31st December. Adieu 2010!

Exactly a year ago, I was at Level 36, The Emerald Co tower, waiting for my turn to be assessed during the structured interview with the Company. The session was quite hard and I thought I was bluffing all the way and I know the panelists know I was bluffing them :-) Alhamdulillah, 3 weeks after that, I got a call from The Co. and I got accepted to join The Emerald Co.

But it didn't turn out to be a smooth sailing all the way. The offer for employment was put under 'conditional' term after the blood test result shows that my cholesterol level is way high, even the doctor said, "You could just one day collapse and die..." Dieting regime starts right away while exercising continues after I ran my first open running contest in Putrajaya, a 7.7km race.

Finally, I got accepted to join The Emerald Co. after I lowered down the cholesterol level to a level which my cardiologist said, "Amazing! What did you do?" Then, the agony of waiting for the offer letter starts. At the other end in Smokey Grey, I've tendered my resignation. It was a very nervous moment when I could only see the 'revised' offer letter 2 days before my last day in Smokey Grey.

It was sad to leave Smokey Grey especially the 'thinkers' team. We were very good as a team. The boss was great. While we hear lots of hanky pankies and gossips with other teams, our team just rock! delivering what is expected by the company while keeping harmony checks. Started the second half of the year with a new workplace and am still there, just been ok-ed for the confirmation of employment :-D

Apart from that, everything went, I could say, in great ways. My health was in the best condition except for one or two times I had fever, that severe hiccups due to allergy to medication and of course the minor foot injuries I'm recuperating now. The recent check-up on my heart functions shows what my cardiologist describes as, "Your heart works extremely well..." Alhamdulillah.

I'm still doing pretty fine in running. Completed 14 races that include 4 half marathon races, and another 3 non-competitive/charity walk/run events. I have also volunteered in a couple of events. You can read all those here. While I can't run for now, I've been taking up swimming classes. By 5th class, I could already swim breaststroke and freestyle the whole pool-length and now will go into butterfly stroke.

Another milestone in life - I've registered for my Masters classes. Will start my first semester next Wednesday. This has been long due and about right time for me to do it but I'm sure it ain't easy peasy.

I think that's pretty much sums up my year. And now I'm at the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, taking time off, away from the hustle bustle of city, resetting my mind and body in anticipation of a hectic, busy and hopeful a greater year in 2011.

Happy New Year!

Glorious bravehearts - AFF Suzuki Cup Final

Heroes, every single one of them. The bravehearts in blue walked tall after conquering Indonesia in the cauldron of Bung Karno Stadium as skipper Safiq Rahim lifted the AFF Suzuki Cup after completing a 4-2 aggregate victory in Jakarta.

The 2-1 defeat in the second leg did not matter as the job had been done three days earlier in Bukit Jalil as Malaysia celebrated their first title in 14 years of trying in the competition.

Malaysia had entered the second-leg as favourites for the title on the back of a 3-0 lead from the first-leg. However, things could have become tense for the eventual champions if Indonesia's Firman Ultina had managed to convert his 19th minute penalty. Malaysia stopper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat managed to pull off a save and the tie was all but over when Safee Sali scored for the away team - his fifth strike of the tournament.

Egged on by 80,000 supporters, including president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Indonesia had started the stronger of the two sides with Irfan Bachdim going close in the 17th minute.

Referee Peter Green then awarded Indonesia a spot-kick after spotting a handball in the Malaysian penalty area. However, Firman, who was later named the tournament's most valuable player struck a weak shot straight at the keeper. This was to be the story of the first-half as Alfred Riedl's men continued to go close without scoring. Cristian Gonzales was in the thick of action and nearly scored twice before the first-half ended.

Malaysia, with a three-goal cushion backing them up, were content to soak up the pressure and search for counter-attacking opportunities. The tactic paid rich dividends early in the second-half when they gave away possession near the half line.

Norshahrul took advantage of the slip-up to put Safee through. The tournament's leading striker outpaced the Indonesian defence before smashing the ball into the top corner. 1-0 to the away team and a monumental task confronted Firman and his men.
Although they tried gamely, scoring first through Nasuha and then through Ridwan (via a deflection), scoring three more goals proved to be beyond them.

It was a desperately disappointing outcome for the home side - this being the fourth occasion when they had stumbled at the final hurdle. For Malaysia manager K Rajagobal and his charges, it was joy unconfined as they lifted the title for the first time ever.

Another milestone... a tough one rather

Monday marks another milestone of my life. I attended the welcoming session for the postgraduate candidates in the UM. Nothing much happened, except briefing about UM, some statistics shown, about financial, assistance, etc. One of the facts I captured is that there were more than 3,000 applications for this session and they only approved slightly over 1,000 applicants. But, not sure how many actually turn up to register.


Later in the afternoon, we all went separate ways for briefing at specific faculties. And this is when we were briefed about the requirements of each course and for graduation. Man! It is tough to graduate with M.Ec. I can tell you! What with the killer core courses of Advanced Microeconomics and Macroeconomics, Econometrics, research paper. And what with the minimum passing mark of B, then comes the conditional passing mark. Aduuhhh... and while I was targeting to finish in around 3 years, everyone was talking about maximum of 2 years. Damn!

Had a conversation with one of the Deputy Deans after the briefing and she advised me what courses should I take. And even she advised me to take 3 courses, instead of 2 courses I planned to take. So, this morning went to register for classes. Everything went well and I've successfully registered for three classes for my 1st semester - Ekonometrik Gunaan (Applied Econometrics), Makroekomi Lanjutan (Advanced Econometrics) and Public Economics. My classes will be held on Wednesday and Thursday nights and Saturday afternoon.


This is where most, if not all, of my classes will be held. The place where I'll be 'pecah-ing kepala' too for the next two years, at least.

Now, let me enjoy this moment before classes start on 3rd January.

The latest addition - Novena

Sempat ke Kg Teluk Penyamun siang tadi nak melawat Lady Gaga yang baru melahirkan anak betina bulan lepas. Anak tu aku namakan Novena sempena mengambil nama bulan kelahiran dia dan nama shopping complex kat Singapura yang aku asyik dengar-dengar waktu kat sana hari tu.


Seperti biasa Lady Gaga memang nampak anggun dan bergaya dengan tanduk dia walaupun perut ada sikit buncit lepas beranak. Dan Novena pulak, memang comel. Muka macam mak dia. Yang paling aku suka, telinga dia yang macam keras dan mengembang. Hahahah


Pagi tadi jugak first time aku jumpa Blackrose. Blackrose ni kambing gantian kepada Julie selepas they found out Julie ni jantan sebenarnya (adehhh.... tersilap jantina). Dan first time jugak (aku dah lama tak pergi sebenarnya) aku jumpa dengan Lil' Brown, anak kepada Geena yang lahir sebelum raya lepas.


Lil' Brown ni punyalah takut, asyik berkepit je dengan mak dia. Ada sekali tu aku dapat tangkap dia, menjerit dia panggil mak dia, "emmmeeeeekkkkk emmmmeeeekkkkk" hahaha dan happy aku tengok Geena ni ok je menerima Blackrose sebagai anak angkat dia.


Dan jugak, dalam kandang kambing-kambing aku dan abang aku, tuan ladang tu letak pulak sekor kambing jantan. Macho dan hensem je rupanya. Ni kerja tuan ladang nak bagi kambing-kambing kitorang bunting lagi lah ni. Kita lihat siapa yang kena!

Double Trouble

Aku baru tau je pasal konsert DT Penang dengan Sunway tiga minggu lepas. Itu pun lepas aku tukar channel radio ke Sinar FM. Biasanya sekarang ni aku dengar Ikim je kecuali time belajar bahasa arab, baru aku tukar ke channel lain.

Dan kebetulan bila aku dengar promo DT, ada pulak diberitahu sms contest untuk Digi customers. Aku terus hantar sms, dan terus aku dapat reply kata yang aku menang satu tiket ke konsert DT.

So, on Christmas aku pun menyaksikan konsert DT kali kedua, after the first one in Kiara Indoor Arena. Walaupun malam sebelum tu badan aku macam demam semacam je tapi Sabtu aku gagahkan jugak pergi dan ok je macam tak demam dah. Agaknya sebab peluh bergelen kot malam tu.As usual, aku gi dengan bodyguard aku lah si Zam. Des couldn't make it sebab he was on some nationwide tour with his employer.


Overall, memang best kali ni. Better dari the first one in terms of logistics walaupun nak ke Sunway Pyramid tu di hari krismas memang jem macam celaka. But once inside, semua ok. Kitorang dapat position agak depan (dalam digizone area).


Songs choice pun ok walaupun ada lagu-lagu favorite aku takde namely Gadis Misteri, Isabella. Amy dengan Awie pun suara mantap kali ni. Dulu macam tak best sangat. Venue pun best open air, tak terkatup so angin banyak, tak leh basah lencun dengan peluh top to toe. Tapi nasib juga hujan rintik di permulaan tak berpanjangan.


Opening act by Azlan (and The Typewriter) diiringi oleh Sham (original guitarist Wings) dan Hillary (original guitarist Search) pun mantap. Lan nyanyi lagi Intanku Kesepian (click video sini) dan Fantasia Bulan Madu (click >sini).


Overall, aku puas hati, bodyguard aku pun puas hati. Tapi kalau tanya puas ke tak puas, memang lah tak puas. Kalau ada lagi tahun depan, aku pergi lagi. Kalau Awie ke Amy ke dah bertongkat pun, aku tengok juga. Hahahah....