又痛又贵的教训

在机场因为没有申请到Qatar Exit Permit 所以我不被获准出境。接着只好等领已经checked-in 的行李。这个过程耗时4小时，还一直担心隔天没有机位。结果是真的没有机位，迫切想回家，只好买了另一家公司的机位。

我是个生活白痴。所以这个教训，来的是时候。我要检讨自己，要改善自己的生活态度，不要以为工作好，吃好，睡好就行，要时常充实自己，安排下一步。

也深切感受到，人在异乡，一定要把自己照顾得好好，要健康，要快乐，要积极。而且平日要和同事打好关系，事情发生时，根本不知道要联络谁，心里是多么的彷徨无助。想流泪但也没用，我不认识人，人不认识我，谁会帮助我，同情我。只能自己靠自己，不能跌倒，跌倒要自己舔伤。

拖着疲惫的身心从机场回到酒店，我睡不着，总想着这事。浪费了多少时间，金钱。想到平日我这么省钱，到头来上天还是有办法让我钱包出血。我真的是要多做善事，这是上天给我的警惕。也体会到，能用钱解决的问题不是问题。当我这么绝望时，能用金钱解决的话，何乐而不为。只可惜，有些事情不是用钱就能解决，比如这次的exit permit 和班机 ,是时间和我的搏斗。

我也学会，人要学会原谅自己。我已经受到了精神，时间，和金钱的惩罚，我希望自己可以放过自己，不再满脑子地想这些错误，反反复复的鞭打自己。这需要勇气，我要让自己学习，成长，不再犯同样错误 。我要睡得安稳 ，但我会把这教训铭记于心 。

Dubai trip

Another 2-day trip to Dubai. We went for desert safari, a boat ride at the Dubai creek, went up to Dubai Burj Khalifa and lastly the Atlantis Water Park, which was located at Palm Island.

Too many photos to be uploaded, I guess I will take some time to upload them in Facebook or Picassa photos album. These are just some snapshots.

The Burj Khalifa and I. Didn't manage to capture the tip of the tower.

The Dubai Fountain in front of the Dubai Mall.

Jumeirah Madinat hotel. Along the river bank are the restaurants and hotel rooms.

An underwater world in the Dubai mall. Pay 825 diarhams (about RM825) and you can do 1-hr diving inside the tank.

Dune bashing by the 4WD.

Some Arabic performance and belly dances.

Marking on skin using some type of plant.

Doha's Family Day

我还在想我要如何写呢。忽然发现其实可以把我周遭的事情一一笔录。

在多哈的星期五是假期，也是Family Day。许多广场都有设定时间，通常是早上八点到晚上八点。这个时候只有携带女眷才能入内，所以好几次我与男同事去广场时，在入口都紧紧跟着我，好像一家人那样，不然警卫是不允许进入呢。其实经我观察，警卫也是看人肤色的，如果是阿拉伯人，即使单身也能入内。如果是印度人，印尼人，菲律宾人，就是样貌和穿着比较像外劳的，他们一律不能进去，这好像是光明正大的歧视吧！

我想，阿拉伯人的独占欲都很强，所以不愿意让外人来打扰自己的家庭日，尤其不能让自已亲亲老婆的美貌让外人窥见，所以不但要老婆遮住美貌，还要来个Family Day。虽然说看了赏心悦目的美人儿的确让人心情愉悦，但真的会挖掉你的眼珠子，不是开玩笑的哦。

不过呢，我的一个阿拉伯同事就说，他们爱美色，这头巾面纱有效防止自己看到别的阿拉伯女子面容，杜绝在婚后爱上其他女子，所以更能维系婚姻。这是不是歪论呢？其实阿拉伯人的离婚率不低呢。

写到这里，下次再写阿拉伯人提亲和结婚的方式，我有好多在多哈的照片要上载呢。

无聊的日子

在这里的日子真的是一日复一日啊，有时真的分不清是何年何日，好像一直就这样下去，分不清昨日和今日有何分别？放眼望去，天海一线，有点不知身在何处的感觉。

我不知道一个人的人生是可以这样无聊的，每天的例行公事就是起床，工作，吃饭和睡觉。如果我的未来三年是这样度过，我可以保证我很快会对这个世界失去热情。

今天又有一个人说我天真，还是个孩子 “you’re still a child”. 那是个持有化学博士文凭的mud engineer，说即使他有那博士文凭在国内也找不到化学有关的工作，所以只好到oil rig工作咯。

我想，在这oil rig工作的人，大部分都是因为那优厚的薪资才愿意呆在这里。

在此奉劝大家，要三思而后行啊，可千万别入错行。

我的天啊，让我睡觉吧！

如果人好像机器那样，有switch on/off button 就好了。累了可以按下off button, 然后倒头呼呼大睡。需要清醒时on 就能即刻投入工作。

在大学最后一年，不知为了什么因素，竟然长达三个月不得好眠。每晚躺在床上翻来覆去，一直到接近天亮才能入眠，接着闹钟一响，就去上课，频频打呵欠，脾气极差。

在沙巴工作的那阵子，曾经试过几个星期连续无法入眠，那次是有原因的。在闲谈时，有个在offshore platform工作的同事说了好多鬼故事，尤其是在offshore platform 的灵异事件，令人听了毛骨悚然。还问我，是否曾经试过鬼压床，说如果俯睡，就很大机会被鬼压床，在之前还会听到嗡嗡声。我的妈呀，我是在小学四年级时有这经历，全身无法动弹，拼命喊也不能发出声音，就一直听到“笃笃，笃笃”的声音。即使后来我知道鬼压床其实是神经系统突然不能控制身体部分神经，现在想起来还觉得可怖。所以，那同事聊起鬼压床的当晚，我就开始连续睡不着了。

12am-12pm, 6pm-6am, 或是6am-6pm。等会儿我要10pm 醒来，所以应该在之前休息才有充足精神应付接着的工作，无奈的是，我根本睡不着！我一直催眠自己，要睡觉…….要睡觉……..都不能。我的天啊，让我睡觉吧！


p/s: I have to go back to work with panda eyes :(

Which road shall I take?

This is my favorite poem:

The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I marked the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

I always think that life is made up from a series of small choices. When we were young, choices were made for us. As we grew and matured we learned to make our own choices. Many times I wandered at my life junction and had to make a difficult choice to move on. Sometimes I wonder if the choice I made is the right one, would I be regret at a point of my life? Is there really no turning back? Today I was particularly confused. I don't know what I like, and what I want ultimately in my life.

Also, I'm impressed that the choice one make could affect the others. Imagine if the interview panel didn't choose me, I would not enter UTP. If that time I were to study courses other than Civil Engineering, how my life would be? Imagine if my ex-manager didn't choose me, I won't be employed as PETRONAS employee. And today, I won't be at my current position. See, many choices that others made actually have shaped my life. So I always remind myself, the decision and choice I make might affect others as well, either in a small or large scale, I shall ponder thoroughly.

Bridges and infrastructure were once my favorites and choices.

I like to imagine the sense of satisfaction if I were able to design a skyscraper.

And today I end up in oil and gas industry.

Where will I be a few years from now? Which road will I take......hopefully it's a road with joy, happiness, and significance.

Almost the Same

Now only i realize that actually every big company is almost the same. They have values, ethics, policies, standards, manuals, guidelines for the employees to follow. Don't ever misunderstood that I'm using synonyms. Those are different things to be remembered by heart (if I have the mood). And also, there are HR, HSE, IT, Supply Chain Management, Finance department in the company as well. Their functions are basically the same. And I think the people are similar also. I don't know how to put it in words, but suddenly this morning I felt like I'm just in another big deep hole.

well, today i started to set up my laptop at the IT department, and then went to see my segment Field Training Champion. After the orientation (i.e. base tour, colleagues introduction, HSE review) then I just went to the dedicated room for engineers, booted my laptop and did some reading.

I reckon nowadays employers want the employees to do self-learning. Everywhere is the same. You are on your own (=ALONE). Your progress of learning and absorption of knowledge are in your hands. Everywhere is the same.

Anyway, I just found out that I could only be home by end June. What a heavy price to pay!

My collection #2

The key chains I have collected --- they are either gifts from my friends and family members, souvenirs of the events and from clubs and societies.

Erm...the 6th "key chain" is actually a pen drive hehe

Mostly are souvenirs from my friends when they traveled to other countries e.g. Germany, Sudan, Korea, China, Taiwan and Indonesia.

Mostly I got during my university life.

There are two with my name carved on them.

不孝有三，无后为大？？！！

我时常在电视节目听到“不孝有三，无后为大”时，就纳闷到底其他的两个不孝是什么呢？今天搜网才大约了解，好像有两个版本，不知哪个是真正的注解。

第一版本

不孝有三为:

阿意曲从，陷亲不义，一不孝也；
家贫亲老，不为禄仕，二不孝也；
不娶无子，绝先祖祀，三不孝也。
三者之中无后为大。"


解释：

一味顺从，见父母有过错而不劝说，使他们陷入不义之中，这是
第一种不孝。

家境贫穷，父母年老，自己却不去当官吃俸禄来供养父母，使其
三餐无法温饱、生病无钱看医，或者无功名，不能考秀才进士求
得一官半职，为家扬名吐气，是为二不孝。
为人子，若不娶媳妇，传宗接代，沿袭家火，过年过节，无后代为
祖先扫墓、祭拜，是为三不孝。

第二版本
在原始宗法制时代孝有三个层面:
一，生,事之以礼;
二，死,葬之以礼;
三，在死后的漫长岁月,子子孙孙祭之以礼。

所以得出结论,
“不孝有三"应该是:
生不敬顺,一不孝也;
死不礼葬,二不孝也;
无后绝祀,三不孝也! 

其实两个版本的意思相去无几，主要是奉劝世人要感恩与孝顺父母，并在父母年老时让父母安享晚年。而这“无后为大”或许是上一世纪的思想了，今时今日传宗接代已不是婚姻的首要任务，已有许多夫妻比较喜欢两人世界，或都以饲养宠物来增加生活情趣，是否能取代孩子我不清楚，但至少比较没有负担吧？！不过，孩子们天真烂漫的模样真的是太可爱了！这是宠物无法取代的吧。

我的表弟，可爱又活泼吧，哈哈

A stay in the Everland Hotel?

A postcard from the official website of Everland Hotel.

Everland Hotel is a hotel with only one room including a bathroom, a king-size bed and a lounge. It has been transported to Yverdon, Burgdorf, Paris etc.

The hotel could be book for one night only. It was also possible to visit it during the day. Visitors could take a peek at the Hotel during the opening hours of the "museum", after closing hours at 18.00 it was reserved for the guests. That means if you book the hotel, you would be one of the exhibits for the public if you stay in the hotel! So I guessed normally the guests would only be back/ check in after 18.00 hours??

Anyway, after Paris tour, Hotel Everland travelled back to Switzerland and is not run as Hotel since. Now we could only appreciate this modern and innovative art on photographs.

My collection #1

Behold ... my collection of sea shells from the sea shore ... ;P

Farewell

My farewell note....

I’ll be leaving SBO this week. The journey of six months, though a short period, has been a very inspiriting and fruitful one.

SBO has been a fertile ground which taught me a lot of things and sharpened me intellectually. I’m indebted to this company and each of you with whom I interacted at various times. Special thanks to SD, SME, SME-1 and the SME-1 team.

A heartfelt gratitude for your guidance, kindness, support, and friendship. Working with all of you will remain one of the memorable phases of my life.

I will be going back to KL by this week. I do hope we could keep in touch in the future. My email address is natasya.jiaweyn@gmail.com. My personal contact no. is 012-xxxxxxx

I wish you and the company all the best in future ~

Bora Bora Island

I haven't uploaded anything since few weeks back. Upon somebody's request, I'm going to introduce to you all:

Dang! dang! dang! Bora Bora Island!!!




See the pictures? Her beauty is indescribable. So mesmerizing, picturesque and serene. Hopefully one day I could pay a visit and stay at one of the chalet and I will be touched to tears of happiness!!!

KK visit #1: KK bird sanctuary

In view of Kee Foo's effort to lure all of you to KK, I have decided to contribute to this mission too. Last Wednesday I visited the Kota Kinabalu City Bird Sanctuary with my friend, Yuen. This bird sanctuary is located in the heart of KK City, near Likas. It is actually a mangrove forest around 24 hectare. We read from the website that this sanctuary is a home to many kind of waterbirds like Kingfishers, Doves, Starlings, Lora's and Pigeons. However we couldn't see any during our trip there!

I was standing on a 30m height observatory tower.

A very picturesque view. The trees grow along the river bank.

We could see the mangrove canopy better from the observatory tower.

There is a 1.5km boardwalk to bring us deep into the mangrove forest.

Very serene and windy though a bit warm.

About me

A friend would like to know more about me therefore put a list like this for me to answer:

1. I like to….

2. I don’t like to …..

3. I’m scared of …..

4. I find it ….

5. I believe that …..

6. I think that …..

7. I have always wanted to …..

8. …. are important for me.

9. I am happy when …..

10. Sometimes I live life like …..

My answer:

1. I like to eat all kind of fruits and vegetables.

2. I don't like to waste my time worrying over something that's not going to happen.

3. I’m scared of chickens and ducks.

4. I find it funny when people get agitated when driving on the road.

5. I believe that 40% work smart plus 60% work hard contribute to success.

6. I think people look nicer when they wear a smiling face and have a gentle heart.

7. I have always wanted to dye my hair violet and red.

8. Career satisfaction and financial freedom are important for me.

9. I am happy when my family and friends care for me.

10. Sometimes I live life like I’m going to die tomorrow.

A very delicious and affordable Fish Bihun at Lintas, KK.

Recaps

Alas! I am finally back to the main land~

Some flash back....

My previous experience on Sapura3000 was too wonderful that I was hoping this trip would be a comfortable one. Ok, it’s actually quite comfortable, especially when I stayed in this OS room with an attached bathroom. Before that I was in this double room which I had to share the cannot-be-locked bathroom with the other room. Luckily I moved in to the single room huh.

It was so weird that how men and women were so different. I talked to a few Turkmens when I was having my dinner that day. They asked me how I have felt since I have been alone with all the men around me. I tried to answer politely that I have not felt even a bit uneasy though reality is the opposite. Then a Turkmen said, “if I were to be surrounded by all women, I will be so happy”. I supposed that is true and applicable for almost all the men.

Life at offshore operation was a bit routine and repeating. Operation crews are monitoring the process, instrument, equipment and facilities all the time. The construction crews are performing the structural/ painting work. Everything is very habitual. And seeing the crews working so hard to earn a living, I thought that human are just great and persistent. They could even survive this harsh and risky environment under the burning sun. A supervisor and a fitter in their fifties with white hair are still laboring to support themselves and their family. I guessed life will never fail people who try so hard. Salute~

This trip was a fruitful and meaningful one. It makes me think deeper and harder if I'm suitable to be an offshore field engineer,and if I have the courage and brilliance to survive the demanding offshore life.

p/s: going to upload the photos soon.

Blah blah blah`````

I saw my primary school graduation photo on Facebook. Apparently an ex-classmate uploaded our graduation class photo onto Facebook. A very touching move! Salute~ I just knew that there'll be a gathering at KL on 17 October, sadly I couldn't attend. I have missed a few gatherings before this when I was studying at UTP and now being faraway from KL, guessed there's no fate for me to meet my ex-school mates.

Next Tuesday I will be going offshore to one of the Sabah platforms. I have just finished packing. My mind was definitely firmed and determined on carrying out on my initial offshore plan but frankly speaking, I’m anxious and uneasy this time around. Last trip I went with another female colleague but this time around I will be alone there. Imagine onboard with all other men....a bit daunting. I put my almighty focus on the good things and telling my heart not to worry. Apparently, I still need more effort.

I came across this saying last week, "We are at our very best, and we are happiest, when we are fully engaged in work we enjoy on the journey towards the goal we have established for ourselves. It gives meaning to our time off and comfort to our sleep. It makes everything else in life so wonderful, so worthwhile." It was quoted from EARL NIGHTINGALE, a well-known motivational speaker.

This has stirred my thoughts. Principally if I do my best everyday then in the end of the day, I sleep soundly with a sense of satisfaction and fulfilment. Unfortunately, I have done nothing much today. I’m feeling a bit empty yet I have to sleep anyway.

p/s: Downloading FMA-Brotherhood, at least I watched a few anime episodes today ^-^

太阳，月亮，星星

朋友曾说我以前像太阳，现在像月亮。我想说，不急不急，我迟点儿就要像星星，再一些日子就要像陨石了。

大家总是喜欢用太阳月亮星星来比喻一个人的性格，发光体就是太阳，温和体就是月亮， 星星是借由太阳光才能发亮，，陨石就甭说了，是颗坠落的星星。

世上的事物每天在改变，这是一个亘古不变的道理，那人的性格呢？我自觉自己真的改变了许多，只是似乎不是往好的方向前进哦。

一直都明白有很多事情不是在自己的控制范围内，所以尽量配合种种因素。今天才发现，人真的是能伸能屈的，既然不能改变周遭的环境，就只好改变自己了。究竟为了环境而改变了的自己还是自己吗？

就让我多愁善感一天吧，明天我会打起精神，尽量拖延自己变 星星的过程。

p/s: 星星是发光体，只是平时太阳光太亮了，所以看不到星星。对不起，常识不足，汗颜。

Prayers

Two main catastrophic events occurred in these past two months:

In August, Typhoon Morakot wrought catastrophic damage in Taiwan, causing 461 people dead and 192 others missing. This extreme weather triggered enormous mudslides and severe flooding throughout southern Taiwan. One mudslide buried the entire town of Xiaolin, killing an estimated 500 people in the village alone. Nearly 2,000 homes were destroyed in the country and 136,000 more were reported to have sustained damage. The storm also caused severe flooding in the northern Philippines that killed 26 people.

Another disaster was the powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake that hit Inodnesia West Java on last Thursday, killed over 60 people, injured 400 others and destroyed 87,000 homes. A group of 30 volunteers comprising Malaysian medical students from several universities have been deployed to Indonesia to provide assistance to victims.

My modest observation (maybe a wrong one) is that Malaysia sent assist team to Indonesia but not to Taiwan and Philippines. This has triggered some thoughts. Is it because Indonesia is nearer to Malaysia than Taiwan and Philippines? Whenever disasters occurred in non-Muslim countries only several local newspapers will raise fund to help the victims. Erm.... I don’t mean to be offensive. Let us donate some money and pray for the victims of these events and lastly, be grateful of what we have today.

慈济家访

今天第一次在KK参加慈济的活动--家访。


每一年这里的慈济都会分发助学金给贫困的学生。首先，KK每间学校会把二十位学生的个人资料和家庭情况告知慈济，再由慈济志工去拜访每个家庭，再来鉴定是否能通过批准。


我们今天只是成功拜访了两个家庭，其余的不在家，或无法联络上，只好作罢。


走进第一个学生的家，那是非常简陋的木板屋，地主向他们拿每月RM109的“屋租”，可是屋子是他们自己搭建的，而且地主征收的水电费竟然比原本的贵了一倍。听到这儿，真的想去找地主理论！学生的爸爸月入只有RM800，时常向老板预支薪水，所以到月杪薪水就寥寥无几了。一家八口，六个孩子们都正在求学，没其他收入。其实RM800也似乎养不活我自己一人，都不知那微薄的薪水，如何养活他们！


第二个学生的父亲是个警察，1995年入警队，可不知为何，到了14年后的今天，他的薪水还不到两千。他们住的是陈旧的警察宿舍，八个人住一间小小的屋子，六个孩子们也正在求学。而且，他还需要照顾双亲已离世的侄儿。


我在很小的时候也曾住过这样的警察宿舍，蓝色的，旧旧的，墙壁发出一种怪怪的味道,幸好后来搬家了。想来我搬家的次数不下五次，如果真要旧地重游，不只那屋子是否还在。


言归正传，当我看到那位警察先生的生活状况，再对照一个普通白领的生活，我就明白为何没人愿意当警察了。我们时常抱怨警察贪污，不忠守本分，可想一想，他们也是普通人，拿一份微薄的薪水，还要被人们斥骂，真辛苦。


这两个家庭的共同点，就是孩子多。真不知他们是希望能籍由孩子来改变未来家庭情况，还是他们没有认真实行家庭生育计划，导致孩子一个跟着一个出生，增加开销。反观城市里的人，孩子却越生越少，务必要做到“重质不重量”。到底当一个家庭无法负担孩子的教育费时，夫妻是否应掂一掂自己的斤两然后节育？还是该顺从天意和“需要”？我看着他们和孩子们的脸孔，知道他们迫切想要得到这笔助学金。孩子心里会感到无奈和悲怨吗？父母会愧疚和心痛吗？还记得中国就发生父亲因无法供孩子的大学费用而愧疚自杀，贫穷逼得人走上绝路吗？


我想，我未必能把最好的给我的孩子，但如果我不能让孩子安心求学，我也会内疚吧！真希望这少少的助学金能减轻一点负担，让这些父母和孩子松一口气。


今天的我特别感谢父母和社会能让我无忧无虑地完成学业，感恩。


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It was my first time to participate in Tzu Chi activities at Kota Kinabalu - home visits.

Every year KK Tzu Chi grants a nominal amount of compensation to the poor students. First of all, each school will hand in the personal data of 20 chosen students and then the Tzu Chi volunteers will visit every family to identify the qualified students. Today, we have succeeded only in visiting two families. The others were either not at home or could not be contacted.

The family of the first student, Helena lives in a very shabby wooden house. They have to pay RM109 per month to rent the land without a house. They built the house themselves. Moreover, the charges of utilities are double than the original priced. That ruthless landlord! Helena’s father earns an income of RM800 and from time to time he makes an advance of salary from his boss. So in the end of the month there are only a few pennies left. This is a family of eight with six children attending school, there’s no other income! While RM800 doesn’t seem to keep me living I do not know how that meager salary could feed them well! The second student's father was a policeman. He joined police force in 1995 but I don’t know why, until today, his salary is less than RM2000. They lived in an old police quarter with eight people live under one roof. He also has seven children, including a nephew to feed.

Frankly speaking, this could be the sole reason people rarely want to be a policeman. We often complain about police corruption, their irresponsibility and unreliability but wait; you may want to think twice when you see them getting a scanty salary but still being told off so hard by the public.

What I observed from these two families is they have many children. Somehow I wonder why they didn’t seriously carry out family planning, resulting in a “overcrowded” family. In contrary, the urban people “strongly” believe in “quality” and not “quantity". I still remember whenever I tell my friends I have four siblings they will be left in “admiration”.

Back to the topic. When a family cannot afford their children's education and healthy lifestyle, shall the couple weigh these things and do some “birth control”? Or shall they obey to God’s Will and give in to their "need"? I watched the children's faces and know they desperately want to get this grant. Do they feel helpless and sad? Do the parents feel guilty? Or am I thinking too much? I still remembered there was news on the suicide of a China father because he couldn’t afford his child's costly university fees. I think I may not be able to provide my children the best of everything but if my children don’t feel at ease to study, I will definitely feel guilty. I really hope that this bit of grants can reduce the family burden.

Today I am grateful to my parents and the community for I could complete my studies worries-free.