Cleaning Mindset

Just have a thought came across recently... Do I satisfy what I'm having now? Is there any changes I want to make? How about moving one step further, will it be as hard as I presumed?

As per what I told people recently as well as written & announced in previous blog, I plan to do my Master Degree. I do mean it.

After a long long searching, and even taking myself a break to put this thing down in order to let myself calm down before making any decision, I 'see' some difficulties.

Yea, I plan to take up the MBA course...even it maybe not helping much in the real life, but at least I have the exposure to the business management and theories.

First of all, there are two options for me, Segi Uni College and UTAR. UTAR would be my second choice even the fees a lot cheaper than Segi. The reason I hold on it is because I graduated my Degree there, and hope to look for new study environment. And yet, during the searching process, some people comment that its intake criteria or requirement is lower, where without working experience can do.

Segi's MBA (University of Southern Queenland), allows 16 months of minumum graduation period for fulltime study...that I think is good for me where I would like to mimimise the 'unemploy' period.

However, due to its stated requirement, I need to take some extra steps to step into the door. So far, I have not taken the TOEFL test that it is a MUST for the course. (I need to ask around to take the exam, before applying the course....and it need as least 6.5.....*sigh*~)

Then, in the application form, it also ask for the financial support that allows applicant to afford & finish the whole course fees...(study fulltime mean no income, then how to prove leh??? Just inform them I'm a billionnaire, it should be ok then??? Hahaha~)

Some more, it is going to have an interview session to 'filter' the qualify students....another challenge again~ Yet, the application fee cost RM300!!! (Waoh...maybe it is a good time for me to re-think for re-choose the course??!!)

But, it should have a 'better' future and study environment....or else how dare they charge you so expensive and 'filter' people some more???

....last, if there is anything, my backward step is going back to UTAR lor...it should be easy and cheaper...

Another birthday's wish

Happy or sad, time keep running.

Working days or holiday, life still goes on.

Birthday for me, nothing special, a date printed in the calender every year. What so special? Celebrate the birth? Or to celebrate that you are one more step nearer to the grave?

No matter what happened, everything still in the loop itself and keep on going....except the time where your clock is broken or out of battery.

Every year, we make the wish. But, what for? For me, a wish means a hope. A hope means a thought. A thought means the things no yet been done. Or, it is another uncomplete task to you when the next birthday arrive.

Even so, I do set myself a mind that keep on practising what I have learnt & knew, and apply on my daily activities. Learning process is easy when we keep in playful minded. For the next birthday, hope to flashback what I have done this year and be cheerful about it.

New adventure~

Quite some time didn't write english story already. About 4 months since the last post on May. Just really not sure whether my english level getting worse, or still able to maintain in the same level. Bet typing or chatting in msn and facebook be counted as a proper way of presenting english...

After the long long break, I have not stop my step in the daily life. Although not in the english stream, but I do upgrade myself by attending few interesting and 'mysterious' courses.

It makes me 'open the eyes and ears' as well as my thought. Things do come in this way where we rarely think of. Some that we thought are complicated, but it does simple when we look it from the different way. (Not bullshit, or you think you have already heard it or understand it. You NEVER in the loop if you didn't go through what I attended)

Yes, we do always face those people said they already understood what you are trying to say or thought when you are still not presented it yet. That's we called it Bullshit! A big bullshit!!

With the scientific research & analysis, 95% of the people in the world are never "think". In another way to say, their brains are brand new! So, what makes you think you are not in the group this 95%??

A bit out of topic...just the scene shot pan back to my adventure. The few courses I attended, in general conclusion, they are the skills of persuasion and influences. Why we need these skills? I am who I am, I never thought of influence others to accept my ideas?? Is it so???

People are influence from one to another and it is our daily activities & needs. What you plan to eat for lunch/dinner, etc. We have to admit that we are practising these, influence others for any decision making.

It will be a long long story to share in this post if I try to blend all the things in here. So, be patient, I will explain it further in the future post.

Casualty Simulation

After conducting the casualty simulation course last week, the thought of having a 'complete one' come to my mind again.

What's the meaning of complete one? My definition is a whole or series of simulation; not only the makeup, but included the acting.

Everytime when I saw other area or state level organising the first aid & home nursing competition, their casualties, some are 'pro' compared to what we have. The meaning of 'pro' here is the actor (casualty) able to act how pain & suffer they are, from beginning until the end - some act from 8am to 10am with AV effect (audio & visual).

Is that enough we only simulate the injuries (wounds, bleeding & etc), without the 'acting'?

Always we give ours own excuses and complain that we don't have a professional or man power to teach members how to act. But, do we really need a professional for this? We are not going to big screen, not going to hollywood; we are only act in between of members, in front of public (during competition)...there is not neccessary to be 100% perfect, coz we are still 'learning'. (even some pro actor or actoress, they might also NG many times before have a good take; then why we bother so much and make ourselves left behind?)

My idea is to have a course (3D2N or 2D1N) to teach members for the 'complete' casualty simulation. The topic covers 'what is casualty simulation & its purpose', 'acting classroom', 'preparation for simulation (materials)', 'practical on casualty simulation (makeup)', etc...

The reasons are:

1. We will have a pool of pro actors as casualty (we can 'supply' the casualties for competition and even the school level - if there is demo during the new members recruitment).

2. Educate members extra knowledge out of first aid (even it is related) & footdrill.

3. Freshness. Members gain the exposure for '1,2,3..camera....cut' - acting skills. (we have lots of many members love to act and some really know how to act.....therefore we always say they are 'action')

4. It is one of the cadet proficiency badges (I found that many members are interested to this subject, even myself)

However, to complete this task, many details need to come over...relevant topics, suitable lecturers (mainly the acting class), trainer (practical on makeup), correct materials, cost & fees, etc...

Anyway, I'm looking into some of the topics and maybe or maybe not this course will be organise.


p/s: I hope it will be a succeed as it will bring us lots of fun. (^0^)

Accident or Injuries

Last Sunday, I was met with group of friends and they show me some of the injuries they suffer from the accident or we called it injuries cause by criminal activities.

Here it is:

Does it looks painful?

Never ask me why the wounds are still expose and didn't apply any bandages. Because it never need to do so.

It is a low cost production.

The photos were shot during the Casualty Simulation course at a secondary school. This course is one of the skills and practical class for St. John Ambulans Malaysia members. Or we called it cadet proficiency badge.

I was asked to conduct this course for my school or division members that allows them to have a demostration during Teacher's Day.

Allow me to explain a little regarding the Casualty Simulation. Casualty Simulation main and only purpose is to create a look-real wounds and injuries for the members to see (observation) & practise (scenario / mock case) before giving the correct treatment. This will allows the members to have an exposure on how the injuries the patient or casualty of the accident may suffer. Then, we will have to proceed for primary survey (secondary survey may take place as well) and provide the suitable treatment for the injuries.

Back in time, I was first expose to this course in 1998 during the National Cadet Camp held in Kuala Woh, Tapah, Perak (organised by St. John Ambulans Malaysia). The first time, I applied cosmetic / makeup on others' face. A good and unforgettable experience.

Then, 1999, our area organised the same course for our members. (However, the production cost is even lower than what I did recently...^o^)

p/s: I have two certificate for this proficiency badge.

In the year 2005, another time I participated at Ipoh, our State HQ. This time, I learn more than the previous. (Maybe because of the age and knowledge is better than the younger period) It fills up the empty and lost info I learned previously. Example, how to make a cut, bleeding, burn, shock, fracture and etc effects.

However, makeup is one type of art. Those art related field & topic are always make an equal mark with money or cost. The better effect you want, the more money you need to spend for your tools. Especially when you want to make your 'art' as real as the actual, the cost will growth faster than the stock market. (Practise never make perfect, as before you can make it perfect, your wallet already surrender)

This is another simulation, finger amputation.

Customer Service - Customer always right?

Long time didn't get in to wrtie something. Sometimes confused whether still I am able to write. But, here I proved that I still can do it.

After graduated from university and start on with working life, there is a thing, I keep on asking myself and even attending some courses to try to understand about it.

Yes, 'Customer Service'.

During study life and homeworks, I trust and bet every university & college, no matter what field you are in, it involves business, it involves money, and your boss & client are GOD. Every single little thing we do, MUST fulfill their need; if we fail to do so, we are the one who is goes wrong.

Customer Service is the FIRST priority no matter what business you are doing, this always hear from lecturer, supervisor, superior, boss and even some hear the own voice on this.

Is that true? I think it 'was' true.

Do we still need to depend on customer satisfaction level and make it our first priority aim & goal?

Nowadays, there are plenty, plenty of products out in the market. Some are niche, some are mass, some even nobody needs it. No matter what product or service, customer need it or not, it is not important because we 'educate' them to use the product and service where the advertising & promotion take place.

For example, toothpaste, my family use 'c' brand. However, when 'd' brand giving out free gift with purchase, trust me, human are greedy, you may tends to look and relook on it, where some will grab one or two just because you think it is worth for it. And, when you reach home, the product you just brought is placed in the store and you suddenly realise you don't even use or need it. this is the power of advertising & promotion.

In this case, can we return the product to the store and get back our money with the reason 'customer always right'?

Please wake up! Customer is always stupid! Therefore, businessmen & marketing people try to help and educate everybody.

Previously, all the business move towards customer satisfactory. Customer say 'no', you need to change and move faster to make them happy. It makes the business hard to survive and profitable because they are same category and similar products always beside yours. Customers are human; human never feel satisfaction. You want to make your client 100% satisfy with your product, thank god, if your company and product still in the market.

So, now, change the mind set. My product & service always right! (It depends on your product & service if it is really good)

Educate the customers. They are not that clever to teach you how to improve your product and service. Educate the customers, make them follow your rules. Educate the customers, inform them your product & service is the best.

No doubt, at the beginning stage, there must be lots of rebound. But who cares? Now, business should be make your own PROFIT as the first priority. I raise my product & service price because I believe it is worth for that. I increase the product & service price because the economy is bad.

Some may disagree on this issue. Ask yourself, the leader of the service category is? In my opinion, prostitude is the service leader in the category. (please ignore the legal issue at this moment) They make their customers satisfy; but while the customer complain on the service after the sales, can the customer just walk away or just pay as-much-as they think is worth? Come on, this is a realistic issue. I give you the service, and I must get back what I expected return; you not satisfy at this time, please make the arrangement for the second time.

Petrol price increase, residents never make noise on that? And the result is? Price up means up, no matter you agree and satisfy or not; you can choose to use it or refuse, but you still need to pay for it, in indirect way.

Fast food restaurant, they change the menu few months once, the price seems like the same, but the value of the menu set is definitely more expensive than previous. Can you complain on this? Sure, but you either continue to purchase it or ban it. It is your choice and the business is still goes on, as you are only one, you are never be able to represent everybody.

So, is customer still the one who is always right? You have your own judgment, so as I.

Who are you?

An incident came across my mind and make me to have a smiling face. This incident happened few years back, about 3-4 years ago (2005).

Remember that night about 7pm, after a movie at Time Square with 4 of my friends and ready to drive them home. I received a call when we were driving out the parking and waiting for parking payment.

The memory still fresh in my mind. As usual, I pick up the call and answer. The guy at the other end said "eh Liew, can you come to TM Tower now, my motor is out of fuel, can you buy me some?" I answered "I'm now in KL, and I have somewhere else to go. Can you call other friends to help?" "Ah, ... like that ah ... I call others la..."

The content of the conversation almost there. However, the call last for 5 to 6 minutes. Until the moment I end the call, I laugh. My friends asked me what is so funny about. I said, even after I end the call, I still don't know who is the one on the other side. They heard, and laugh, too.

But for sure, the guy (confirm is a male voice) should be my secondary schoolmate. As those who call me with my surname, only those few. I have asked around who study nearby but none of them admit they made the call to me.

Then, will there be a chance friend from college or university? My answer, IMPOSSIBLE! My college or university mates all call me by name and not surname. Furthermore, the way the guy call me seems like we knew each other long long time ago. My relationship with those collegue & university mates are not as close as until can shout for help. We met only while there has class.

It is a mist to me, until today. First, I was unable to recognise the voice's owner during the 5 minutes conversation (I am pretty good in recognising voice, at least it is in good condition at that moment). Second, the call doesn't appear the caller name, obviously, he is not listed in my friend list.

Due to this incident, I always remind those society members especially the junior, please do the following when you made a call:

1. Identify yourself. Who are you. You name.
2. Ask whether the receiver convenient to talk.
3. Calling purpose.

It sounds like very simple and a bit nonsense. But, think twice, if someone call you, ask you damn full lot of questions, tell you the purpose of calling you, but never clarify who is he or she, what's your respond? It can skip and jump straight to the main point if the caller is your close friend or family members where you knew who they are.

Please don't 'presume'. Presume others knew who are you; presume other have saved your name and contact in their phone list; presume everyone is convenient to have long conversation with you all the time.

I do the 3 tasks above whenever I made a call even the client I have conversation for few times. This made me flash back that the client scold me when I tell her who I am, as she said she already knew the call is from me. but, what's wrong the sentence after 'hello' is your name?

No matter how important and urgent is the conversation you want to make, without clarify caller or your identity to the receiver, it is meaningless & communication breakdown. At last, the caller might make a wrong or fraud call.

The call I received, is the guy really need my help or it is a trap, I have totally no idea at all.

Creative + Recycle

After some time that I have the idea of doing something on my own with the use of the recycle items.

An image came across my mind last few days. It was a table lamp. Yes, it is a table lamp.

I tried to imagine and flash back the image on that night where the image pass thru my mind. There are severe possibility for me to act it on. At last, its final outcome is hold by me.

Then, I work it out (or call it illustrate) in a 3D program. However, the illustration based on the image in my mind, I think it is too simple. Therefore, I added some 'useless' decoration on it.

The main source for this table lamp is recycle CDs. I have it few months ago but hold it until my mind told me, it is time for it. Well, I took the step to buy other necessary materials to made up the table lamp, which is ... the lamp (with bulb).

Fighting with the time for about an hour, my new partner of my room is born.

Here his look:

Creativity, of course, nothing much for that, but is origin.

It is simple. And, maybe there are people says that 'I can do one better; yours too simple, can make it better'. Yes, who doesn't know that mother always a woman? Talk, always easier than do.

Just a simple and quick one, I made up my new table lamp ( of course it is used for decoration purpose only) from recycle CDs.

Actually, before I execute and made up this table lamp, I have the idea of making one since long long ago; at least 6 months ago. However, until today, I act on it.

No doubt, executing is important than talking & thinking. Action, is the only way to make things done.

A Whole New Year 2009

Year 2009. It gives HOPE!

Everyone hope that the economy getting better. Everyone who work hope that they can remain in their position. Everyone who study hope that holiday never ends. But, someone like me is looking for a hope, a hope to grow own asset.

Yes, economy goes up and down, most of the time went down never climb up since 2008. From the point of view of some experts, the economy seems to be start recovery earlist by mid of 2009.

About half a year start from now, the time for me to prepare, as well as time for most of the old & new investors to study the stock market. Although nobody hope to see and want the world economy crisis to happen, but nevertheless there are groups of people ready to.

Why? As far as we know, from print, history and other records, economy crisis seem to be happen every decade. Unable to deny that there were great lost in the aspect of financial, especially those who own a lot of stock.

Meanwhile, there is a chance and a hope. A chance for those who have saving to be participate in the stock and investment. A hope for those who have extra money, willing and ready to be rich. During my gathering with some friends, most of us agree that this is the chance for us, the younger generation group to grow our asset, potentially. As we understand that, if we miss the chance right now, we might need to wait for another 10 year.

Economy crisis is good? or bad? I mean, it depends. Depends on every individual how they perceive the chance & crisis. I would prefer to see it as a new monopoly game where everyone start from a basic cashflow and at last, be rich or stay in the game, be your hand.