Luck in a Pot!

It was a lively potluck. Sowie... Pictures will be posted soon. My xD card is not compatible with the MMC card reader on the laptop. And I forgot to bring my USB cable. My MING USB cable is not compatiblw with Olympus. Heh! I knew I should've just taken the pictures with MING.

Kak Teh's birthday was celebrated again for the umpteen time. According to her that is. Let me just start from the beginning...

I started preparing the dish at around eleven in the morning. Contrary to the initial plan, Kak Mas could not come earlier; something about her Streamyx connection at home and waiting for the support people to come... So, I started without her. Halfway through I realised the chicken that I prep for the pasta will not be enough. So, I cooked half of the pasta with chicken.

I then smsed Kak Mas to get some prawns on her way over to my place. When she arrived pot and prawns, looking a bit harassed as a result from the failed attempt by the Streamyx support team, I quickly get to preparing the second half of the pasta with prawns. The garlic for the pasta was a little overdone; hanguih la...

The kitchen was a mess! And I couldn't just leave it like that, so I cleaned up and mopped the floor, wiped the stove and wash all the utensils. I took about half an hour to prep yours truly to a presentable state of being. We arrived in Bangi around 2:30pm. A call made confirmed that we were not as late as we thought.

Section 3 in Bangi, is really a huge maze. We made a lot of turns before we finally arrived to where Kak Teh was hiding. Seriously, if you need to run away from anyone, try secluding yourself in Section 3. Or maybe, I have just left Bangi for so long (can't remember when was the last time I was in the vicinity before today).

30 minutes settling in we were chatting and laughing, tremendously enjoying each others' presence. The meetup was initiated by Kak Aisah from Rantauan. I became involved through Kak Mas. Amongst the attendees were a couple who recently got married (one year), who met in Rantauan itself. Lovely, isn't it?

There were ample food. Besides the mediocre aglio olio pasta attempt by yours truly, here were KFC, Dunkin' Doughnuts, my all time favourite satay, some kuih muih, and sets of beautiful brownies. Not to forget the birthday cake from Secret Recipe. Chocolate Indulgence. By 5:30pm, everyone could not move, I was doing my best to regulate my breathing, trying to get more oxygen in, the other were torn between over-feeding and sleepiness.

The couch was very comfortable, the air was cool, a great recipe for napping. As everyone doing their best to fight the lethargy, we exchanged news and stories about absolutely everything. From the weather to celebrities, from politicians to bloggers.

As usual, no meetup is ever complete without group photos. As we said our goodbyes, trying hard not to sound so sad, we hugged each other, promising that we will meet again. Maybe the next one will be in London, when we can fly there for only 99 sen via Air Asia...

Kak Teh is a vibrant lady. At her age, advanced in numbers, but never in spirits, what more in her looks, I really, absolutely admire her. She said she never had any real holidays, being in the field she is in. Even coming back to KL for a so-called short break, she traveled down South, and scurrying here and there for events and what nots. Including hot self-intro to a certain Teuku who claimed women bloggers are slackers and liars. Woohooo!! To which he replied, "No problem...". Heh!

Anyway, the rest of the attendees this evening were no less impressive. I could sit there and just listen to them all day. He he he...

I will post the food pictures as soon as I get my hands on the cable. And yes, I will also include the recipe for my Aglio Olio.

Yummy Aglio Olio

Spicy Shrimp and Spaghetti Aglio Olio

I've decided to cook for the potluck tomorrow. It'll be spicy aglio olio with chicken. Personally, I wouldn't mind going vegetarian with olio, but since catering to the mass, I guess, we'll go carnivore.

A replied SMS from Kak Mas confimed we're going to be carnivore tomorrow. So, I went to the supermarket last night and shop for the items. Kak Mas is coming over tomorrow morning to help while watching B&B at Channel 70. he he he... To quote her, "I'm a sucker for American soaps".

A dish of Aglio Olio is the simplest, quickest, easiest and tastiest pasta dish that you could ever make; like this Spaghetti Aglio e Olio here. A basic plain Olio will only need olive oil, salt, garlic and spaghetti. And walla, you have a plate of Olio. You can add black pepper and chili flakes to spice up. And throw in basil leaves or other herbs to kick the Italian touch in. Just awesome.


As a side note, I'm thinking of having my own herb garden. Not exactly like what Jamie Oliver does. He would just pluck the greens and chop them and throw it into his cooking. Although, I'd be more clean, where I'll wash them first. And my hands too! He can be soooo nasty while cooking.

I shall post my version of Aglio Olio as soon as I can. With pictures too!

Now, you can help me by telling how do I make a superb white sauce so that next time I can come out with my own Carbonara. Yes, I love Italian food. And most probably Italian men too. Muahahaha...

ps: this has got to be the Post with Most Web Links!!

Restless Is I

Something is not right with me. I'm restless.

A lot of things are going on at work. Confusing stuff floating around personal issues. Childish thoughts. Laziness. Unknown unfinished businesses. Debts to pay. Getting rich methods. The direction I'm supposed to head to. I am just RESTLESS!!

My mood changes in a blink of an eye. I wanted to be left alone. Then I want to be in a crowd. Then I want to get cozy. Then I just want to be on my own. It has nothing to do with the time of the month. No.

Maybe I am a commitment phobic. All the things I've said, suggestions that I gave, they are a hell lot tougher to be put into action by myself. I do not want to be tied down, at least not yet. I don't think I'm ready just yet. It takes a lot of effort because you have the obligation to make the other person happy.

I hate not knowing what to do next. Or more apt, hate knowing that I know what's the right thing to do next, except that I've got not enough guts to follow through. Life is not complicated. I am. Maybe I'm fickle, but girls are supposed to be that way, right? Darn it.

Kak Mas SMSed me this morning on a potluck we're having this Saturday. I am so looking forward to it. I need to be with different crowd at this moment. I just need to get away. The need is so great that I feel like eating Maggi Mi right this very second.

Something just don't feel right. And I need to figure it out on my own.

Fools Rush In

My ex-boss in Dehel once gave a good advice. He said, when you receive an issue or email that is provocative in a manner or in other words; asking for a fight, take time to respond to the issue. Take time to reply the email. He said this will help you to be more objective and focus. He was right.

I have applied his advice in many, many ways and I thank God everytime that I did. When I take the time to respond, I have more clarity on the subject on hand. No matter how simple or stupid the issue might be. By doing so also, I was always able to refrain from being defensive. Most importantly, I manage not to blunder and make a fool of myself. On the plus and satisfying side though, the other party always blunder and make a fool of themselves. Eventhough they call themselves, experts. Heh. (Okay, I am being evil here...)

Today, I'm taking his advice again. As such, I am currently writing this post. At the same time my mind is finding the right words to put in the email.

Why do people get defensive? These reasons come to my mind:

• They do not want to appear foolish.
• They refuse to acknowledge that the ball is in their side of the court and they have to do something about it.
• They do not want to admit that they are not familiar or know nothing about the subject matter.
• They are embarrassed because they only realised there IS something they don't know about or not familiar with.
• They want the other party to appear foolish.
• They want someone else to be responsible for the issue and do something about it.

I guess, if I go on and on it will only be variations of the above. So I shall stop listing.

I know sometimes I repeat myself too many times too much it irks people. I have no intentions whatsoever to make the person feels as if he or she doesn't understand what I am saying. And please, do not debate with me when you know I AM RIGHT. Not only you're making yourself look foolish, you're also tripping over your own words. Just accept that it is something you have to do and if you need help ask for it. By signing your email with "Consultant" or "Analyst" or "Expert" or whatever else that shows the caste of your position, that does not by any means indicate that you know everything. Accept the fact that everyday is a learning process and you will encounter new things. Yes, I am being a bit bitter here.

Having said that, I am not in any way saying I know a lot of things. Far from it. That is why whenever new things come across my way, I ask a LOT of questions it made people around me suffering migraine. Ask anyone. They'll vouch for it.

It just happened this morning. I was saying that any application should control the session timeout and not relying on third party something-something to ensure that. It take programming logic to make something simple(word use by the other party) like this to happen. I know what needs to be done is simple, and hey, I can do it if I want to, but then, I'd be doing someone else's job. And I'm not the one who's getting paid by the hour here.

Remember the partner I was talking about in my previous post? Well, as customary, they brought in another vendor to do a little JSP page for login and calling of API. This vendor, represented by one ABAP Consultant (woohooooo) and J2EE Senior Developer (fuiyoooo) has been undermining my knowledge since day one. Oh, it's a girl, she definitely know nuts and gets the job because she's cute (thank you, I'm flattered). Everytime we meet, they are always asking if tomorrow it will be a different person working with them.

Now, I asked for web server log, in this case, since they are using NetWeaver EP, I'm expecting the portal server log to see the SSL handshake error message. They could not produce it. Whacked the server, came out with gibberish logs. I asked is there any other configuration to control SSL session that needs to be changed, they were confident they've done everything correctly. I have to ask these questions because I do not know SAP. I can only share with them my previous implementations and what configuration was done. They should be able to tell me how the same thing is done on their product, right?

Wrong. Instead they kept hinting that the failure is on my part where my components should be doing this and that. At the end of the day, of course, it's proven beyond reasonable doubt that they should have configured their settings. I kept mum, not saying or doing anything to pulangkan paku buah keras as the old Malay saying goes. Revenge best served cold.

Today, I went to meet up with them on session controls. An application should terminate SSL session, clear off any cookies or session tickets when a user log out. Well, they who confidently say that it was already done by their application, was proven wrong this morning. That is when the Senior Developer gets defensive. Of course with my obvious sarcastic charming self, we parted friends by the end of the session. He even walked me to the door! He he he...

What I need to do now is to write an email to the Consultant, as he wasn't present this morning, regarding the issues that I raised and discussed with the Senior Developer. Yesterday, the Consultant, in an attempt to cover his backside, replied to my Account Manager's email emotionally. Proving the fact that he should've waited, and took a deep breath before replying.

The long post today is my attempt to ensure my email will be assertive sounding and not condescending in any way. After all, I'm just a lowly engineer. *Snicker*

Addiction

I am officially addicted to BAKERZIN.

As I'm writing this, I just finished a plate of Aglio Olio spaghetti, and currently devouring the ever delicious Sumatra. Gravt once posted a picture of Sumatra in his blog. But here it is again, almost half finished.

In my earlier post, I had Salmon Pasta with Strawberry Juice.

Today, my third visit, I'm drinking the same drink.

I am officially addicted.

You would want to savour the first bite. And then the second. And the third. Your face would display the ecstasy as the chocolate and cheese caress your taste buds.

Half-way through the dessert, you just want to gobble everything in. You can stop as you swallow one bite after another. You. Can't. Seem. To. Stop.

Well, maybe I'm exaggerating too much. But that's what it did to me. Just lovely.

Okay, itu sahaja. Sekian terima kasih.

Come and get me - Part 1

I am going to share with you my thoughts on courting women. What I wrote here is in my own reflection. They might not be applicable to some ladies out there, but I believe the basic principles are the same. You might just want to tweak here and there to suit the situation/woman you're with.

Here it goes, in no particular order.

1. Inopportune Criticism

While good advise are most welcomed, it should be when no one else is around to hear it. For example, never comment how the pasta sauce could be thicker or the chicken should've been baked longer in front of her family and friends. You might want to wait when everyone has gone back OR when you're excusing yourself to help her in the kitchen.

2. Beauty is you

Tell her she's beautiful even if you have to choke it, even if it means you'll be strike by the lightning for lying through your teeth. Any girl loves to hear that from the man she loves/likes any time of the day. When she's not in her Miss World state, believe me, she knows that. She just want to hear the words, and even though she knows you're lying, she'll still hug you and know you're being really nice and adorable. By the way, never ever ask her about the callous under her foot in front of her girlfriends. Major faux pas.

3. Go fishing and play kite

Have you gone fishing before? You know you have to play the line; tug it, let it go, tug it, let it go. Or when you're playing the kite, at times you pull at it and then you let it fly high and far. Same thing applies to women. She wants to be close to you one moment and the next she wants to be left on her own. She needs her "me" time. Too much of you can be choking. Too less, well, she knows then you don't need her.

4. Hen night, anyone?

You know the expression, "I'm stagged tonight"? Well, we can't really say "I'm henned", that's just wrong. The understanding is, you have your boys night out, so we have our girls night out. Simple as that.

5. In-dependence

She needs to be both at different or the same time. She needs to be independent so she can be in control. She also needs to be able to depend on you so she can feel loved and cared for. She will give the signal when is which. When she says "no" that means leave her be. When she looks at you with her round soulful eyes, you know you have to hug her then.

6. Distress call

A phone call in the middle of the night is always a distress call. It's either she needs to hear your voice because she misses you (or your voice can lull her to sleep) or she needs you to pick her up from a late night out with friends or she just got mugged. You have to pick up this call and drop everything you're doing to tend to her. It shows you care. It shows she has value in your life. This will score major points.

7. Indulgence

It is expected for you to wine and dine the lady you profess to have feelings for. Not always, though because then it will not be special. It will just be a chore. Special dates and events like birthdays and anniversaries are VITAL of course; totally expected. But most appreciated would be unexpected gestures. Therefore, surprise her every now and then. This also applicable to gifts and presents. It's not how much you spend that matters, most of the time. Although pricey ones will fall under "unexpected gestures".

8. Communication

Amongst all, this will be the most important part. Any relationship counselor will say the same. Tell her your grand dreams, ask her hers. Talk about politics, or books, or history, current events, anything. It shows you value her points and insights. It's saying you respect her intelligence. Communicate.

9. Be "The Man"

Your childish antics might be adorable at times. But she's looking for "The Man". You might not be "The One"; this means everything she listed in her "To Have" list. By being "The Man" you have some of the qualities she is looking for. You will know this by looking at her reaction. If she grimaces, that means a no-no. You have to play your cards right. The adorable mummy's boy might not be wanted in a certain situation. She might need you to be James Bond or Preston Burke. Think wisely.

10. Trust

You have to trust she can take care of herself. You have to believe when she says she likes you, she does. You have to accept when she says the other guys she's seeing are just friends. Trusting her is important, because she's trusting you with her heart too. If you're taking a risk, so is she. Jealousy is nice to a certain extent.

I shall stop here. I may add this list from time to time. Depends. May you get a kick out of this, ladies. And may you are enlightened, gentlemen.

Surviving Dysmenorrhea

I know.. I know.. I know... Most girls/ladies go through this. But I am neither "young women in their teens and early twenties"!

I used to take panadol when I was younger to ease the pain. And then I upgraded to ponstan. Now, I don't take anything. I do realise that when I frequent the gym, I do not get any pain. Nada. Not even a grimace. So, my fault, I haven't been to the gym for the past two months. But I have good reason for it!

I was lazy. Heh!

Anyway, a couple of weeks back, I notice a certain unsightly bulges became more visible than before. And I was feeling quite lethargic despite the extended sleeping hours. If those were not alarming enough, I was a little heavier on the scale than usual. The long holidays in February actually contributed to the spongy me as well. I was stuffing myself like nobody's business, which in a way is true, but there you go. I ate rice everyday on top of all those gravylicious and oilylicious and fattylicious food. Everything was sinfulicious!

So this week, I managed to drag my sightly butt to the gym. I ran for 30 minutes (with rests in between! gasp!) and then on the stepper machine for another twenty. If that wasn't enough, I went to BodyBalance class. My instructor was surprised to see me doing all the beginners posts. Seriously, my balance and stamina is not as it used to be. Even my limbs could not hold the posts for a long period of time.

As such, today, I shall go to the gym again for the class. I cannot let myself be lazy ever again.

Yes, yes... I am lamenting today. Blame it on the hormones. Blame it on the dysmenorrhea.

ps: yes, I know they say EPO helps, it didn't work its wonders on me. But, it seems floral tea can. Who can supply me with chamomile or lavender tea? Or, who knows where I can get them?

Anatomi Kelabu

This is the show that glues me to the set every Tuesday night.
If I can pick and choose a man to be my lawful wedded husband, I'd choose Preston Xavier Burke. He's intelligent. He's hot. He's tough. He plays violin. He's a man. If I can mould someone to have characters that I like, I'd do it with Burke in my mind.

I particularly like the scene where he walked into the bedroom and found sloppy Christina in bed, eating. He stood in front of the bed and declared, "I'm Preston Burke". And he went on describing his characters, his achievements. He told Christina that he loves her and she was a messy lady. He said, "I'm Preston Burke". Sandra Oh in her best dumbfounded face responded by saying, "I gave up my apartment 20 minutes ago". And Burke nodded and walked into the bathroom.

I love Preston Xavier Burke. Heh.

Of course, there's McSteamy and McVet, but well, I don't know them as well as I know Burke. The best relationship in the show is Burke and Christina's. Just awesome.

Last night show, was all about women with emotions. Crazy Izzie cheated death and lied to steal a heart. Fickle Mere hugged McVet while crying for McDreamy. Sad Addie lashed out in front of co-workers. Scared Christina held to anger at Burke. And finally Callie, said the words and anxiously waiting for George's response.

Women are emotional creatures. We want to stay aloof and distant and detached. But in the end, we just give in.We give in to grief. We give in to anger. We give in to love. We will finally give in. It's just a matter of time.

We are emotional creatures. Nothing to be ashamed of. There are very good reasons why God created us as such.

I couldn't wait for next week to know what's going to happen next, so I went on and read the recap on www.televisionwithoutpity.com. And I couldn't wait for the next season, so I read the season three as well. Heh.

I'm impatient. Did I ever mention I'm a sensitive person too? At times, I can be hyper-sensitive. That's when I might lash out the thoughts I don't mean for other people to know. Things that I keep to myself. I'm an emotional creature, otherwise I could not be phenomenal.

Duh.

The Quest of Excellence

10As. 15As. 17As. 18As. 19As.

Huh?!

My question is, when will this end? When will we alter the perspective that excellence is not all about how many As you get in your exams?

Kids as early as 5 years old these days go to tuition. We sent out children to smart schools wanting them to receive the best education and achieve the best results.

Have children these days lost their childhood? Have they been groomed to be an adult too early too soon?

There is nothing wrong to give the best education to our kids. Hey, if you can afford the best, why not eh? In fact we look for the best food, the best car, the best neighbourhood, etc. So, why not the best learning system for our kids, right?

I was a high achiever in school. But I wasn't the best. Although the pressure was great to be the best, and although the disappointment was great for not being able to be the best, I came through unscathed. Thank God for that.

It is not a matter of not believing that the new generation will not be able to do that. But, it's sad to see that the perception of excellence is based on the number of As. Are our children getting smarter? Or the questions getting easier? Or the techniques to answer the questions has spread (read: how much you can remember)?

I asked around does the number of As have significant in real life? The answer that I got was yes and no. As do get you ahead a few distance, but after that you have to either quickly start bu**sh**ing or have excellent soft skills.

It's good to know that our children is working hard to get good results in their exams. That means they take education seriously. They see the importance.

My hope is that they also take time to smell the roses and to feel the soft caress of the breeze. To hear the birds chirping and notice how green the foliage is. To indulge in communication between peers on matters other than school. To feel the excitement of puppy love and see their reflection blushing in the mirror.

But then again, it's just me, eh?

More on Jade

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

MOODS: SOFISTICAT

You're romantic, sophisticated and love the beauty of wide and open spaces. You can be a little nostalgic and love revisiting familiar places and memories. When it comes to art, you have a traditional eye. You are passionate about history and skills that have been around for centuries, you believe truly great art stands the test of time. As for music, for you it's all about joining in; a bit of self-expression. It's always on your mind, and helps you let off steam. Your choice of treat shows you crave relaxation. Maybe you live a pampered life - or maybe you're so busy you don't seem to get any time to yourself. When you're tense you need a little help to unwind.

FUN: CONQUEROR

You love physical activity - you've got a real spirit for adventure. Keeping a clear head and healthy body makes you ready for whatever life throws at you. For kicks you like to indulge in your great passions. You are probably happy spending time alone, and your drive and curiousity will take you all over the world. When it comes to holidays, you reckon they should always be indulgent - a very special treat and a chance to recharge your batteries in luxurious surroundings as well as spending quality time qith family and friends. What groses you out? You favour the natural look and can't stand a pumped and plumped, plastic appearance.

HABITS: NEW WAVE PURITAN

Even if you have a healthy approach to life, you still have your little vices that keep you going. It is all part of the routine, you're a creature of habit. Clean and pure - your choice of drink shows that on the whole you care about your health and make sure you're putting the right stuff in. As for the home ou have a very cool and contemporary tastes - a bit of style monger actually. It's not just about funtion - your environment has to be as styish as you are.

LOVE: PART TIME LOVER

For you love is about long-term commitment, it means devotion and tenderness. When you think of freedom - you think of the hard cash that can buy it for you. It's obvious innit? You're pretty wise to the world.

Hmm... what about you?

Phenomenal Woman

As today is International Women's Day, I pay tribute to all my ladies out there. I first heard this poem while watching Beauty Shop (2005). I liked it then. I like it now.

So, to all phenomenal ladies out there, enjoy.

Phenomenal Woman
Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Footnote: Maya Angelou (born Marguerite Johnson April 4, 1928) is an American poet, memoirist, actress and an important figure in the American Civil Rights Movement (Wikipedia).

PS: To Queen, thank you for your SMS.

Words of the Wise

I received a nice quote today... I thought of sharing it.

If you want to build a ship, don't herd people together to collect wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.
-- Antoine de Saint-Exupery


Many a times when we want something to be done, especially when we need other people's help, we fail to make them excited of the probable outcome. Because of this, team members are often gets demotivated, most often too quickly. Thus, deadlines are missed, quality goes down, team work; nada. And we spend so much time and effort to correct the mistakes that when the curtain goes down, all is left is exhaustion.

These are just some snapshots on extreme cases.

I also received a good advise on how to enjoy working.

Be Happier at Work
Adapted from Morning Notes by Hugh Prather (Conari Press, 2005)

• As the workday nears, and as it begins to unfold, watch it gently without suspicion.
• Take each task as it comes, and don't peer over it to the next task.
• Do the task impeccably, but don't expect acknowledgment.
• In fact, expect nothing at all from the job or from anyone in the workplace.
• Approached in this way, work can be happy, because happiness remains within our control.
• Keep in mind that gentle attention to each task can be very grounding to the mind. Happiness is our true job and happiness is to be found in the present moment.

Easy-peasy?

Al-Fatihah

I was just informed by Kakak herself. Her beloved mother passed on this morning at 8am.

I had to take few minutes to say something back to her. I am not good at comforting grief such as this. Because I know it's harder to the bearer, whatever the well wishers say. But my dua goes to Kak Intan and her family, to be strong and always remember that they who passed on shall live on in the ones they left behind.

Lots of hugs to Kakak. I love you.

Totally Exasperated

Eversince I joined Pudica, the common word that is being used whether in discussions or meeting is "challenge". Everytime we sit down with clients this word, never failing, will be uttered. Each time we have internal discussions "challenge" is something we face and answer to.

Today, I went to meet our partner for a meeting. There were few items to be discussed according to the invitation email. But, essentially there is only one thing that actually mattered. And it was, "challenge".

Pudica has worked with this particular partner before. In fact, DNAS, Alien and Queen are familiar with the people. I remembered Queen saying something about this partner being not doing anything. At that time, I did not agree (sorry, Queen), keeping mum though.

Yesterday however, changed my perception about them. And after the session with them today, which included their Project Manager, I am baffled and resigned.

My role in any project implementation would be as a consultant. We, Pudica, provide the components and basic guidance on how to manipulate the components to suit the application that an SI developed. Never will we be involved in the development process. And these partnership and way of getting things done have been in place for years.

The partner today however, expected us to spoon feed them. Deliver everything in silver platter. Probably gold, since they are asking for discount on the pricing. I quote the Project Manager's request here.

"You have to explain to us as if you're explaining to people who does not know anything. Treat us like babies. You have to feed us".

Now, if you can actually see my face reaction at that time, you would describe it as comical and baffled together with disappointment and disbelieve. I could not believe what I was hearing. Here I am, with people who are said to have ABAP/SAP experience, which by far is more complicated than a mere ASP/JSP/HTML scripting. Or am I wrong to think so? But if SAP is so easy, that it won't be so expensive, would it? Anyway, what I'm trying to say is, regardless what your programming language background is, even if there will be a learning curve, you can and will be able to adapt to a new language.

Yesterday during the server configuring session, none of its personnel actually stood by my side to observe the steps. When I tried to explain, they acted as if they already know what I was saying and doing. However, when I mentioned that they have to modify the sample codes that we provided, they suddenly became agitated.

After a little bit of drilling, they all admit that they are not programmers AND none in the company is. This really made me wonder how they implemented the same infra in a different project, which was certainly bigger than the current one. I asked them this and they told me that they were not involved in the process when it was done by the other partners.

Today, it became clear to me. They engaged consultants for different parts of the project (which is cool actually, acceptable) but they never get themselves involved on the actual work. They expect everything to be done by the consultants.

During the meeting, it dawned upon me that they do not like challenge. They do not want to be challenged. They do not want to face the challenge. They refuse to answer the challenge.

They are chickens. Chickens that poop around and everywhere and expect other people to clean it up. (okay, a little bit of anger here plus exasperation). They are yellow chickens because they are afraid to take up challenges and afraid to make mistake and afraid to admit that they don't know.

The project manager also mentioned that they can't afford learning curve at the moment because the project is urgent.But when asked to read and understand the guides that are provided during the weekends, the project manager quickly exclaimed that "we don't work on weekends". Ironic.

Needless to say, I am disappointed. It's all about attitude. If you want to get things done, and you don't know how, the least you can do is try to understand, try to learn a bit so as you can ask the right questions and not making a fool of yourselves or embarrass the organisation your attached to, even if at the end you decided you will need someone else to do it. Show some enthusiasm, make an effort to learn and understand. There's nothing wrong with that.

What was most embarrassing was that, they are my people. They are from the race who was said by Hang Tuah will not cease to exist. They are from the race whose ancestors traveled the world and well known intellects. They are from the race who jump so quickly when scorned or wronged.

I am disappointed.

Get to know Weirdo Jade

Contrary to what my Kakak says here, I am farrrrr from weirdly skinny. :-p I admit, I am not fat, but neither am I skinny. I do have certain bulges here and there that can actually be exterminated with sessions in the gym. Heh.

Anyway, I'm tagged by her. Coincidentally, since I am in a roll of letting my skeletons out from the closet, why not eh. And since I'm a tad weird myself, I guess it suits me nicely.

6 weird things about me

RULES: People who are tagged should write a blog post of 6 weird things about them as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave a comment that says 'you are tagged' in their comments and tell them to read your blog.

1. Everyday I feel as if I'm going to die that day. Shall not elaborate.

2. I still have imaginary friends. Some of them have super powers. But they are all human looking. My phantom lover, he can fly me to the moon.

3. If I can kiss myself on the mouth, I would. I was told I have beautiful lips. I was told my lips are made to be kissed. Not that I'm letting anyone to find out if this is true or not by kissing me, eh...

4. I drink a LOT of water. I go to the ladies every hour. But my skin is still dry. Help!!

5. I don't like routine (not weird enough). I don't like rules. I don't like being confined (still not weird). I don't like having to conform to certain uniformity; dress, mind, actions alike.

6. I think myself as weird. My friends think I'm weird. But they cannot tell me what's weird about me. Now, that's weird.

Okay, the weirdo signing off while tagging these six people:

1. Nina
2. Sheryl
3. Pink
4. Solace
5. DNAS
6. Nour

If doing this was therapeutic for her, it didn't do the same for me... he he he...,