What?! Status Pending...?

Well, i was supposed to be retrenched by the company that I am working for now.. BUT...

This is the email I sent to both GM and HR manager -->

Dear both,

Sorry for interrupting your busy schedule. Anyway, I believe I need clarification from both sides as it has become a ‘he said she said’ situation.

Let’s jog our memory with the sequence of event,

10 March 2009
Announcement of Retrenchment by Dato’ Momo San. The list of retrenchment is given on 13 March 2009.

13 March 2009
Was informed by Mr Sticky that ‘they’ (should be referring to Mr Sticky and Puan Zorra who were in the same room) haven’t come to a conclusion either to retrench Ms Tina together with 1st batch (service ended 10 and 12 April respectively) or to retrench later as her service is still needed in order to work on Annual Report as Ms Sannie’s requested.

It was on mutual agreement that Ms Tina would extend her tenure until mid or end May to assist in the completion of Annual Report. During which, Pn Zorra did mention that Ms Tina will be given 1 month notice prior to the retrenchment, which the notice will be given in April.

25 March 2009
An email was sent to Pn. Zorra requesting for the notice letter and at the same time sending the form from Jabatan Tenaga Kerja.

Was informed by Pn Zorra that she couldn’t provide the letter as Ms Tina is not serving the notice period yet, at the same time, was informed that the probation period will be extended and notice will be given in April.

* refer to attached email dated 25 March 2009

25 March 2009
Jabatan Tenaga Kerja (KL branch) has just confirmed in receiving the retrenchment list from MIECO on 25 March 2009. Total number of employees affected 17, 15 females and 2 males. The confirmed list of names has yet to be provided to the department.

31 March 2009
An email was sent to Pn Zorra by Ms Sannie regarding Ms Tina status. And again, was informed that Ms Tina will be compensate based on retrenchment package and the timing is delayed due to annual report activities.

* refer to attached email dated 31 March 2009

1 April 2009
Ms Sannie tendered her resignation.

7 April 2009
Ms Tina received letter to extend her probation period and stated that the status will be reviewed by Middle of April.

24 April 2009
After not receiving any feedback by middle of April, another email was sent to Pn. Zorra regarding Ms Tina status, as she felt that there would be a twist of event with the resignation of Ms Sannie.

Pn Zorra has called Ms Lina and informed her that her last working day is pending for Mr Sticky’s decision. However, Pn Zorra will consult Mr Sticky when she sees him in Kuantan.

* Sequence from email dated 25 March 2009.

30 April 2009
Received email from Pn. Zorra that Mr Sticky would discuss Ms Tina’s status.

8 May 2009
Ms Tina discussion with Mr Sticky and phone conversation with Pn. Zorra.

Based on the sequence of event, I believe you would have ample time to inform me whether the retrenchment package is either valid or void, considering the circumstance that arises. Even if I was on medical leave, I believe there are 19 working days in April that you’d be able to contact me whenever I’m in the office.

I am aware that I am under probation and am not able to expect much from M or may not qualify for the retrenchment package. I would like to highlight that there are other employees who are still under probation and just worked for 2 or 3 months that were being retrenched. So the notion that I am not qualify for the retrenchment is overstated.

However, the thing that upset me most is the non-communication even when you have already knew the situation, which is very ironic for me as I am in the communication department. A drop of email or phone call would suffice if time is crucial for a face to face discussion.

I am looking forward for a better explanation from you.

--------------------------------------

1. I hope I wouldn't sound very harsh
2. I want them to release me
3. I don't care about the retrenchment package anymore

Initiating a Path

“路是人踏出来的…” – Lu Xun, Father of Chinese Modern Literature.

The quote simply says that ‘A person initiates his/her own path’. I may not be able to translate it in a more beautiful phrase but it has been resonating in the back of my mind since I was a teenager.

When I was a teenager, I always have a feeling that something is lacking in my life. I was on a lookout for an answer which I couldn’t get and sometimes (or most of the time) I delved to those motivational or self help books in a quest to understand what is happening to me.

When I was in my junior high, I was introduced to Lu Xun and his works. Initially, I wasn’t paying any attention to his work. Back then, his short stories were being read to pass the exam as his works are the ‘in’ topic. However, there was one day, when I leisurely read one of many Lu Xun works that I came across the quote – ‘A person initiates his/her own path’. I was pretty sure I was depressed that time and looking for something to boost my spirit and that quote came at the right time.

I might be experiencing the same feeling that I had then that the quote keeps on echoing in my head even when I sleep. Initiating and choosing a path is definitely not an easy task to do… so, I wish myself all the best luck in the world!

The Taste of Overly Bitter Chocolate

Lately I feel like crying. It wasn’t a thought and I was crying a lot for a matter of fact.

It is all started in 10 March 2009 when our chairman announced that the company have to retrench certain number of people due to the economic crisis. Following the announcement, came the judgement day on Friday, 13 March 2009. Every tortured soul in the company can’t help to relate the bleakest of Friday the 13^th to the current situation that they were facing.

On the judgment day, we saw one by one of our colleagues were being called into the conference room. They were briefed and given out letter to note the notice period that they have to serve.

I was the last person to be called for the day. When I was walking towards the conference room, I bumped into my boss who was going out from the room. He saw me and making his way back to the room again. I took a seat and waited for the Human Resource lady to join. I thought I’d be seeing files and letter but there was none. The table was clear. I was anxious. I don’t know what to expect. Then the lady came into the room, the ordeal starts.

"Well, I believe you knew what happened to our company already… I’m giving you the option to stay until mid or end May to help up with the annual report. Do you agree with it?" Boss asked. I nodded subconsciously. "How long is the duration to finish up the annual report?" I asked to get some indication of my last day.

"I have to ask your senior. She will prepare the timeline. I want to let you know that we were forced to take this step as the company is struggling and we hope that you could understand our situation." My Boss explained further. "Yes, and I expected it already. When you informed us the company is closing the Hong Kong office end of last year, I know that there would be nothing to stop you from doing the same to Kuala Lumpur office, so as the plummeting of the company shares, it is an indication. Moreover, it was in the news the economic storm will be hitting our shore until 2012." I just can’t shut my mouth!

"The shares have been in bottom end of the Bursa for a long time already. But, the 2012 is only a theoretical. Maybe we have brighter days in another 2 months." he is trying to be more optimistic. I’m not quite sure whether he meant what he says. "Anyway, may I know specifically until when is my tenure? Honestly, I have to start looking for new opportunity and I want to brief my future employer about it." I want a confirmation.

"If that’s the case, we will extend your probation until end of May and you may inform your future employer that you will start work in June. I also want to thank you for doing a great job with the writings that you have done for the company." He finally said it. I am not expecting the praise but I really appreciate it.

We ended our conversation with the mutual understanding that my tenure will end in May and I will be receiving a letter noting the notice period that I have to serve. When I walked out from the room and from the corner of my eyes, I saw the HR lady taking a deep breath and she looked at the empty space with troubled eyes.

About 2 weeks after the judgement day and on 28 March, when I was flipping the newspaper, I saw an article citing about companies which are falling from grace and the company that I’m working with is one of them. Apparently, the company has been having profitless years since the inception of its 3^rd plant.

After the judgement day, I was devastated. I was questioning myself why does it happen to me. I recalled the day when I took the job; the company wasn’t an ideal place that I longed for. I was switching industry; from the most hedonism world, to a more tolerable environment. The only advantage is the boss allows me to broaden my ability and enhance my skills and portfolio. I found truth in one of Forrest Gump’s famous quote, “Life was like a box of chocolate, you never know what you’re gonna get”. The box of chocolate that I am holding now has the bitterest chocolate that I have ever tasted with only a tiny, VERY TINY tinge of sweetness inside.

The bitterness has certainly cluttering my mind for number of days. Until a day, when I was joking about the retrenchment with 1 of my colleague, she mentioned that the other day on the radio, the DJ said that instead of whining about the bad situation, we could pull it through by reversing the way we are thinking. So, instead of saying, “I feel so ‘sien’”, we should change it to “It’s a good thing that it is happening.” By being more optimistic, we are not only uplifting our spirit, we are helping ourselves to bracing and riding the economic storm.

It is not easy but I will try hard to survive. If I had done it before, I can do it now. The first thing to do is I have to put the past behind me before I can move on.

Life and Its Many Turns

I received a phone call from Adeline’s mum this morning. I was shocked. No, Adeline is not dead… she might not be the same person that I used to know and now she’s living in solitude, not wanting to have any contact with friends or family. The reason why she hasn’t deleted mine because my husband and I haven’t make the effort to pick up our wedding gift which she couriered to her mum’s place a year ago.

I knew Adeline during my university days; we were classmates. Not many people like her, as she is very opinionated, very petty and arrogant. So, it was understandable if most of my Malaysian classmates were trying their best to avoid her. I didn’t think her as scary as what other people might describe her; they just can’t accept that Adeline is a bit different. I always found her as one of the most helpful and cheerful person, prone to buy branded stuff and love to travel. She stayed with me for couple of months before I left New Zealand for good. We even went to Waiheke Island for sun bathe which unfortunate for me because my skin is not prone to tanning.

I think things started to change when she broke up with her Taiwanese boyfriend of two or three years. She loved him so much that it affects her a little. Adeline is a Buddhist and that event has made her becoming more pious. A year later, she has becoming a vegan. When we last met her, she said she never want to get married and think of the possibility to become a Buddhist nun, which by then, I never thought she really means it.

So when I received that phone call, I went blank.

Adeline’s mum confirmed that she has left for Taiwan to study Buddhism; Adeline has made it clear to her mum during her short stint in June. She deleted all her friends’ contacts so that she can concentrate on her study. The only setback is that she has not contacted her mum since she left and there is no way the mother can contact her as she never leave any numbers or her whereabouts. Her mum is worry about her and it’s heart breaking to see her only daughter treating her like that.

I have nothing against her religion and the path she has chosen but I feel sorry for her mum. She single-handedly raised Adeline and her brother. Her dreams are to have many grandchildren and live happily with all of them. Unfortunately, I could see one of her dreams has shattered.

Say NO to cellulite

Couple of days ago, I was trying to write something related to the festive season and its celebration. However, every time I hit the keyboards - the idea flew out of my 30th floor office window. I have been forcing myself to write about it and even dreamt it at night. Today, after having long weekend, I trashed the idea, as my mind was boggling with something more edgy to me, which is cellulite.

Cellulite is a common among women; it is not new. I have cellulite and it is not cool at all! I used to be skinny when I was in high school; I weighed about 43 kg and my height is about 1.58 m. I started to put on weight during my college years, which I gained 5 kg on my 1st year and it stays moderately until now. Unfortunately, my body weight also easily fluctuate and it is very much depending on the stress and busy level of my work or study.

I started to put on a lot when I was studying in Auckland, one of my best moments in life. I was VERY happy and I love the live and study environment during my stay. I think HAPPY factors were indeed boosting my appetite and add extra (6) kilos to my weight. Things started to change when I came back to Malaysia and started working.

One of my temp jobs when I came back was working as a video editor in a small-sized multimedia company. The job required me to work extremely long hours and most of the time I hardly see the day at all. Normally, I would spend 1 to 2 weeks in my office, sleeping under the table. Not to mention the time needed to travel to work; my mum had to send me to nearest Komuter train station at 6:30 or 7 in the morning, from then I will ride to KL Sentral and take Putra LRT to Ampang Park station, upon reaching the station I will take taxi to Menara RHB in Jalan Tun Razak and then walked to my office in Jalan Inai. I weighed 42 kg; I looked terribly skinny and pale. I thought I’d have better days when I moved to other company, but it didn’t change much.

After traumatic experience with my previous company, I worked for a government-linked agency. The job wasn’t too hectic but the pay was extremely low; I was supposed to be their contract staff but the HR dept. put me under ‘temp’. In order to make ends meet, I had to do freelance job as a voice over (VO) actor for a courseware company. 2 to 3 times a week and after working hours, I will travel from Petaling Jaya to Bandar Tasik Selatan by train and walked approximately 1.5 to 2 km to the courseware company and when I am done with the VO, I had to walked the same length to train station and take train to Subang Jaya station and where my mum will pick me up. Another tiring year and my body suffers. So right after my temps contract ended, I braced up for another job.

The new job I had was very exciting. I love every bit of it. The downside is the company has high staff turnover, thanks to the short-tempered boss. There was one time I had to handle a project all by myself, and due to my extremely hectic schedule I was once hospitalised for acute gastritis. There were also the times that I put on a little when projects were low. When I left the job 3 weeks prior to my wedding, I just realised the height of my exhaustion and it shows on my skin.

During my marriage I ‘realised’ the unsightly cellulite on my thighs and buttocks, even though my hubby is not making a big fuss out of it – his ‘cellulite’ is worse than mine and he has stretch marks as well! – I think I have to do something about it, so that my hubby will find me extremely DESIRABLE and DELICIOUS. So one day, when we were watching ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’ and E! on Janice Dickinson, who underwent cellulite treatment using VelaShape, It strikes me! I want to have that treatment as well. VelaShape is a treatment using non-surgical device to minimise cellulite. Unfortunately, living in Malaysia has it downside, the treatment is not here yet and if it does, it will cost an atomic bomb.

I wasn’t searching for anti-cellulite cream in particular when I was browsed through acmamall.com for beauty products. I just discovered that they not only sell cosmetics, they also have anti-cellulite creams. While I was searching the information and ingredients for one of their featured products, I came across another cellulite related website which had done review for couple anti-cellulite products. And, I am very happy that the one I am planning to buy, Oligo-Dx, ranked number 3 for top 15 cellulite products!

So, watch out cellulite, you will disappear in no time!

Girls, please watch your weight and lifestyle so you'll keep cellulite at bay not your tights or buttom!

The website has list of top 15 anti-cellulite products

Oligo-Dx, ranked number 3 for ant-cellulite products, the one that I am planning to buy. For Malaysian - the item is available through acmamall.com

Ranked 1st for anti-cellulite products. Only available on globalnutritioncenter.com

the place where you can buy range of beauty products online, such as cosmetics range, anti-cellulite products and etc. They offer free shipping for Malaysia and Singapore customers

Changing Mobile Network Provider

Starting from 15 November 2008, Malaysians can say ‘Hoooorray!’. The day is finally here. With minimum MYR25, we can switch to another mobile network provider without having to change our current phone number.

For me, changing phone number when you decided to switch to another mobile network provider (MNP) can prove to be a hassle. I am working in communication industry where I have to be in constant contact with my bosses, colleagues, vendors, designers, suppliers and like-minded friends – Also, my family. What IF, I decided to change my number and forget to inform those people… then I’ll definitely be receiving numerous calls yelling and swearing at me. It is because of thousand of reasons that I can think of that deter me from changing my phone number. However, I am facing a little problem with my current MNP.

My current MNP is a conglomerate, which not only provides mobile network service; they own satellite TV station. Basically, I am the subscriber of both. I have nothing to complaint about their mobile network services before as I was happily using it for years. Unfortunately, things started to change when I got married and move to live with my hubby. The network coverage is SO BAD; if we want to make or receive calls, we have to make sure that we are standing at specific locations so that the coverage will not be interrupted. Those locations could be inside my room, outside our house and rooms upstairs; other than that, the coverage will be breaking up and we can hardly talk. From January to June this year, I have made 3 complaints to inform the situation, but their customer service answers and suggestions are very disappointing, such as:

“Ms. Innocence, can you check with your neighbours, within 400 meters radius, whether they are having the same problem? IF they are experiencing the same problem then you can alert us again.” – of which I did and made 2nd call to their customer service couple of days later.

“Ms. Innocence, is there any building that was built nearby your neighbourhood? We believe it may obstruct the coverage. Oh, you are living at residential area… Could you check is there any other MNP satellite tower nearby which may obstruct the coverage” – I did go and look around my neighbourhood including the shop rows. I was not too sure and few months later (I was busy with jobs then), I made another call.

“We think it is the structure of your house that obstructing the coverage.” – What?! So when I asked them what should I do, they kept repeating the same. I was pissed and said, “So, you are telling me that I have to demolish my house and rebuilt it according to your network coverage then it’ll solve the problem?” *slap forehead*

The last call made to the customer service was my last straw. It is intolerable but I keep on using the service because I don’t want to simply change my number. Patiently, this day is finally here. I am VERY happy. My only problem now, which MNP to choose? *Scratch head*


My friend switch to this MNP, yet to receive his feedback








My hubby wants us to switch to this MNP, they also giving out free blackberry when you swith to their network but as usual - you have to scrutinise their terms and conditions.



My current MNP

finding cheapest airfare?

I love to travel but my only problem is my parents won’t allow me to travel on my own. The only place I’ve been without being accompanied by anyone was when I went for my study in Auckland and another trip to Auckland to meet my then boyfriend - you wouldn’t want to know how I coax my mom into my scam, other than that is a big NO. So, now that I’m married, I still wouldn’t have the chance to travel alone, but I do have chance to dig my hubby’s gold and spend it on our vacation - not much that I can dig but it is worthy and again, you wouldn’t want to know how I convince him.

After we secured our 1st vacation plan, now I am starting to scour places for our next vacation. Yes, we haven’t go for our 1st vacation yet because it is schedule in June 2009. Well, it is no harm in ‘researching’ for places though. And using that well researched materials; I would be able to convince my hubby for the next one even though financially we may not be able to afford it.

I am well aware that money is our big issue; we have to plan carefully and save every dime that we have. It doesn’t matter though as long as I get to go out of our so-called home for couple of days. I am dying to travel, “Hijrah ialah salah satu cara untuk menghilangkan kesedihan”, it’s my way to unwind. Scouring for affordable flight tickets is not easy to come by, but while googling, I stumble across this website that have a feature where you can compare flight ticket with various airlines.

The website is http://www.skyscanner.net/. I remember long time ago I visited the website but then I didn’t think that it has helped me much, but now, I love it!

Anyone wants to travel and cross check with other airlines for cheapest fare? Look no further, you can get it at skyscanner!