Gadgets, Cars, Food
When you work in a company with only 10% females, every conversation would entail at least one of these topics: work (technical stuff), gadgets (phones, mp3 players, DVD players, TV, computers, cameras), cars (F1, sponsors, who drives what? latest models) and food. And unfortunately, non of these interest me at all. Maybe food, good food is something I can appreciate. The car talk is good for now since I am thinking of getting a car. I guess additional knowledge does not hurt, although sometimes it can be too boring.
It is getting better..
Despite the slow machine, office opportunities are getting better. A couple of trainings lined up for the next couple of months- that's a good sign. I got a brief preview of VS Studio 2005 last friday. It is impressive.
The guy that sits in front of me is crazy about food. We would take 2 hours to go for lunches in some unknown little town to eat pig's bbqed ears, intestine, stuffed skin and meatball. Since my 2 weeks with the company, I have eaten food that I have not tasted in my whole life.
A good number of colleagues dive, I can't wait until I can swim, then learn diving and go diving :).
I went to work..
After 6 months of working from home, flexi hours, total freedom.. I went to work this week. I can't complain but I think I need some time to adjust to the restrictions and feeling like one ant of the millions ants driving to work. My frist 2 days, I received some technical specs to read, attended trainings and checked out on all the scheduled fun activities. The office has a gym (very well equiped), punching bags, dance floor, 3 pool tables, 2 fusball table, 2 table tennis table, yoga classes, salsa classes plus all sorts of activies arranged for after work (carting, tennis, badminton, bowling..etc.) over 1.2K employees with an average age of 31 years and excellent benefits. I wish I was more motivated but getting up every morning to go to work is suffocating. I do not know how long I will stay in this corporate world but this job will pay my bills for now while I keep working free lance on the side to build up my profile of clients.
I wish to be in Austin for the party.
Deprived of good food...
The braces does not only make me look bad, it doesn't let me eat. Every little piece of food makes itself into the holes for when I try to smile after a delicious meal, it looks like a grew a garlic in my mouth. (lots of garlic pieces in chinese food). Still can't chew on any red meat or eat an apple. 2 years more of this, I hope it gets better.
Yesterday's swimming class was tiring. All my coursemates are below 12. They kick faster than I do, they float (which I still don't), they can do at least 3 laps .. I am struggling to finish half. 1st out of 13 classes and I am one step closer to dive.
China- Tibet- Nepal- India..
My sister suggested that we should think about backpacking in China in this beautiful place called Jiuzhaigou (nine-village gully) next year. While in the pool earlier.... I thought it could be possible to backpack through Jiuzhaigou (Northern Sichuan-China)- Lhasa (Tibet)- Kathmandu (Nepal) - Delhi (India) - Home (Malaysia). Just the thought of it makes me smile. Although, I don't know if this route is possible... any advise nomads?
Sabah (East Malaysia)
Got back from Kota Kinabalu (East Malaysia/ Borneo) a couple of days ago. My legs have stopped aching, my muscles still firm, heart desiring to be back on the beach. We (8 of us) stayed 6 days in KK - started the first 2 days climbing 2500 meters to reach 4000+ meters Loew's Peak at 6.00 a.m. It was extremely windy and cold. I have never felt more accomplished. Descended the climb, by the time we reached the foothill my legs could barely support the other parts of me. Nvrm that, we then went water rafting the next day. It was a grade 3-4 raft (max being 5) and yes, was thrown into the water and experienced - "rapid swimming" (rapids carrying you through the current, no swmming required). Must have been one of the scariest experience ever. Sky diving does not beat this!
Mount Kinabalu (4000+ meters above sea level)
Water rafting in Padas (down this river)
The rest of the trip was more calm, stayed in a really nice resort in Manukan Island and went snorkeling. The beach is abit small and the corals aren't that many but it was just as wonderful to hear the strong winds blowing on the coconut trees and waves splashing.
Snorkeling in Manukan Island:
Train ride to Beaufort:
