.

Then weekend came and it was me with them:

i)  6 Exams (Oh the horror!)

ii) 2 Weddings

In ONE weekend.

I’ve never been THAT exhausted. Both mentally and physically. It felt like all the energy was sucked out of my system. I wished I could take my lil brain out, place it on the fluffiest most comfortable pillow and allow it to take a rest. It’s been awhile since I left my student days ok. 

Unfortunately, I had to report to work early on Monday and guess who greeted me?

Exam dates for CIFA (Certified Islamic Financial Analyst) qualification!

So that’s 2 different professional qualification papers to sit for in the next 2 months and another coming up in September. Wish me luck! Goodbye sleep! I’ll see you next year.

So he tells me about them Aliens

Think about it.

Aliens! Green, weird shaped, one-big-one-small eyed creature walking around disturbing our peace, or perhaps coming to make friends with us. Then comes the thought of aliens swooping down, stealing you from your home and taking you to a place that was never known to any being on the planet. Terrifying! Perhaps if you could invest a few dollars to insure both your family and your peace of mind, sounds like a good deal, no? Ok la, I haven’t mastered the skill of a good sales person (yet) :P

So, Aiman has been influencing me a lot about Aliens and their existence lately, so much so that when the word Alien strikes, I’d start clicking and exploring – performing researches on it. It’s insane. Since when did I ever become interested in all these?!

Today, it just got even better when I found out about the “Alien Abduction Insurance” that is clearly available in this world! Appalling! See, you learn something new every single day! :P I’m lucky to be working in a bank. 


I'm imagining our meeting with the clients will look something like this... With the red hat is Saiful! HAHA! Sorry Saiful, you're just nice to annoy =D

Well, St. Lawrence Agency happens to be the very first company to offer UFO abduction insurance! When I first found out about this, I was laughing my head off for a good…20 minutes?  I started imagining the craziest things - I ended up staying in for lunch to do a research on it. That was when my colleagues took me seriously and started being so interested as well!

It started out when the owner, Mike St. Lawrence learned about the threat of alien abductions that he got the idea about this - he read the Whitley Streiber's true-life novel Communion in 1987. This is what you call “Nothing is impossible”. Genius don’t you think?! I’m still so amazed! Prominent policyholders even include actress Shirley MacLaine and a Harvard (!!) professor who has written extensively on aliens. Apparently, demand is still high. Haha!

So what did he do next? He added UFO abduction insurance policies to his existing agency and they freaking-pay $20 million if the policy holder has an alien child or is eaten by aliens (hahaha!! I can laugh all day reading this sentence). Look for Lloyd’s of London, it's one of the famous insurance giant that insured celebrities like the Finger of Rolling Stone guitarist!

I was speaking to Kak Aliaa over lunch, and I thought if it was in Malaysia, the only picture I had in my head was a spaceship that lands in an open sawah padi somewhere (or in their case, some CEO’s heli-pad probably) and picking up Aiman and Abang Imran! HAHA!

Or perhaps, I can relate this idea to my boss and we can start working on a takaful contract for it?! Wow…I’m so filled with ideas, I’m starting to believe in Aliens a little more now! Maybe, to make it more acceptable in Malaysia we could do up our own legal documentation and tweak the definition of Alien in there. Product bundling with other banking facility sounds awesome too!

…but I guess the very first (baby) step would be to scare create the Alien awareness amongst Malaysians. Don’t think it’s that difficult. We just need to hire Aiman and Abang Imran and the idea will be selling like hotcakes in no time! Haah! The crazy ideas we have sometimes…

New Best Friend

The only thing I have my eyes set on every. single . day is the messiest table at work belonging to this girl who is so crazily-in-love with her work. Sometimes, I don't even get to see her table! Yeah, it's that bad. Well, I used to actually sit on an even messier table! But, this girl saved me from his.

And last weekend

.

.

she decided to take me along for breakfast at Pink Sage, and guess what?! I made friends with the cutest-most-intelligent bunny ever. In the whole wide world!

Meet my new best friend. 

AJ

That's A-Jay. Do not mispronounce his name, he's quite the particular type. 

Yeah, we clicked quite immediately.

And you know what else he does? I found out that he blogs too! Awesome paw-some! He blogs just about everything I swear. From work, to aliens from Mars. From fun loving corporate activities/events to the best Jaffa cakes. Apparently, he was mentioning that his owner is just as crazily-in-love with work as mine. *smacks forehead* 

Don't believe me? Check it out here on AJ Bunny.

What is up with people these days! I'm quite happy being an octo really, not having to go to work and yet I get to travel verywhere, make new friends - I just can't stop smiling! Some of my cousins are even travelling regional now! Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore.

=)

Fortunately, I have 8 'hands'. Comes in very handy as I write up this post, since my owner is being annoying and studying for her professional paper. She just decided to ignore me tonight.

wait...

 Did I tell you how amazing AJ is? But probably because it was our first time meeting each other...Not probably la. I think really.

Because, soon enough he was being such a bully just because I'm shorter than he is and helpless. Pfft... So much for a new found best friend. But hey, secretly, he's amazing though. I may just like him ald!

Sshhh...Don't tell him. *shy*

Him and his bunny wisdoms. Do check out what he writes from time to time!

Much love, 

Lil Octo

Bankers gone bonkers

When I got this tagged to all my belongings, only then I felt the Bali vibes! Trust me, none of us actually felt it before that, thanks to the crazy work load we had. Part of me wasn't even ready to leave work I tell you. 

Whilst packing for Bali that night, I kinda got really excited thinking about the beach and sun with sunnies and the sleep time I was planning to catch up on. 

Next thing I know, I was too scared to face the sun! So the whole 4 days I was there, I was ALWAYS in long sleeves, sunnies and sunblock. SPF what? 150? Psycho much? Well, like I've said before, I would rather suffer from the heat than get tanned. My colleagues were all in their 3/4 pants (guys) and bikinis (girls). I swear I did not look like part of the team. AT ALL. 

I stayed under the umbrella and in the shade. ALL THE TIME! Until.... I just had to get on that surfing board! OH-EMM-GEE. I never knew I could surf y'all! This was the deal, if I could stand up for 2 minutes and surf all the way to the shore only then I'll pay my instructor. If not, he just failed and I don't pay. I was quite determined to purposely fall at 1:59, secretly la. 

Boy oh boy, was it tough! I don't even need to purposely fall and I'm already in the water. Haha! But that only made me want to make sure I can surf. I did not come to Bali to try out surfing and fail ok. It'll probably kill me if I went back without being able to surf. Suddenly I got so pressured. Pressured to make sure I can surf! I think Bankers naturally have this "I have to make sure it happens or I'm not leaving!" in them. 

Soon enough, I was paying my instructor. Yup! I was able to surf all the way to the shore on both small waves and big waves. I.WAS.SATISFIED. *pats myself on the back* 

I got the hang of it and afterwards, I couldn't stop surfing. An achievement indeed! I didn't even think I was gonna go surfing to begin with. My instructor was the best though! He could read me well and was encouraging me at every attempt :) If you did not realize, I was in long sleeves too whilst surfing! I suddenly had the biggest love for long sleeves and sunblock (on a whole new level) in Bali. haha! 

I shall save the pictures of when my colleagues looked smokingly hot in bikinis and all la k. They're all taken anyway :P

Then come the next day, we decided to become a little more adventurous. We went for FLYING FISH! What on earth right?! The more reason why we wanted to try it to be honest! It looked crazy. Afterall, this is the time when you try out new things - for the experience :)

 

When I had to pen down my signature in that insurance form - only then I started asking myself what was I paying for?! They had a death clause too btw! *smacks forehead*

(yes, I was still in long sleeves :P)

Well, there's always a first for everything isn't it? 

See this? We were lying on our back, unstrapped and having NOTHING hold us down onto the float. *Haih*

I did not love myself enough is it?! I was still debating with the guy about safety and how we need to have some kind of safety belt or we might just fall into the sea when we're in mid air.

His next reply was "Itu la baru bagus dan enak!"

O_o

Freak.Of.Nature

This shut me up the next minute...

Yes! We were flying up high in the air on the left (WITH NO-FREAKING-BELTS!) and I....actually loved the thrill! I swear, I'd do it again and again if I could. It was a very nice view when we were high up in the air and the sea was nice and clear, I suddenly forgot that I signed that insurance which had a death clause 

:S

I say, it's a must try. Worth your money and the experience really! Haha, now berani la cakap. Hari tu, I nearly puked. But jokes aside, when in Bali, try all the crazy things, coz you might just not have the chance to next time. Come on, you should do things you never thought you'd do. That would give you the most satisfaction!

3 days in Bali and I had A LOT OF FUN! I'll definitely go there again :)

It's all about the oil

I know I was supposed to tell you bout Bali, but hold on. Let's take a break from holiday mood and get some heads cracking - since I just got back to work today! :P

So what's new? Some O&G companies reported a loss for Q4. I wonder too how the market will react tomorrow.

Crude oil prices have started trading at the USD 100-level once again. What's that in Ringgit? RM 305-ish?  Last we saw this was back in 2008, the spectre of a derailment in the fragile global economic recovery looms just as the world is working its way out of the slump triggered by US subprime crisis in 2008. Too much weak credits being extended to customers indeed!

High oil prices will definitely have a negative net effect on the world economy. Sustained high commodity prices curb economic activity, hurt corporate earnings and government finances and fuel inflation. Impact on financial market is also hard to ignore as corporate earnings will be reflected by stock prices, while high inflation influences central banks' monetary policies.

Higher cost will of course impact consumption, that goes without saying. Sustained high prices of the hydrocarbon commodity could lead to slower consumer demand in the US - the world's largest economy. US would then import less from exporting nations such as us, Malaysia.

In simple maths, costlier crude oil = higher cost of doing business = more expensive consumer products = less disposable income for people like us = reduction in the propensity to spend. 

However, if companies go the other way around and decide to absorb the incremental costs = lower profits = leads to businessman trimming capital reinvestments and freeze hiring to safeguard earning = lower employment. 

Then inflation comes in. Rising inflation in Asian economies has fuelled expectations of further interest rate hike. So far, stock markets have reacted adversely to rate hikes expectations and of course the unrest and tensions in the Middle East. However, rising inflation can also prompt investment demand for crude oil, purely because it acts as a safeguard against rising prices.

I guess the one thing that will always play in our little mind is whether it will last and how high will oil go?

Disclaimer : I do not represent anyone or anything in any way. This does not act as an investment strategy either in any slightest way.