Work

So we've already been at work for 7 days already. But I guess today I've offended an associate by officially being a pussy.

I accepted my job with the knowledge that we only get accounting jobs. Which of course includes work like photocopying, filing, etc. Or maybe that's just my definition. But today my associate assigned me a novel task. Or at least one which I wasn't prepared for: telephone interview. I was the first in the group that was given such a job. I procrastinated very badly. Until a senior manager came and asked who needs a job. Impulsively I raised my hand and yelled "I need an alternative job!". The associate apparently heard that and a colleague later told me that she didn't look too happy. Invaluable lesson learnt. Sigh... But obviously the cause of the problem is that I was being a pussy. The associate gave up on me and finally approached my colleague while I wasn't around to let him do it instead. Colleagues thought I should hide in the filing room and cry.

Later today however every one of us was assigned the same task. This time overseas calls have to be made. Mine goes to Singapore and South Korea. Challenging indeed.

Do I have (yet) another speech problem? Did I say IMIT or RMIT? Nah... Couldn't be.

And I guess I now know why my blog is unpopular. It hasn't got pics. True enough.

Confirmation

I guess this update pretty much confirms the fact that I have a tendency to write when I'm not that sober. I mean c'mon, numerous classic literature pieces are written when their author wasn't particularly 100% sober.

Today, I tried drunk driving, but only less than 1.5km in distance, hence calling it a 'try'. The majority of the journey was another first time thing; rather odd but I've been driven back by someone I've barely known, someone from the opposite sex. It was also my first time chucking down wonton noodles while getting chucked more beer by kids younger than me.

Good night indeed. Because beer makes friends. Lucky Carlsberg doesn't do friends/housemates eh?

New Week

I love the previous update so much I don't know if I should write another now.

So it's been 3 days already I've been working in EY as an intern. Good to have a friend there to start at the same time. As again, for people not really familiar with accounting, I'm assigned to a rather obscured department: Transfer Pricing. First day was alot of red tape, second day was alot of reading, but we had a cake cutting session and some work in the third day. Parking and eating although still in the reasonable region, I would still say it's rather expensive, considering my meagre allowance.

Intermediate Macroeconomics, again. My first proud H1. Today I received a letter from the Head of Department (Economics). Asking me to strongly consider majoring in Economics and try for Honours year economics research. Well, I wouldn't mind, but I've always put Actuarial Studies first. Although I'm struggling, I still love the challenge. Third year is here, which means it's time to up my efforts. I'm pretty sure I'll do well again.

What Was Next?

I was brought into a lounge by a friend. We chilled and enjoyed the ambience and each other's company. It was also great that there was not too many patrons there. Then more came. And more. I wasn't aware that the place was a favourite hang out among salespersons of all sorts, until one approached me. I declined his kind offers politely. I bumped into a friend, F, she sat down and we had a short but enjoyable conversation. Then she left the table for a while. But she really took quite a while. As time passes the place got so crowded we were seated adjacent to people we don't know. I was approached by another sales guy. I got a little pissed, plus the scene was getting a little crappy. Then somebody tapped my back, and Ben threw a Ben. I yelled and asked him/her to fuck off. I turned and it was F. She sat down and broke into tears, looking utterly disappointed. I explained myself.

This dream reminded me of my bad temper and what it can turn into. And how it often fucked things up. F was the perfect cast. She is someone I don't know, but I and my friends always have very good regard of her. A lesson indeed: why fuck up something so precious with my bloody temper.

Never Again

Lastnight was my first time passing out completely. And I really hope it would be the last. I couldn't remember a crap. I'll not get into detail of what my friends and family told me but I basically went unconscious (yes, not even capable of walking nor saying a word). Thank you mom for sleeping outside with me, dad who didn't get too mad, brother who was amazingly amused and friends who helped me got home.

The last thing I remembered was being high but I couldn't even remember when I actually got into the drunk phase. It seemed only a split second between high and passing out. Man I really don't know but some told me I wasn't acting like myself. Sure our drinks were with us but I had this habit of walking and fucking around in clubs. Maybe I was drugged. Or maybe it was the sheer rate I went.

Sorry but I have to name this place. So you could be a little more careful next time. Thai (fuckin') Club.

It also got a little hard to stomach things that happened last night. Never again.

Results

Financial Mathematics II: 53 (P)
As some of you know, this is the paper that I applied special consideration for and the one most fussed about. Its application was considered but no appropriate action was taken.

Applied Mathematics (Advanced): 60 (P)
The subject that I repeated. I thought I could score. But at least I'm finally through.

Organizational Behaviour: 64 (P)
One mark away from even a H3. My group's aim was a H2 though. I wonder how they did. The one and only management subject I'll be doing, ever.

Statistics: 71 (H2A)
I remember walking to the exam hall asking my friend if I would pass the exam. Apparently I fared OK.

Intermediate Macroeconomics: 81 (H1)
My first H1. From the most unexpected of all subjects. Could have done better if I didn't get stuck halfway my essay. Thanks to generous assignment scores though.

I trust it will be a good vacation indeed. Now that I don't have to worry about my course structure and can remain as an actuarial student. In addition, I'm sure the vacation training in this reputable accounting firm will fill my time good. Happy holidays everyone.

Malaysia! Part II

Don't know what happened to font options. Anyway:

The previous time when I came back to my hometown everything seemed fine. At least I didn't have much to whine about. By no means am I implying that I have been complaining alot, well at least not outside this blog.

It really makes me wonder why. After a little thought, I reckon these factors may have contributed:
1) 9 months in Melbourne being single. Makes a bit of difference.
2) Mixing with Singaporeans. One starts to compare. Neighbouring countries yet so different.
3) Fixed monthly expenses. Higher Purchasing Power Parity (lower living standards) means more spending power. And more spending had made me realize the shortcomings of one's spending capability in Malaysia and its pattern distortions.
4) Being a second year student and collaborating academically with local students in various assignments, my critical point of view may have probably been sharpened.

Undoubtedly, food is cheap in Malaysia. That is perhaps one of the greatest joys of any students abroad who are coming back here. Besides family, I'm pretty sure cheap good food is of great importance. Then we have friends we grew up with.

But maybe good things just stop there. I don't know. But maybe these problems are not KL-specific:
1) climate. Bearable, but absolutely not conducive for the mind to perform.
2) social institutions. Hot topic of mine. I could write a post next. Big question: why Malaysia doesn't perform well enough?
3) money, again. Too little things you could buy even if you had an extra 100 in your pocket.
4) some people get too materialistic. Money is all that occupies their mind. People lose grip. They don't have a good balance in their lives. I despise that.
5) happens everywhere, but I hate kids who think they're all that by spending them parents' money.

But then again, that is just me. Someone who have been abroad long enough to feel the differences. I am sure it is a great country for we can see that many are contend living here. I certainly have no idea how many blogs out there give people an insight into what a person like me would be thinking. I just thought it could help a little if ever officials will ever stumble upon this. And not deny. But that'd still take decades, while we only have 14 years to 2020.

I hope tomorrow will be a very good time for me to write on social institutions in Malaysia. And most importantly I hope that it'd make a difference some day!

Malaysia!

Now giving you the more sober edition.

So this blog started out as a pad of my little musings legit enough to be publicized, the first two posts being complaints regarding the crap public transport system (along with some of my economic theory). Well I suppose this blog is very much just a personal thing, having so little visitors I strongly doubt it would have sparked (or even merely contributed) to the radical change that came about to the system a few months back. So radical I wouldn't know, yet, how the system really works and connects. I will perhaps find out and shall keep my little meagre audience updated. Opinions of course, not such technical details.

Purchasing Power Parity (PPP). On a dollar-to-dollar basis, I must say Ringgit has a poor PPP but certainly (and fortunately) as I am sure it's much better than much of the rest of the world. Booze is expensive, for example. Typically that's why you see students drinking (almost) recklessly when they're abroad.

Partying here is pretty different as well. Yes, it was a week night last night, but it seemed as if I was the only crazy guy dancing around in the club. I was happy and at least, c'mon, some were amused to see me enjoying myself.

Tropical climate means alot of mosquitoes, which suck 'cause after staying in Melbourne for some time you'd forget how the pain and swell felt like. But in a tropical country them mozzies are a bit too keen to refresh your memory.

Work. It seemed like I had given the impression to my interviewer that I don't know what I want. An actuarial student applying for auditing. But being from the HR department I bet she could tell pretty damn well if someone actually knows what he/she wants. Let alone I don't have any idea of what I would be in a decade's time, I wouldn't know where I'd be. All these plus indulgences all around oneself only imply that life is way too short. Choices suck.

Friends' work. Some of my buddies are working full time, some part time. It's good to see them earning some money of their own, and (most of them) having the mentality that it's good to be spending their own money. I couldn't agree more. Some are struggling of course, but being a friend I could only hope to see them prosper in the future.

Oh well. I could write more. But forgive me, I'm not too used to the weather yet. It's still hampering my creativity a little. Meanwhile, have a great day people!