Friday Everyday

First of all, I think it's only right that I spend sometime to commemorate those who left for NS. No no, I'm not saying they will not come back or whatever, but this has a much more bigger meaning to it. NS is probably the best reflection of fate. However since I don't exactly comprehend the idea of fate, I rather use the term uncontrollable circumstances... get? Lol, okok seriously, why would I say that? Many of us know the crossroad that lies beyond school is more like a ginseng root than a forked road. But, this uncontrollable circumstances I talk about transcends these paths laid before us in the sense that it has to happen, however in actual meaning, they are just another straight road, or rather a long detour to the next ginseng root crossroad. Alas, NS would have been the best example if people like Cheng Hong didn't defer, making NS another crossroad, a choice, but of course most of us have a really good picture of fate without me pointing out here. Lol, but enough about that. I wish and pray for all my friends attending NS and hope they will have a great time and at the same time come back in one piece, now back to blogging.

With this post I attempt to fulfill 2 request, one by Ming and by Ka-Hui, which is to blog and to blog about my working experience at T.G.I Fridays respectively. Well let me start things off with a brief yet accurate summary of the whole TGIF working experience...

I WANT TO CUT OFF MY LEGS!!

No seriously, I really want to cause, its not exactly tiring BUT! Who la ask me so smart choose a TGIF that has 3 floors? Come to think about it, I think this might be the only one in Malaysia with more than 1 floor. But enough with that interesting-fact thingy, seriously its not as FUN as I would have thought, working in a restaurant and all. Our store happens to be the one that grosses the lowest revenue among all in Malaysia and the atmosphere there really reflects this fact. Atmosphere here doesn't refer to the managers or staff(which I will touch on later), no no not them, but more like the traffic of customers. By hearing stories from our managers, we are convinced that in other Fridays, the work till their socks go missing, seriously. But at our branch, we are quite blessed enough to be able to laze around and talk and get to go home early that kinda stuff. Oh well I suppose thats all there is to the bad side of working there at THIS BRANCH take note which is very important note to take. Its mostly slow and leg breaking due to the 3 floors.

But now I would like all of you to divert your attention to the good side of working here.

All of that would have been unbearable, seriously, I don't mind working my socks off which would be better cause I would just quit on the first day, but what makes me come back to work, or rather keeps me at work is the one and only, TGIF Section 14 CREW! That's right, the homosapiens that flips on the power switch every morning and night and cooks you that not so bad food lol. Seriously I have been so blessed to have such great colleagues, truly. And not just that, my bosses aren't half bad as well! In fact, I think they are possibly the best bosses I've had in my entire lifetime!(which is not really long but well...) Truly wonderful people, from the kitchen to the floor to the office, great people. And that really adds the colour to my life here at Fridays. I'm sorry but these sorta compliments need to be told "In-Your-Face" style so if I ever meet any of you, just make me stop complaining about work and start talking about the people there because truly I have so much "smile-material" stories to share. Since typing the sentence before this means I just ended the post, I shall elongate it further with what better things, pictures! and with captions to! Haha! So scroll with me people!

This is me and Rachel, one my colleagues. She is from China and is currently studying here.



Left to right : Nicole,Eva, Andrew, Chee Kong, Katrina and Rachel



Left to Right : Wai Meng, Balvinder, Andrew and Chee Kong



Here we have 2 of many burst boys, Balvinder and Andrew, renacting a scene from "The Godfather". Everyday wouldn't be Friday in Friday's without these 2 and many more.



Here is probably my most favourite picture so far. Though its not exactly a full group picture of the whole crew here at Friday's but this picture shows the diversity of the crew and a true testimony to how everyone there is so great.

Standing(left to right) : Chandra, Balvinder, Wai Meng and Sutha
Sitting(left to right) : Chee Kong and Andrew
Chilling(left to right) : Babu, Desmond, and I think his name is Shaka Khan, or we just call him "Shortcut"



And last but not least, here is a picture of my wonderful boss, Mr. James! He is also another burst bo-- i mean burst man lol because seriously he is such a fun and jolly fellow, only when you don't screw up! =P. The guy beside him is Vinod, another one of many who makes life at Fridays so enjoyable. I'm sorry to Daniel,Delilah and Mike(my other 3 mini-bosses) that I don't have your pictures, but just to let you all know, they are also very burst too! XD!

Haha yep! Hopefully this post has fulfilled your appetites of how Friday's is like. The crew at Friday's come from various backgrounds(not just nationality) and it really is so diverse. I'm not exaggerating that everyone knows everyone at Friday's and when we shout out ,

"TGI FRIDAY'S HOW DO YOU FEEL?"

everytime, we answer back ever so sincerely with the following in perfect unison,

"WE FEEL GOOD, OH WE FEEL SO GOOD, OH!"

because the F in Friday's stands for another meaning, Fellowship.

As I reach the end of the post, I can't help but reflect again on how things are slowly changing. Like how Ming touched on Then and Now in his last post, especially for most of us(the people my age) and those of you who have already gone through this stage of life or have yet to, it is truly a heart-breaking stage where we don't know if the "goodbyes" we say to each other would be our last or not. Making choices, coming up to these crossroads itself is an uncontrollable circumstance that each of us will eventually go through. What I really want to tell all of you and myself really is that

Don't regret anything

Live your life to the fullest(not taking drugs or hooking up with prostitutes and all that crap) but you all know what I mean. Though I do have my regrets and I'm sure all of you have yours too, but don't forget to look forward because life is full of surprises and God made it that way, in a good way. I'm not that blind to overlook the blessings He has given me these past few years and I'm truly thankful as they are my treasures. Treasure your treasures or Captain Jack Sparrow will come after them! Haha, POTONG!!!! =P. Well I have to stop my emo-ness at some point,right?

Oh well this is really the end now guys and gals. Before I go I wanna bid to all of you a Happy and Blessed New Year 2008! I would think twice about what to put on my New Year's Resolutions if I were you all! We won't wanna be procrastinators now would we =P. All the best to those starting college and leaving to elsewhere (you know who you are) and most importantly don't forget to come back! ='). ( you might get to eat TGIF with 50% discount!) Lol, alright, have a nice day and thank you for reading! Enjoy your visit at your one and only, Two and a Half Men blog!

Bye Bye My Good Friends

Dearest Jal and Sarah,

I'm so sorry I've been MIA for the past few days before you guys went to NS. It is with my deepest regret that I didn't hang-out with you all and its made me hate work so much more.

I wish you both the very best, although you won't be able to read it here. I feel kinda syiok-sendiri, but then again its the thought that counts doesn't it?

Love you both, and can't wait for you both to be back and hear all the screaming and shouting again. Its kinda odd without you guys now. The screaming and shouting I make echoes back at me and it doesn't get any louder. I never thought screaming and shouting about gossip was going to be this sad. *wipes tears*

As for your post Jal, thank so much for giving a shout out before you left. It really made me miss you even more. The FORCE will be with me now! I will be needing it to deal with the happenings of my life in your absence.

I await your "burst" stories from NS camp.

All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go...

All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go...

It's actually the day I leave for NS already. This will be my last post before you guys get posts from NS.

I am starting this project of mine where I send mail back which come in the format of blog posts for the blog. Hopefully it will be insightful and will show what it really is like in NS.

I think thats all. I really should go to bed now. It's quite a long journey to Kem Jiwa Murni, Perak. And I'm guessing there will be activities for us as soon as Day 1.

To my other one and a half men: May the force be with you.

To all the people who wished me the best for NS I thank you.

I will be back on the 5th of February to celebrate Chinese New Year.

Till then, TTFN

Jal

Oh, kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go

'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane
I don't know when I'll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go

Then and Now

This is Then, (2006)


Dear bloggers, as I have mentioned in my last post, photos are evidences of how much time has passed - that it didn't just stay frozen. Look at the pictures I have posted and you'll realised how much all of us has changed. I don't even remember Sarah having centre-parting! And Estee with braces! (you can't really see it in this picture) I'm glad all of us became much better-looking over the year! I'm not tutting my own horn, it's true. You'll see.







This is Me, Jal, Sarah, Alwin, Jessica, Estee and Wee Kiat in Aquaria. (Jess was taking the picture). We had such a good time in there. The aquarium is sort-off a free ride thing. Its only one part of the whole place. So you can go through it
as many times as you like. Which we all took advantage of. We went in twice. We wanted to go a third time, but all of us were having headaches by the second round already. Maybe it's because of the moving floor (it moves to keep you going) and us trying to take pictures while the floor moved us. So do forgive, if the pictures aren't very nice and clear. The floor was moving okay?








Right, heres your evidence of Estee in braces. Although I might be in danger right now from her (for posting a picture to ridicule her), I can't help it. You all have to see this picture to be able to realise how different she looks now! Even me, I was actually a little bit too skinny in my opinion. The oversized shirt made me look even scrawnier than I actually was. Thank goodness I don't look like that anymore. And Estee, try to be a good sport and not "burst" because of this picture and my comment on it! *winks*































This is Now, (2007)


This is Me, Michelle, Estee and Kye Ling at the Curve. See, Estee looks so pretty now doesn't she? Braces can do wonders, you better thank your orthodontist Estee!


Me and Sarah in prom night. Look how different she and I are now. I can barely recognize us if compared to the earlier pictures. Sigh, wonder how different we will be in 10 years to come?


Burst girl and I. I like the red dress, reminds me of Tinkerbell from Peter Pan. Except when she was telling me how the dress looked like, she said : " Like tinkell bell wan lar, you know zig zig zag zag at the bottom wan". Oh my goodness imagine my horror when I heard her say that? Thank goodness the dress was nothing like her description.




Florence and I in prom night! Florence looks like a Hollywood star in this picture! Yet she was insecure about how she looked that night. My goodness, there shouldn't be anything to worry about when you look THAT good.

Mariam, moi, Aida and Jal at Prom Night. Everyone looks so posh and nice. I absolutely love it.

Can you guys see the difference now? I can. I can't believe one year has changed us so much. Wonder how we'll all look like in the many years to come. I guess Estee can't wait to see me when im sixty. She'll love to see my wrinkles and sagging fats. Oh my goodness, lets not go there.

Okay, guys I'm running out of ideas and photos to blog about. This blog has become more about me than the 3 of us. How come you guys don't update the blog anymore? You bitches.

Faces from the Jungle

In my living room, I have a wall devoted to the visual history of my family. They make me think of notches in a belt or scratches on a prison wall - proof that time has passed, and all of us have not been only swimming in a dream. So, my blog post this time will be all about photos.

A photo says, You were so important to me that I had to catch your face before anything else happens. So to all the faces whom I'm about to show you, I love all of you so much that your faces are like pieces of trophies to me. They might become paler in shine as time passes, but I won't forget to polish these trophies when I don't see them anymore.

It doesn't take much explaining after these two pictures to know why going to camp is such a life-changing experience. It's one thing to see pictures, watch Discovery Channel and admire the beauty of the jungle. And its a whole other thing to see the jungle for yourself. Is it as good as you expected?

Nope, : its everything you expected and so much more.

Who said canned food is the only option in a camp? Heres photos of the combined effort of all the campers. Probably the tastiest all of us has ever eaten. Not because it was so delicious, but because we did it together in a jungle. That probably added more flavour than Ajinamoto ever will.

"Wait" I said.

"What" she said.

"Huh" another she said.

"Oh I just had to shit, the feeling's gone now"

"Oh My Goo-d-n-ess, Yong Ming you are so UGLY"

-a quote off the daily chat of these three friends.

When you're in a city, Fire is hardly something all that important. People cook with electric stoves, electric kettles, electric whatchamacallits. In camp, fire is the whatchamacallit. Without it, the bugs come, the night feels like the Artic, I don't see any further than Huey Ee's face whose 10 cm away from me (except Hui Xian's jacket which glows a little), and everyone feels totally claustophobic- like a blanket of darkness has confined you. What I'm trying to say is, fire is underrated of its importance. Camp has taught me this.

Okay, this picture say so much more than you'll ever know. Thats Florence and her gang trying to sing I'm A Slave 4 U, which came out totally wrong from these people I tell you. Somehow, they managed to make I'm a Slave 4 U sound not slutty. Which is quite odd, if you think about it. I mean, how can a song with that kinda of title not sound slutty when sung? Sorry guys, but your singing was that bad~!

And heres Seck Houng and his group singing Gimme More. It was so hilarious. Seck Houng actually counted the amount of Gimme Mores there is in the song.

" WHAT this song got soo many gimme more? sommore times 3 ar the chorus! Walao"

Haha, Seck Houng these moments of yours are priceless. Look how Kevin is lauging at you!

And the final picture is probably the best done act of the whole night. Alwin, Hui Xian, Kitt Lei and Wee Kiat! Well, actually they didnt even get the Candy Shop song tuned right. They just spoke all the lyrics. Which is... ahem. If you've read the Candy Shop lyrics before, you'll know what I'm harping about. Its sick, and we heard every word of it from the voices of Alwin's gang. Nuff' said.

Two thousand years ago the night sky looked completely different,so when you get right down to it, the Greek conceptions of star signs as related to birth dates are grossly inaccurate for today's day and age. Its called the Line of Procesion : back then the Sun didn't set in Taurus, but in Gemini. A September 24th birthday didn't mean you were Libra, but a Virgo. And there was a thirtieenth zodiac constellation, Opchiuchus the Serpent Bearer, which rose between Sagittarius and Scorpio for only four days.

The reason it's all off kilter? The earth's axis wobbles gradually. Life isn't nearly as stable as we want it to be. And I might lose all of you with time, but I believe friendship is something that lives on in the heart despite not seeing each other again.

Even if the Earth itself is wobbling.

What do you think you "two other" men?

Re: Safety of my house from the Half-man

WHERES THE JAL I KNOW IN THIS PIC?

Aww, that line made me cry Ming. That was cruel! How culd u! Lok u evn mde me splling n grmr bad!!

Haha, I'm right here Ming.

Sorry, for the long hiatus. Was trying to write about prom, that'll be the post after this. But on to more important issues, you.

To be or not to be a doctor? That is your question?

The answer is sometimes very simple. But what Cheeks covered is actually the gist of my advice as well. Passion and love. If you love doing something, continue on, by all means. You of all people should know that what I like to do I more often than not keep on going with it, things that I don't like or hate, I stop. Like physics. I think what one wants to do in the future, or plans to do should have everything to do about likes and dislikes. I sometimes feel frustrated when people say that "I want to become a (insert professional job here) because its a professional job and people will look up to you, I will have a safe life, not in debt etc." I get aggravated for the sole reason that person isn't doing what he/she likes to do. I think doing something you love even though you'll be looked down upon is noble.

That is why I have loads of respect for Inessa. She is confident in doing something she has fallen in love with even though going into performing arts in Malaysia isn't the most money making, professional job there is. But don't get me wrong, if your ideals are to earn money, help you parents out in the future, live in a big house and many cars, by all means, go for it. Because that is your passion.

But to get back to you Ming, like Cheeks said. If you have this urge to help people and earn a VERY decent living at the same time, go for it!

There is a quote which I truly, truly adore:


It's not talent that produces theatre. It's a monstrous hunger."
Yoshio Wada, Director, Rakutendan Theatre, Tokyo

I think the saying goes for everything in life. As long as you have this monstrous hunger in what you want to do you will achieve it.

So, Dear Ming,

Stay hungry. Just stay hungry.

PS: I absolutely LOVE the picture Cheeks posted up of you. It is totally, totally, smile production material.

Reply : Ask Cheeks

Firstly, the picture you posted Cheeks, proves exactly what a bitch you are. Not only is it sooo unflattering, ... well I just can't believe you posted THAT picture! What if someone at work comes across this blog? I don't even know how to begin explaining it to them. AHEM!

And you Jal, thanks for being such a GREAT friend. You better give me a good long post and apology! I'm distressed, WHERES MY POST!!!!!!!!!!!!! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.

Anyway, what you say is true Chee Kong. Passion is the truest yet most underrated virtue. Enthusiasm will come if I am passionate about my job. And right now, I am convinced that I'm passionate about medicine. Sorry for the moment of weakness there, anyway thats what this blog is about anyway.

By the way you bloggers out there who are looking for Uni or College textbooks, the place I was talking about in my previous post is seriously great! Check it out if you want to. Its in SS14 beside Maybank, its quite easy to miss, so keep your eyes peeled for "University Bookstore".

Work was great today and Im feeling quite enthustiastic right now. So not much to bitch about.. yet. Until the next time~ da de dum.

And Jal, if no posts comes by the end of the week from you, rest be assured your house won't be safe. A mad half-men is coming to attack both your dogs and trees, I am not kidding.

(WHERES THE JAL I KNOW IN THIS PIC?)
Love ya both =)

Ask Cheeks

Dear Ming,

I understand how you feel about everything. School, friends, studying, work and life. I miss school, I'm gonna miss my friends, I'm going to resume studies soon and I despise work. However, let's not digress.

I think its brilliant that you pursue an ambition as a doctor. Its a very noble and sacrificial profession, but that is where you have to start to evaluate it. It's good that you identify your problems because that is how you are going to start to tackle them. I think working at Friday's here is turning out to be a great preliminary test for you before you get the real taste of being a doctor. Why do I say that? Simple. You're just only reached your second week of work and so many crap happen to you. Your planning totally screw up due to last minute changes, unexpected events, missed out on family trips and etc. Think about it, isn't this kind off like how you anticipated a doctor's life would be? I don't think this is mere coincidence. I think God placed you in a position where you could catch a glimpse of the path you chose to take by putting you in Friday's, at least that is what I think.

Secondly, after evaluating the scenarios that I mentioned above, take a look inside of you. People always say that you MUST LOVE what you do and I think its so true. Sure its hard and there is all that society's pessimism that tells you doing what you love is impossible but there is where you have to strive to pierce that pessimism. So ask yourself, do you have the passion for being a doctor? And really I have to say that would be the deciding factor. Is saving people, helping people, what you genuinely love to do? If yes then by all means go for it. I think it is important for you to make your decision base on this very criteria, it would make the difference between a happy or a miserable life. AND don't be afraid to try. If you're really not sure about it still even after all that, just give yourself time to try and continue researching about medicine and all that, and see if you would still have a passion for whatever that is you want to do.

Lastly, don't be afraid to fail. Lol, what the **** am I talking about? What I'm saying is that, if you decide that halfway through you hate being a doctor, don't hang yourself or whatever, pick yourself up and try other things. Think I'm talking rubbish? Yea maybe I am but like you say, people change in due time so there is always risk in every choice. What I'm saying is that don't worry, just heck it =P.

Well I suppose thats what I want to say about your dilemma on pursuing your career. If you want advice about other stuff.. Well, I won't know what to say really unless if you specify it then I might try. However, even if I can't get to you, someone can, and that is God. I'm talking about prayer. Whatever it is, wherever you are, whenever you want, just pray and ask for His guidance and advice. The answer might not come directly, or might not even come at all in a short period of time, but God hears you and He definitely will consider your request and put it in your schedule of life(unlike some other manager I know XD!). Haha, so don't worry about it. You could always turn to us but for someone you can always turn to PLUS will never let you down, turn to Jesus. Thats all for my cheer up post lol, now for a picture! I hope it turns that frown upside down or even get rid of some of those pimples! =P

Choices... If only they didn't exist

Jal, when are you going to start blogging again? You're really a bitch la I tell you. I better see like 5 million blog posts before you leave for NS. I want something to read everyday in the time you're gone. I am NOT kidding.

Anyway, today at work during my break, I went to University bookstore. You know the one that Pn. Harminder told us about in Lit class ages ago? Point is, the store was fantastic! It stocked all sorts of foreign textbooks for tertiary education and private schools. (GCE A-levels, SAM, blah blah you get me right?)

I haven't felt that much excitement and enthusiasm flowing through me since like.... god knows when. You know lar, how I get when it comes to new books, especially those in pretty covers.

So I was reading a few Chem and Bio books (honestly I was just browsing ok?) and then it hit me, how much I miss studying. I miss stressing about exams, studying new theories and all. Work is just so dull compared to studying. Sigh, can't wait to get back to school again.

Then when break was over, I came back and had a nice chat with my colleague at the front door. Her name's Shamini. Anyway she asked was my ambition to become a doctor? And I was like, "What the hell? You read minds or what?". She really took me by surprise as nobody ever said something like that to me before, so I asked her why. Then she said I just looked like a doctor.

... How exactly does a doctor look like? I mean, I'm not complaining. I'm gunning at medicine anyway, might as well get the look down. At least to some people I LOOK like a doctor.

So it all added up. Her comment, all those books, it really made me wonder and reconsidered my plan. Is the choice I'm about to make really right for me? I mean, will being a doctor have the same feeling working as a desk boy for Fridays? Probably not, but I'm sure some of the principles would have similarities. What if I didn't like the non-flexible hours? Sigh, this is so confusing.

You both are supposed to be helping out in my life here. You bitches better post something useful to cheer me up. With the packed timetable and all this thinking going on, I could really use some advice. I'm all ears.

Really, if only choices didn't exist. Life would not be as fun of course, but it will be less complicated.

signed, grumpy ming

Good Moments Never Last

Prom night was seriously off the hooks. It was such a great night, seeing all the old taman-sea goers clad in formal gear. Everyone looked so glam and nice, I felt a little bit emotional seeing them all. We've come so far since Form 1. Everyone is so grown up already.

What really struck me that night was that I wouldn't be seeing most of these people anymore. Everyone has their own plans, futures to pursue, and dreams to fufill. All of us will no longer be stuck together in one place, complaining to get out. The irony of it makes me wonder about life itself.

Thats how it is isn't it? One moment we are thinking what to do when its over. Now we're all wondering what we could have done when the moment lasted. Keeping the memories alive in our minds is probably the least we could do. The good times shall never be forgotten, and may they be the base to newer and happier memories.

I guess the reason I'm being so emotional about this is because it didn't hit me that school is out until now. There will be no going back from this point onwards. I can't believe I'm saying this, but: I miss school so much. I miss the teachers, the company, the whole works. Nothing else could be the same ever again. Some things in life just can't be duplicated.

School has helped all of us grow into the people we are now. We have the teachers and the friends we met to thank for that. All of us might meet new friends and have new good moments.
But one thing stays true forever. Good moments never last long.

So enjoy them while you can. Before you know it, we'll all be 50 talking about our sex lives as if it we were discussing what to have for dinner. It'll no longer be a weird thing to discuss because of the age.
Jeez, the idea gives me the creeps. If only we could freeeze time to all those unforgettable moments. That way I can remember who I used to be clearly.

"It is the blessing of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them"
-Ralph Walds Emerson-