Sanctuary

My financial goal for this year is to reduce my housing loan, substantially. I guess I am not alone, there are many like me out there, who are working just for their home (and a car, maybe) loan. After all, who doesn't want a place to be called home, a nest for the family or a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of a city.

But would you leave it all, and to stay in one of these houses, with a picturesque view right at your doorstep? No tv, no internet, no supermarket, no washing machine, no shopping mall; but all back to basic.

To be honest, I might.

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Congratulations!

Wuhooo!!! Finally, after so many years, challenged with many financial and family matters, you got your degree! Landed in second upper class some more. Hahaha, all your hardwork and midnight oils finally paid back in full.

Alice Leow, B.Art (Hons) (Accounting)

Sounds like a good title to add after your name, don't you think?

I am still waiting

I am broke.

The half month advanced salary received prior to the Chinese New Year is all gone. Still no news about the bonus and increment. The normal pay day is 25th every month, but there's no money deposited into my account, the last I check.

Su Ann was very optimistic, she even called me up to check the income tax deduction rate. She was dead sure that the sacred "B & I" would come this Friday, the last day of February. Wow, talk about positive thinking. I have a feeling it won't be ready, due to, well...... it's a hunch. Still, I crossed my fingers hoping that her wish would materialised.

MC or ML?

I called in sick yesterday. Nothing serious, just the typical post Chinese New Year sickness; sore throat and flu. Well, I was not alone. When I visited the clinic, there were about 5 patients in front of me; all coughing and sneezing. Must be the doing of those delicious CNY cookies.

The doctor was quite sceptical whether to give me a MC or not, because apart from the redness of my throat and some running nose, there was nothing wrong with me. If he was to refuse, then I will have to get my lazy ass back to office at 11.00am. Luckily, I managed to convinced him that I am not faking ill to skip work. I'll blog more about this next time and get to the main topic of this entry.

If you are a Malaysian, then you would have no trouble understanding the earlier paragraph. MC, in this context stands for Medical Certificate. Yup, a small piece of paper that entitles you to stay at home to recuperate from whatever sickness that you supposedly to have. Many (me included), have resort to this little paper as an excuse to delay the submission of project papers / to skip meeting / to attend interview / to go for a date / to do whatever as long as no need to work or school.

But have you ever notice that the way MC is used in today's communication? "Dear XYZ, please be informed that Mr. Banana is on MC today". Or "Hello Boss, I am on MC today". Shouldn't the MC be replaced by ML, as in medical leave?

It should be read, "Dear XYZ, please be informed that Mr. Banana is on medical leave today". But then again, it has already been part of our Manglish. Like it or not, the incorrect usage of MC will still continue.

Brotherhood

Flashback to 1995, when I first entered college. Alone, I went to lunch at one of the small restaurant nearby. It was crowded with college students, and I 'tumpang meja' with a bunch of boys. Since that day, I hang out with them.

It was an All Boys Club with more than 10 boys. From the risky cheating in exam (yikes!) to playing bowling, we had our share of tales to tell. In short, we had so much fun.

Skip forward to 2008. Most of us got hitched and the lucky one even have kids. All of us are busy with our lives. Our gathering dinner has expanded from 1 dinner table to 2. Our conversation topics nowadays mostly are reminiscenes of the past. Perhaps the only thing that still bonds us together is our brotherhood. Still, I hope we can continue our camaraderie for many years to come.

Deepest Condolence

My friend's father had passed on, following a relentless battle against cancer.
Li Huan, please accept our deepest condolence for your loss.

So sweet

Google always change its logo to commemorate important events and festivals. The latest version is the Valentine version.

Here are some of the other variants. Enjoy!

Reunion

Yet another thought provoking and heart warming festive commercial from Petronas. This time, it depicts the loneliness of a young boy, unable to picture the meaning joy and happiness.

Click here to see the video.

It is true, we often take things for granted. We do not cherish what is around us, until we are deprived of it. By that time, it is all too late. Chinese New Year and all other festivals are getting too commercialised. All the thoughts are devoted into shopping for new clothes, eating expensive meals and indulging in gamblings. But are these really the meaning of Chinese New Year?

So, my dear friends, it is time to go back to basic and understand the true meaning of happiness. Happy Chinese New Year to all.