Works

It has been a busy week. So for the reason for the lack of posts and visiting your blogs lately.

I have been helping at my dad's shop since Monday. His clerk is retiring soon so I volunteered to help him temporarily till he could find a suitable clerk.

Dad's collection of name cards

The time is flexible; I could go out, run my errands and pick my children. That is one thing about working for family that I like.

Old cabinet

Then came Thursday, I had my kitchen cabinet torn down. The wooden feature underneath has rot due to water over the years so a part of the counter top collapsed. The part where the sink was.

We are going to do a concrete feature. For time being, I would not be able to cook and my kitchen is a mess and dusty. Could not wait for my new cabinet to be ready; should be by next week.

One minute it was like this...

The next hour it was gone

New bones

That's all. A short update from me for now. Catch up with you guys soon, I hope. 

I am still learning

I am perfectionist by nature.  Everything must be right even tiny meeny details.  Sometimes I think my nature is making me into a difficult person to deal with. 

Many days I dreamt about been a stay-at-home-mum with my 2 growing kids.  Attending to their needs, doing house chores and same time making myself a better person.  But the truth is sometimes I ended up been wounded.  Even before I am a real SAHM.  How ironic! 

For the time being, I am something like this lady.  Juggle between work and family.

But few women I know have done it and they are becoming a better mum and wife at home.  They sacrificed their high paid career to stay at home and taking care of the household.  When I was in my early 20s, I told myself that I would not want to stay at home and be like my mum.  I was in my career woman mind back then.  Want to earn big money, go for holidays, buy the things I want to, spend like nobody business and lead the life I want.  But now that I am in her shoes, I grow to understand her feelings and how she has struggled all those years at home with 3 young kids.  She done it perfectly and how her 3 offsprings accomplished in life. 

I would love to learn from my mum.  And so I plod on.  Decided to follow her footsteps.  Although her is the other way round.  A full time homemaker who eventually helping my dad in his business at home.  You can said that my mum is a semi work-at-home mum. 

Once a while I am imagining how my new job description and work scope would be.  A cook.  A cleaner.  A decorator.  A gardener.  A teacher.  Cooking, cleaning, gardening and teaching would be a constant routine. 

I am going to become like this lady, minus the baby as both kids are growing.  Hahah!

Like any other jobs, I know that it is a tough job with long time and I may come down to being depressed and unmotivated.  But I know that it is worth everything and sacrifices.  Because a love from home is what my kids need.  And with love, they can learn better and become better persons.  And I will learn along with my kids.  Every steps we take, we will take it with full hearts and minds. *wink*

Already mid-October?

Gosh, October is already half gone and my last post is 4 days ago.  How time flies!  At the moment, I am super busy with my life that I do not have time to blog. 

Our unpacking of stuff in our house is almost 80% completed.  And I clean and mop almost every day and now it is less dusty.  Compared to the first week when we moved it, I can feel dirt on my sole waking around the house.  And my poor boy developed an allergy to dust but he has recovered since then.  Now my house is more organised and cleaner.  But it takes a lot of hard work.   And time.  And sweat.  Lol!  But I am not complaining.  At the end of the day, I feel satisfy because it is my home.  There is nothing good but to wake up in our own home, feeling happy every day.  Lol!

Early this week I did something that I should have done early.  Have been postponing due to some personal issue but finally I did it!  With hubby's full support, of course. 

If you are guessing what, it is my resignation.  I am tendering my resignation and giving my stokistship a 2 months notice.  You may be aware that I am operating a Cosway free store for more than 2 years now.  It has been ups and downs and good experience to me.  However family is more important to me now.  With those 2 years experience as enterpreneur, I would hope to be able to set up my own business some day.  Small scale and more personal to me. 

What I miss about the current shop? Friends definitely.  Within those years, I have built budding relationship with few customers and they have been very supportive toward me.  I would miss serving and gossiping with them.  Lol!

It is also the right time for me to push a brake to my hectic schedule.  Has been in a rush and my health was also slightly affected.  Have not been feeling well early of the year but I have recupulated slightly this few months.  Along the way I lost a lot of weight and my family is concerned about my physical health.  Not to mention that my diet also not well taken care of.  So either I let go the shop or I lost my health and quality times with my family. 

What I would be doing after this?? For time being, enjoy my life and the pleasure of my home and family first.  I am enjoying my times with my 2 growing children.  And hubby has stable income to support us.  But if good job opportunity comes, I will consider it.

I have no regret in this decision.  :)

Short handed

One of my staff suddenly resigned last Saturday.  Not even any notice and not to say a 24 hours notice.  She just gone like that by giving me an immediate notice via sms.  So now resignation also can go valid by using SMS.  And how responsible she is!

She posted few unpleasant messages in Facebook; craps on unappreciative boss, not friends and she is at wrong.  Well, first thing I did not fire her.  And secondly I did asked her to reconsider her decision (this is not the first time she wants to resign) and thirdly she has been doing many craps behind my back and I always pretending nothing has happened. 

So it is good thing that she resigned herself. 

On a cheerful note, my new house has been cleaned up yesterday.  This weekend we are going to get the bedding and sofa set moving in with the LED TV and home theatre.  So that make up most of the big stuff. 

Been there, done that

After graduated in 1999, I started my first job as Advertising & Promotions Assistant in a property management company. I handled and dealed with events and also rental and sales of retail lots. I been there for almost 9 years before I pursued different field, i.e. banking. But it was a short-lived work for me in banking line as it was totally different and challenging. I worked in banking for 6 months before I had my early semi-retirement for 9 months and have my 2nd baby in 2009.

After delivery, I were back to the work field but this time, I worked in property management company again. Just different scope of work; as a sales administration assistant. Selling and renting shop lots. Again, it was a short tenure; only last for about 4 months.

In 2010, I totally ventured into something different. I become my own manager and operate a shop under stokistship. It is a great experience for me. Like hubby said, I have been in the retail line, banking line, property line and now run a shop. What else I want to do??? It has been a long journey for me. Hope to be a better person this year; may it be an enterpreneur, a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister or a friend! :)

Back to work force

What would you do when your ex-boss called you up and ask you to work for him again? That was the case when I got a call from my previous boss. Funny of him to think of me although I just work for him for about 3 months. I guess my experiences and work quality impressed him as he thinks high of me. Lol!

I told him that I would think about it because I definitely would not leave my business to staff to handle without my supervision. And if I do join him, it would be next year story. See what he has to offer first, but I see how thing goes by end of the year.......

Boss Vs Employee

Since I have been an employee (to 3 bosses) and currently a boss myself, let me share with you my experiences of both. Below are my opinions, they differ from individual, depending on other internal and external forces. *wink*

An Employee:
Working hour: Not flexible. It is fixed for you once you sign that appointment letter
Work scope: You have to do all the "good" and "bad" stuff your boss ask you to do, whether it is stated or not in the appointment letter
Friends: Your "true" friends are "stress" and "pressure" from boss
Stress/pressure level: Ranking from low to medium. Depend on the industry you are in, it can be ranking as pretty high!
Remuneration: Fixed unless you are commission earners
Relax: You can have "Happy Hours" after office hour. Or do the things you like with your colleagues aftr work or during the weekend.
Risk: What risk, other than been laid off.


A Boss:
Working hour: I am my own boss, it means the business is hours. I close shop, I do not earn anything and the costs are still running!! Not so flexible; more than 8 hours per day
Work scope: I fixed my employee's work schedule from sweeping, mopping to stocking. I do what I want to do when.
Friends: Customers are my friends. No harm making more friends with your customers
Stress/pressure level: As in my line, the level is ranked medium.
Remuneration: Not fixed. But definitely higher than what I earned when I was employed.
Relax: You can have "Happy Hours" after closing shop. But by then, you are too tired. Once a while, I sneaked out in afternoon to have some "relaxation" time. Weekend is the same like any other days and it is even busier.
Risk: Out of business, sustainability

Anything I missed out? Anyone care to share?

It is almost ready

I just finished packing some goodies bags for my shop opening. Before that hubby and I went for massages in Hide-A-Bean. I feel pains and aches all over body but I know I will feel great afterward. And a good night sleep too.

I went to check on my shop this evening. It is almost completed and today contractor came to install the cctv, LCD tv and computer system. So early tomorrow morning I would start to clean the shop. The stocks should be arriving in the morning around 9am so I need to wipe the dusts from my display shelves and mop my shop before it arrives. After that I have about a day to ready for the opening on Saturday. Oooh! I am going to be very busy from there onwards. So, good night everyone!

Into the MLM world

MLM is nothing new to most of you. Almost everyone is either directly or indirectly involved or link to any MLM corporation. MLM which is synonymous with direct selling is like a magic itself. MLM is nothing but copycat and duplication of networks.

In my previous company I have joined a famous MLM company. I like its products but never keen on expanding my network and thought of obtaining financial freedom from it. The plan is perfect but it needs hard work. I were not a sales person. My upline kept pushing me, and getting me to attend talks but that time I did not see the potential and urge to push forward. Talking about the marketing plan and doing network was way above my league. I still join this company and used some of its products.

Hubby is another person that I knew involved in few MLM companies. It is not like he wants to, but forced to. Just to "help" a friend, he said. Lol! How many of you telling me that you join direct selling willingly??? Elken, Melelia, are some of the direct selling companies he joined. And every months I could received up to 5 direct selling catalogues for him. Just 6 months ago, he was introduced to another direct selling company. Cosway!

Yes, and that how I am involved into the business. I am back into MLM. Recently Cosway started to spread its wing to opening more retail shops around Malaysia and we are one of the store operators that applying for the retail shop operation. So for the past 6 months I have been busy with the application, interview and training. Some blogger friends were wondering what I am doing currently, so that is what I have been busy about. Getting ready for the shop. It is a long procedure but hopefully everything will be finalised by next month.

So if you do not see me much around the blogging world, you know what I am busy about. Guys, wish me luck okay?

Quit here, Go there

I quit my job after working for about 4 months yesterday. I submitted my resignation last Friday and today is my last day. I am going to enter a new venture in my life. *wink*

I would be flying to KL tomorrow afternoon for my entrepreneur training for 2 weeks. The company called me up for training last week. Since I have missed out the first training, I would not want to postpone it further.

It happens that few of my friends from Kuching will be going there the following week. So I would staying over the weekend with them, and we will plan what to do on Saturday. I would be renting an apartment. I would not be alone as I get to know few people from Sarawak would going there too. All about networking! Hope to catch up and get to know them well over there. *wink*

While I am away, we have sorted out the arrangement for the children. Baby Jay will be put at baby sitter’s house and during the weekend, hubby to bring back the baby. Since my princess is bigger, she can follow her uncle and aunties. I would not worry too much about my girl; she is very independent without me. I am just concerned about hubby looking after Baby Jay over the weekend. Sigh!

Bring back the smile

Yes, after more than 2 months, I finally got my first commission from the company. I have been asking my manager on the commission from rental, and after much coaxing he finally gave it to us today. Plus bonus too....It brings a big smile to me. I need it for my CNY holiday.

Another good news is I received a call from the other company this morning. Remember I told you that I am thinking of open up a shop and be an entrepreneur? Yes! I have passed the interview and they want me to go to KL for 2 weeks training on 22 Feb. However I have to ask them to put off to later date as I would only be back from my CNY vacation on 21st and need to make other arrangements first before committing to them. Everything happens at same time!! Gosh!

And another good friend, Wenn gave me this "Sweet Friends" award. Thank you so much. You make my day. 3 great things happen today. Lol. 10 things that make me happy??



Hubby, my princess, my prince, food, friends, music, blogging, facebook, travelling and money. I would like to pass this award to all who need a smile. Please list down 10 things that make you happy too. *smile* Have a wonderful weekend, everyone.

What is the logic?

It must have been the weather. Damn hot!!! Yesterday I have to sneak out and went home to take a quick nap. Luckily after my nap, I felt better. It has been hot for the past week. Some of my colleagues on sick leave, due to flu or sore throat. I also feel dizzy and weak. Must be the ventilation in the office!!

If possible I try not to go out under the warm sun but been in sales, it is hard. My manager keeps asking us to find customers, so either way, we have no choice but to go out! Sigh!

CNY is 10 days from today. I am so looking forward to the long holiday. But a bit annoyed with my director's announcement on our CNY leave.

How do you feel when you are asked by manager to take leave when the company is closed for CNY? We were asked to take leave (for my case, unpaid leave as I am still under probation) for 2 days (on 12 and 13 February). Well, the company is closed for 2 days and why should we be wasting our leave and get it approved?

Happy working

After been in this company for slightly more than 1 month, I only managed to secure 2 cases for my company. It is not that I have been lazy. Most of my cases are pending and customers are to get back on their confirmation. I did do my follow up calls (but mostly on holiday for past weeks), and usually my customers’ comments would be rental too expensive, lots too small for their business, not enough parking spaces, many small lots, worry no sales and the list goes on. Time is tough but I did not lose hope. I treated it as a challenge. I have been in sales before and previously the target was way higher.

Compared to previous companies, this company is much better in sense it is smaller. Decentralized system, decision-making is faster and no red tape. Colleagues are helpful and no office politics around. Everyone is working in their respective cubicles but we mix around. One thing I like is that less paper works and meetings in this company unlike my previous companies. For me, meetings are waste of times and to be result-orientated, I would much prefer to use the times for meeting to call and meet customers, and close deals

You can say that I enjoy my job. I set my own targets, my own appointments and manage own times. Irregardless of everything, I am still planning to pursue my interest in business. Hubby and I have plan to do new business but that would not turn reality soon. We have not really sit down and discuss in details on our business plan, but we are definitely plan to do something.

Exhausted yet survive

I am exhausted and sick. My family members are sick too!

It has been 3 days since I started my new work. Orientation in the office for first 2 days and I have been contacting and meeting people to rent my shoplots. Some of my old customers even surprised to hear from me again after I went "MIA" for a year. It is great to catch up with some of them.

It is the season again. Not Christmas season, holiday season but the sickness season. Hubby has been complaining of fatigue and sick. So am I. I have not fully recovered from my sore throat. This morning I was shocked to wake up with my voice deserted me, but luckily I regained my voice by mid-day. I guess I will take my mum's advice to see Chinese sinseh for prescription since my family doctor's medication did not cure my sore throat. Or probably I have been taking too much heaty food lately. The cafe below my office serves nice Malay food. But you know Malay food. Oily and fried. Hahaha! Sinful but I am lazy to drive to go other place to eat.

However if I am not lazy, I can actually order take-away and go home, since it is less than 10 minutes drive from my office. Near right? I guess I have enough time to eat, shower and catch my breath in front of tv before punching in for work again. Lol! I actually did that yesterday. Bought Chinese economy rice from nearby coffee shop, ate at home, brought in my laundry, watch CSI:NY and went back to office; all within 1 hour!

I would be working the whole 6 days this week since the company did not observe some of the public holidays. My daughter was suddenly down with high fever last night, and still not yet recover from her fever this morning. Poor girl. She is going back to Kapit this Friday with her grandfather. Hope she recovered by then. I thought I could send her off this Friday morning, but it is a working day for me. Or probably I check with my manager, see I can come in later after sending my girl at the airport. Hubby is not feeling well too. You can say the whole family is down with sickness. The sickness bugs are circulating. Sigh!

Hubby cooked dinner over the weekend. Long time I did not try his cooking so I am not complaining. Lol! You know, he cleaned the whole fridge. What ever he can find in it, he will use and turn them into colourful and tasty dishes. Very home-cooked. I like it.



Mixed vegetables - guess what vegetables in this plate? A bit oily, but taste great.



A bowl of warm soup

Going back to the field

In 1 week time, I would be working in the new company. 6 days a week, 8-5. And it means I have to wear office wear to work. I wonder whether I can still fit into some of my office wear. Probably not much problem with the shirt, but I have yet to trim much on my waist, so I wonder I can fit into those trousers or not. Lol! If not, the worse thing would be shopping for new wardrobe. *wink*

This week would be the last week of schooling. My little gal has been telling me this morning that they are having movie day, watching cartoons the whole morning. She keeps telling me that there would be movie tomorrow, need to close the curtains and switch off the lights. No more class, but activities and movie watching for the remaining week. There will be a sports day this Thursday. Hmm, I wonder my little gal will participate in any games or not. Maybe I will drop by and catch a glimpse of her Sports Day.

Next week she would be following her grandfather to Kapit for a month holiday. And it means I would not be seeing her for about a month. I am going to miss her. The last time I am away from her is last year in September when I was in KL for a 3 weeks training. And I would not be the only one that missing her. When I told her baby sitter that she will be away for a month, her baby sitter said she is going to miss her. Her baby sitter really loves her, treating her like her own child.

I am going to miss her, and will only see her around Christmas time. However I guess with my new work in hand, I probably will be pre-occupied more with the new working environment, people and culture. On other hand, I am concern that I may not be getting used with the job after been lay off for many months. It has been almost 9 months since I stop working. It may takes some times to get used to it again. I know I would eventually get used to it.

Back to letter writing

For fresh graduates, job application letter is definitely the first official letter you would draft after graduated from the university. There is no right or wrong way of drafting a letter, but simplified copy and get to the point faster. It is also important to remember to be courteous and keep to the point.

A couple of days ago, I saw a job advertisement in newspaper and I have decided to apply for one of the jobs stated in it. The job description is what I am familiar with and what I have done in my previous employment. So you can say that I am going back to where I belong to! *wink* When was the last time I ever write a job application letter?? Hmm, if my memory serves me right, it is about 1 year ago when I applied for the previous job before I decided to be a temporary SAHM.

As mentioned before, I lost my files in my previous computer, so I have to retype my resume and draft a new cover letter. Luckily I have most of my certificate and necessary documents photocopied, so I only need to concentrate on my cover letter and resume. If this application is successful (I hope), then the earliest I can start working would be in October. So, fingers cross!

What a Monday!

It is another Monday, the usual Monday blue hit me hard on the face! Maybe because of 2 days of waking up late, so my body alarm clock deserted me this morning! Even little gal did not wake me up at her usual morning time. Since started her school, she seldom woke up at 6.30am. And some more, she is sleeping very late at night, sometime up to 11pm, while her poor mother lying on her bed!! Lol!

Back to my Monday, office routine started as usual with morning meeting with the team. Got “spanking” from manager as the team is failing again for 2nd consecutive week! Not a good start for January. Manager is stressing out to us to push more sales figure, must do this and do that, do not delay, do it now and do it everyday! Bla bla bla. So after the meeting, everyone went back to their own desk and do what the manager said. Calling, follow up on sales and asking for more referrals! Not very easy for this time of the year when everyone is in the mood of holiday. When ever you ask customer for more sales, they will say “wait after Chinese New Year lah”. Okay, meaning I will have to bug them again after that.

After unfruitful morning, I went to withdraw money from bank during lunch break. Oh dear! The queue was so long, that I cannot wait for my turn. Imagine my number was 1235, while the number displayed on board was merely 1187?? So will try my luck again tomorrow. Hubby is on leave tomorrow, maybe get him to get number from me first, then I join him in the bank.

Remembering when I was young, I accompanied my dad to bank to change smaller notes for ang pow at the bank teller. And after CNY, when we have our ang pow, we will rush to the bank to bank in the ang pow monies. Those were the days when I receiving red packets, instead of now me have to give them out to children.

Wanting a quick lunch, I decided to go to the fastest mode i.e. fast food. Craving for fried chicken for many days and my throat is getting better, so I stop by at KFC chain for its ever famous finger licking good meal. Original fried chicken has always been my favourite. But oh boy! Am I disappointed. Maybe times really change everything. Chicken is getting thinner and smaller. The portion is just nice for me, but I do not feel the satisfaction in eating them. How I love visiting KFC when I was a kid and indulge in their fried chicken then. Get what I mean?? Maybe the portion does make a difference here??

Since December, I have a feeling that my money is starting to pour away easily from me. Have been spending so much for Christmas presents and now this month on CNY ang pow. Oh dear, got to start to tighten my budget from next month onward. Thinking of little gal’s school fees which is payable early March make me having headache. Luckily hubby having his bonuses out end of this month. Otherwise I think I will start to eat more instant noodles at home every night. *wink* Even instant noodles are not that cheap anymore. Nothing is cheap now. Alright, enough complaining from me. All those work and money, giving me more headache. Sigh!

He shall be forgiven

Christmas is tomorrow and I guess most people is taking leave today. I am one of them. It was a relieve to be off on a mid-week, away from the stress of work. Not only the paper works that take much tolls, but some colleagues are sure nasty that they can spoil your mood too.

There is a colleague in my company, everyone called him “Giant”. Because he is big and tall, more than 6ft. He is towering among the colleagues.

It is not the height and size I would like to share today, but his attitude. He is one of the rudest man I have ever set my eyes upon. Always with sour face, he is rude to all the colleagues, especially the sales team. I am the newest among the sales team, so most of the times, I would be his “target”. A bit of mistake, he will point it out in such sarcastic remark, that will send your blood boiling. But nevertheless, I have to thank this giant too. If not him, I would not learn the mistake and be more careful next time.

Colleagues have been warning me about him and even complained to manager, but nothing change. They have get used to his sarcastic remarks and attitude. Why he cannot be more polite since we are under the same company and everyone is working together? Never reciprocate back when you smile or greet him. Each time I go to the washroom, I would need to pass his table. So I have to treat like he is invisible and walk faster passing his table. Now. Now. Wonder who is rude here?? *wink*

All I wish is that he could be nicer and friendly. He must have some hard time in life, that he behaving such way?? Either way, pray that he could be different!!

There is always a baddie in a company. Someone that make trouble for other, someone bully the other or someone that loves to backstab other colleagues. I guess we cant live without them, right??

Alright, better not gossiping about other behind his back. It is not a good deed in this time of the year. Everyone should forget and forgive. Let’s have a wonderful Christmas Day and Peace and Love to the World!! Merry Christmas to my family and all dearest friends!!

glitter-graphics.com

Another week

I was busy preparing reports in the office, hardly have time to take a deep breath. The next minute, boss is calling me to her office, asking me about my weekly performance. I was speechless as wonder how to tell her that I am going to fail this week!

And the next minute I know, I woke up from my bad dream. Oh dear. I am dreaming. And worst, I am dreaming I were at work, pushing hard for my target. Last week was the start of my weekly target and I have to say I just manage to pass. Not with flying colours, but just pass. I am dreading to go to work this morning, because I knew I have failed this week. And not only me, my other colleagues too. Economic is really hitting hard on us. And everyone complaining of lack of sales and customers are reluctant to take money out from their pocket to invest with us. Oh dear, wonder how all of us are going to go through this week…………… sigh!!

I have been in the new company for 2 months. Everything is different compared to previous company, the system, procedures and office rules etc. Everything is not the same. Just a short 2 months, but I have been through so many e-learning, meetings and product training.

On the bright side, November is here again and without you knowing it, Christmas and New Year are around the corner. Yes! It means it is festive and shopping time. Some shops already in Christmas mood with some Christmas tree and decorations put up. Wow! Time really is passing away fast.

I don't know what to name this post

When was the last time I posted something here? 5 days ago. Sorry for been absent for sometime as I cannot think of anything interesting or brilliant to write and post on. My brain is empty most of the time. You can say, tired is a more suitable word. From the look of my post title above, you can guess how blur I am sitting in front of pc typing this post. But I still want to write something here. LOL!

My manager has been swamping me with questions and expectation of targets almost every day till I know how to imitate her exact words each time I go into her room. My sales target starting next week, so she was concern about my performance. Coupled with poor sales (I did not get enough sales in last week which accumulate to following week) so she keeps asking me to cross sales over the phone.

Yeah, I got to call people (strangers mostly) introducing them our products and services. There were hundred and one products (it is just to show that I have to sell many things to people at one time), it takes time to talk to people about them over a phone call. And I hate talking to strangers over the phone when I don’t know them well. It is more comfortable to meet people face to face, knowing their body language and face expressions, which tell you whether they enjoy the conversation or interested in what we are saying. Not so much to guess if you are talking over the phone right? So I guess tele-marketing is not my strong field here.

For the past 3 weeks I have my own clientele, building from walk-in customers. Some even becomes my friends, everyday calling me up asking for updates. It is an enjoyable work especially at the end of the day, I am able to help them and offer my assistance. There isn’t one thing I hate about my work, just that it involves a lot meetings. Gosh! I thought my previous company has many meetings and appointments every week, this company has even more. Out of 5 days a week, I have meetings for 3 days. Long and lengthy one that start off my days at work. *laugh*

Enough work for now. I do not want to think about my next week “failure” for now. For time being, I am going to enjoy that it is a Friday night, and tomorrow and Sunday is going to be a relaxing day! Yes, Rose and family is going away to the beach tomorrow afternoon. Till then, catch up with you guys when we are back.