Back from Ho Chi Min

Just came back from Ho Chi Min. A business trip at short notice - Flew off on Wednesday, but was only informed on Monday -_-". Anyway, since it's only for a few days, I don't really need much time to pack my stuffs. Work wise, it was horrible. We worked like crazy on both Monday and Tuesday, even before fly off on Wednesday, till we reached Ho Chi Min... My conclusion for working late on both Monday and Tuesday was: Woman a troublemaker - women are so indecisive and women change their minds at all times... Is that a in-born nature in women or women can do a bit of changes which will make life better?

Apart from attending the budget meeting, my only "aim" was to grab "Pet Shop". I forgot the name of the plaza where I got this product during my last visit. Surprisedly, Vietnamese doesn't really recognise this brand. The receiptionist tried to her all means to search for me, although she didn't manage to locate it. It was my cousin later told me the name of the plaza - Tax Plaza.

I'd been telling my other colleague, whom I shared my room with, how cute was "Pet Shop". Being affected by me, she aimed to grab something for her daughter. As I reached this outlet at Tax Plaza, I got very excited, just cannot "tahan" the cutiness of the goodies. Can you imagine I spent nearly 2 hours in this this cramped outlet? Me and my another colleague had almost turned the outlet upside down, searching for the bag and pouch because there were just too many choices until we didn't know which one to get. My other colleagues couldn't understand why we could immersed ourselves in the goodies so decided to dump us there.

"Pet Shop" products was quite cheap 2 years ago. I heard from local that the inflation rate in Vietnam hit 15% last year. I can barely feel the price shock as I shopped in Tax Plaza or Ben Thanh Market. It didn't stop me from shopping though. Things that I bought was not volumous but it cost me 678,000 VND still, which is equivalent to SGD67.80. Crazy eh?

There is another shopping heaven for visitors but NOT for myself. I don't like shopping at Ben Thanh market cos I don't really enjoy the fun of bargaining. Basically I don't really know to bargain and ppl always take psychological advantage over me. I know myself will kena chopped by those Vietnamese. That proved me right cos I was kena chopped this round for that one and only thing at this si ren Ben Thanh Market. There was a deep cut in my purse for the bag I bought for my mum. I paid half the price this si zhu Vietnamese girl asked for but still, it was much higher than other stalls asked for before further bargain. *!!!!!!* I then find this place a very sickening place and I really feel like cursing that si zhu girl to the hell. If I ever step in this city next time I will never ever spend a single cent at this sickening place again. It's not the money that matter, ppl who knows me well will understand that I really hate being deceived. I'd rather go shopping plaza where the price is fixed.

As I shopped with majority the aunties, my shopping style had become very auntie style as well. I even follow them buying cooker, soya sauce and chili sauce. -_- Frankly, I never expect I'd do something like this before. The price was considered very low. When my boss told me she always shopped for unecessary stuffs cos she couldn't "tahan" the price as it was too cheap to go for it. I truely understand the feeling where you cannot resist the temptation. The stainless steel cooker cost approximately SGD11.50. It was not a necessity for me but I thought it worth the price for chinese new year. My auntie colleagues who knows the market so well told me it's not available in Singapore so I also die die want to get one. Haha.


It was intially a business trip for budget meeting, coincidently Vietnam office was celebrating their new year party on Friday. It was some sort like our D&D. As our HQ office was rather small, so my boss decided to let the other staffs joining the dinner as well. They were very lucky staffs as they were there purely for shopping and dinner for 3 days, without the need to work. The message on the wall was something like "happy new year". Seeminngly the watermelon and ketupat were a must to go with the message.

Had dinner at Blue Ginger which was highly recommended by my boss. It was located at District 1 which was renowned as one of the best Vietnamese restaurant. What amazed me was this "one string" instrument this Vietnmaese girl was playing, as well as the 春联 which was in Vietnamese.

The development of Vietnam is much more rapid than I expect. I was told that the average salary per head was USD300+ which really exceeded my expectation. I don't know how true it is and I don't bother to confirm as well. I still believe a country can only do well if the government put effort in education. I cannot comment from my Vietnam office aspect as they're in leading IT industry and most of them are software/ hardware engineer. In general, those ppl in service industries still cannot speak English, even cannot understand simple English which is quite disappointing. With no offence, I also think they're quite rude. For instance, I tried to change VND in airport for SGD30 and I was like being told off by this girl as if it's a criminal offence to change VND that equivalent to SGD30 instead of SGD50 just because they don't have SGD to change me back. She refused to change for me is one thing, she yelled at me was another thing. It was such a bad image she gave to a visitor especially when she works in airport. A few times we're treated as if we owed them 100 million and yet, asked for tips somemore. I look forward to the general improvement in this area although they will take AGES to reach there.

Luxury watches - behind the scenes

George Ø says:
I am international sales for a watch component fatory.
Veerla says:
any particular brand?
George Ø says:
oh.... yes... top ones.
George Ø says:
and I just discover Bulgari also source in China... I totally lost faith in those luxurious brands.
George Ø says:
they purchase er..... USD 100, then sell USD 10000... this is madness.
Veerla says:
u mean bulgari?
George Ø says:
even jewelly...... this is insane.
Veerla says:
Gosh... is the quality there or not?
George Ø says:
yup... I recently got contact with their purchase arm in far east.
George Ø says:
quality is still there... they will inspect here once, and send to Italy and switzerland for verificatin again.
George Ø says:
but..... if I spend USD 5000 on a ring, I dont want to face the fact that it was polished in a sweat shop by some chinese kids.
Veerla says:
i tot they're manufactured in switzerland
George Ø says:
they have easy life now, they just pass orders to far east, then focus on quality and development, and final assemble. then they spend all the cash on marketing
George Ø says:
there are still die hard brands who dont want to purchase from far east, like Cartier, because their margin already crazily high.
George Ø says:
but it is a matter of time, they will come one day.
Veerla says:
i never noe that....
George Ø says:
okay..... hope it doesnt jeopradise your shopping fun next time.
Veerla says:
hahah...
Veerla says:
frankly i'm not really fans of watches
Veerla says:
watches to me is just a time piece
George Ø says:
ha.. sure it is. it just gives me a sense of fun to see ppl showing off their flash watches...which cost them USD 1000, but I know that it only worth about USD 20.
Veerla says:
yucks.... but they're very smart
Veerla says:
i reckon branding is very important nowadays
Veerla says:
ppl recognises the brand more than anything else
Veerla says:
a good brand name is equivalent to faith
George Ø says:
indeed it is.... even knowing the fact, I still gaging for branded goods.
George Ø says:
there is a textile factory close to us,, they make all these Tommy Hilfiger garmets(authentic ones).... selling by tons. not per piece.
Veerla says:
then?
George Ø says:
same story, i love the brand, and willing to pay USD 80 per piece, knowing that some one is laughing his head when it cost USD 1.0 or less.

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It's Friday!

Yeah, it's Friday!

Friday used to be the most stressful day throughout the week as it was usually the last day of audit and I used to be under stress to complete the field work and finalise the file... Used to be.... but no more today. The feeling was great. I spent my whole day on net and did a bit of research to resolve the issues my company's currently facing. Plus, everybody knocked off sharp at 5:30pm today. Because it's Friday! Hoho.

I found my new workplace a very interesting area to explore. It's totally different from city. There was at least one thing that would surprise me in a day. Always during lunch hour, my colleagues would tell me about the warehouse sales and the foods around the place. Right after the lunch, I'll follow them to the warehouse sales. It's my first time vist to the warehouse but they're not. I notice they could have visited to the same warehouse during the sales period for more than 2 times. That's amazing..... Or they would tell me this supplier of Monsoon is clearing their stocks, buy one free one and ask me if I'm interested. For the whole week, I spent my lunch hour like an auntie - shop for home products. I successfully grabbed a Hush Puppies Queen size bed linen at $15, hair mask + hair tonic + 2 hair rebuilder altogether at $58. After office hour, there's door-to-door pirated DVD seller will ring the bell somemore! I never had such experience throughout my work life in the past 4 years. Compared to town area, life is too hectic. I can't even afford to utilise one full hour lunch time but always grabbed quick lunch or skip lunch. Facing this group of ppl, I need to adjust my pace to suit them and be more patient as well.

Skype plays a part in work now. Now then I realise how wonderful this Skype is.

About my new job

Thanks everybody for your concern. I'm doing well. I didn't really expect I could have received sms or call or msn from friends, checking out if I'm doing fine with my new job. Very gan dong.

I'm in commercial industry, no longer in professional field. Difference between commercial and professional is its professionalism. *craps*

1. Lesser accounting standards I need know, as in I'll need to know those that relevant to my industry and, of cos my company;
2. Work nature is more routine as every month's basically doing the same thing;
3. More adhoc assignments as business is on-going. The #1 in my priority list keeps changing as and when new issue is encountered.
4. I can proudly chase auditor for financial statements now. Haha.

The working environment is pretty friendly. The finance team is quite small, all girls. *Too bad* The only guy in my office is my CEO. The existing staffs have been telling how good my 2 bosses are. Based on my observation, my 2 bosses appear to be friendly and easy-going. They join us for lunch if they're not travelling. We're not having a stressful lunch with the presence of the bosses though. There will be no discussion about work but they're sharing all kinds of stories. I enjoy my lunch hour unlike before.

That's all I can tell at the moment. The people, the environment and the job scope seem to be a perfect match for my ideal job. I hope my luck is with me along the way. Guan Yin Ma bless me.

提防宵小

昨晚一直没有什么睡意，可能因为傍晚小睡了一下。在 youtube 追看“恶作剧2吻”，突然听到一声不太寻常的声响。像是东西敲打铁门的声音。那时大概是凌晨3点。起初还不以为意，因为后面家的 uncle 有时会在半夜活动。半夜会有人到访。我不知道他是做什么的，总之不是什么不正经的事，却很有钱。尽管如此，我依然会走出房门往后窗望，只是为了确定一下心理的猜测。这次，他家的后门并没有打开。可是我依然相信事出必有因（音），所以就走向厨房往窗外望。结果，看到了2个人。2个华人，年约40 的uncle 级人马。

观察了一阵子，没有在第一时间笃定他们是贼，就因为他们是华人。而且是穿着 proper 的 uncle。可是在这种时候不用锁匙开门，不从正门入，而是在尝试撬开后门者不是贼，是什么？所以我赶快冲去告诉弟弟。他在打着PS所以也还没有睡。再叫醒父母，好让他们通知后面的邻居。妈妈看到这样的情景非常的紧张，很匆忙的就想打电话给他们。可是爸爸觉得这样会打草惊蛇，应该先报警，让警察来抓他们。从他打电话颤抖的手，我们都看得出来其实爸爸也是紧张的。铁门在那时已经被成功打开了。还剩最后一道门。

我再走回厨房，想看看情况怎样，那两个人已经不在了。还是有一阵的杂声。后来，看到路旁的一辆 Wira 飞快的奔驰而去。接着没多久，垃圾车来了。巡逻的警察车也到了。只不过那两个贼跑掉了。后面的邻居始终联络不上。

我家这个花园区每个晚上都有警察车巡逻。3点以后的 frequency 就少一点。我家后面的邻居每晚都会开着后巷的灯。加上靠近 main road，一直都有车子来来往往的，路边的车子经过都会看得到。让我不禁觉得这两个人的大胆和猖狂。另一点有 impressed 到我的是警察的办事效率。警察在报案后的5-10分钟就到了。爸爸打电话去柔警总部，弟弟在一分钟后在打去区域警局，他们已经被通知了。柔总还责怪警察没有在第一时间赶到。爸爸还得替这2个警察打去总部解释说，贼在警察来到前就已经跑掉了，而不是他们来得晚。

事后我和弟弟对整件事做了一次的分析。我们都觉得我们太早惊动父母。很显然的，妈妈并不能处变不惊。妈妈紧张到心跳加速，不知所错。不管什么事情发生，当下都应该 stay calm。 警察来到之前我们还是可以做些什么。像是通知邻居，然后大家一起出来把路口封起来，有机会在把他们痛打一顿。这是所谓的守望相助的精神。可是这年头，谁跟你谈守望相助？守望相助这个词是我小学年代的词。现今的社会，华人都怕死，自私。华人都喜欢用钱来解决事情。我们的名言：可以用钱解决的事都不是坏事。比较起来，马来同胞和印度同胞反而更有互助精神。看看路边，如果一个马来人出了什么事，很快的就会有人施出援手。华人呢？看到掠夺案也最多是隔岸观火。大多人都怕惹事生非。

把电话关起来或把电话线拔掉是非常不明确的。You never know 可能那一通电话可以救你。对，我们都希望一觉好眠，可是危机意识还是要有的。我们都得留一条路 for ppl to reach us. 像这一次，如果那两个贼真的破门而入，男主人又不在家，那 auntie 和他的佣人，小孩都还不知道发生了什么事。

年关将至，这样的事应该会一直上演。我想新年前的这段期间还是尽量不要夜归比较好。 我一直有这种 perception，小偷，抢匪都是异族，或者是外劳。这是我人生中第一次亲眼看见这种坏事，看到的坏人却是华人。唉，有手有脚的为什么不去做工而要抢钱？

早上被一阵嘈杂声惊醒。其实经过这一段插曲我并不能深睡。听到妈妈的 auntie 朋友说有3个人尝试破门而入她邻居的家。那时4点多。相信是同一班人。因为妈妈在事发时就已经打电话给她分布在各个区域的 auntie 朋友，叫他们提高警惕。这贼还是没有得逞。因为 auntie 通知了那家人。可是，相信他们还是会在回来。

我相信警察会加紧巡逻。我突然对警察重拾信心。因为弟弟说，如果巡逻的警察看到路旁停有车子，而车上有人，警察就会 block 那辆车了。警方已经有在做事了。

请把这个电话 save 进你的 contact 以便不时之需：柔警总部 - 07-2254499。不管你再新山哪个角落，headquater 都会在最短的时间联络区域警署。警察很快就会到。

庸人自扰

爱恨一肩挑的滋味是怎样？

天下本无事，庸人自扰之。笑一笑往事随风飘。

Talk to idiot box??

If somebody told you their work is to talk to idiot box... What would you think of?

The first thing that came into my mind was this telephone box. I imagined she works as a receiptionist in this telephone box.... Oh.. hahaha... which would mean she sits inside this telephone box and answers the phone call... But wait.... do we have such telephone box in Malaysia?? Obviously no....

Veerla says:wat do u work as huh?
@nnie says:talking to idiot box .. pls guess ..
@nnie says: hehe
Veerla says: talking to idiot box?
@nnie says: yup ...
@nnie says: a hint for ya
Veerla says: huh? wat kind of box?
@nnie says: erm .... black square box...
Veerla says: dunno leh
@nnie says: the thing that u r facing/looking at it now ...
Veerla says: is this black square box??
Veerla says: and how do u talk to it??
@nnie says: ha ha ... ok lah ... IT Administrator ...
Veerla says: wahhh
Veerla says: walaooo ehhhhh
Veerla says: ur hint hoh...
@nnie says: the computer ... is an idiot box
Veerla says: apa hint itu??
@nnie says: ha ha ha ...
@nnie says: ciplak hint
Veerla says: walao... i won't be able to link computer to black square box lo..
Veerla says: i'm using laptop all the while u c
@nnie says: ai yah .. laptop also a square box ...
@nnie says: it only thin n slim one ..
Veerla says: walao eh
Veerla says: hahahaha
@nnie says: cracking ur head o...
@nnie says: ngiak ngiak ...

Tell me who talk to computer?? -_-

I'm a low-blood pressure freak

Whenever I suffer from dizzy spells, I know the "culprit" must be my blood pressure. It has never been this low before. The fast heartbeat was caused by a cup of coffee.

What to do when your blood pressure goes low? Drink as much water as you can!

My mouse broke into pieces

Since I start working with mouse N years ago, I've never "tortured" a mouse to this extent. All of sudden, in 2 seconds, it chose to "die" in this way - wu ma fen shi. Gosh.... see the brand? Well... made in China. -_-

New work life will be commencing on 14/01/2008

I've got an offer. I thought it's a dream, until I received the employment letter today. When things come too easy in a way I somehow feel insecured. I was in shit luck for about 4 years, especially last year, a damn bad year for me. I've so used to meet bad eggs in the past years, a sudden change where I suddenly have such lucks is really incredible. It's a blessing.

Anyway, it's an exciting opportunity where I think I could pursue as a career as it allows me to grow. Of cos there are challenges ahead to conquer but it's totally different from what I'd been dealing in the past. When I worked as auditor, it would be the technical knowledge that I need to enhance. Whereas in commercial industry, I believe it will be the interpersonal skills that I need to polish. When dealing with ppl becomes the centre of the work, it could be challenging. Always, it's not the job itself is difficult, but the ppl who makes the job difficult.

I'm glad that I'm now moving into management and be at corporate level. That's what I'm looking for in short-term. I'm asking no more than that at the moment before I prove my capabilities.

To conclude, life is full of surprises. Cheers.

Let's drink.

Let's drink, my friend. My treat - Carlsberg's 160th Anniversary Brew. Alcohol content of 5.5%, deliver a pronounced aroma and easy-to-drink beer as it claims.

(Picture provided by Ming jie jie)

Anchor Strong, MC jie jie who urges me to try. I never see someone who would recommend others a beer and yet told her the beer taste like kerosene (or paraffin oil). An alcohol content of 8.8% and I guess it must deliver a burning sensation after drink. According to her, one should mix it with 100 plus or 7-up should he/she finds the beer too strong and taste awful. I have bought a bottle but..... don't have the guts to try. Haha.

New year. New beginning.

用了5个小时，换了一个新造型。不是故意选在今天，只是想了很久，考虑了很久，参考了各方人马的意见才决定该把我这个半长不短的头发“办了”。头发，要嘛就长，不然就让它短，半长不短真的很让人头痛。就像“半桶水”一样让人无奈，处境最危险。最后还是决定把原本想留长的头发剪短。还自己一个干脆利落。毕竟自己能给予头发的营养有限，肥油倒很多。可惜，头发不吸油。

去年同一时候，当我“KaZaA” 把及腰的长发剪到耳际，也是在娴小姐的陪伴和鼓励下，海先生的肯定下，还有洲先生好奇的驱使下而对短发有信心。对，过程往往都是复杂的。人都需要别人的认同才会有信心 (去年还真的有被那“一年半载”的话吓到。让我感觉到时间的力量)。无独有偶，海先生在家发霉两个多星期需要透透气，所以娴小姐和海先生又是第一个“见识”我的新发型的人。

忘了娴小姐叫我 blog 的东西是什么了。。。。成语的正确用法吗？只是我终于明白要用什么方式加心态和海先生沟通。哈哈。要祥先生多和海先生多沟通以训练EQ是行不通的。因为祥先生只会专注的听，听累了就说想睡，对EQ没有多大的帮助。让他去GIANT 排队还钱可能比较有效。呵呵。

今晚的成语大全有：以此类推(海先生因为用错而被娴小姐纠正)，匪夷所思(娴小姐讲的，impressed 到海先生的)。海先生用对的2个成语我就不记得了。哎，我的毛病，也是一般人的通病，就是对别人犯的错比较有印象，普通好或者是有进步的地方就不当一回事。

今天我了解到原来我在没什么要求的根本下的要求是蛮严苛的。原来我在意的东西是那么的表面。可是我知道，这样肤浅的要求不会停留在2007，2008会继续燃烧。

2008年的第一天，5个小时在发廊，3个小时多的谈笑风声，3个小时的吃吃喝喝，1个小时在路上，2个小时的reading time, 其余的是睡觉时间，就这样过去了。睡觉的时间占了大部分，意味着好的开始。