My daily routine to work

Assalamualaikum & hello….

As you may know, working in KL (KLCC to be exact) is kind of effort consuming especially the part of getting here to and fro. I don’t drive to work and have no future intention of doing so. I’m truly happy to commute via LRT thus far. But there is a catch; a major change to my daily routine. Oh my…

4.30am

Terkedip-kedip mata jeling kat phone.. 10 more minutes.. 10 more minutes.. Snooooze….

5.00am

Re-heat the kettle as Uncle Din brings his own coffee from home to work. *nerrrd… Masak nasi..Tumis2 masak bekal untuk Uncle Din because if I don’t prepare his snack pack, he won’t eat the entire day. And kemas dapur while waiting for all these to be done.

5.20am

Change Piya’s diaper and make her some milk. Bath and get dress.

5.40am

Subuh in my gym attire. Teeeeheee

6.10am

Arrive at LRT Kelana Jaya station. And I just looooove parking in the front row.

6.40am

Hello KLCC! *pfffft………

6.50am

Burn those fats baby! Crunches, planks, Russian twist, run 1, 2 km on the threadmill, lunges and such.

8.00am

Here I am sitting at my desk and people thought I just came in….. have some breakfast and start to do my work.

5.00pm

And I’m done! Pack my things and rush to the LRT station.

6.00pm

Fetch Piya from her school just at the nick of time. I hate paying those OTs.

6.30pm

Cook dinner (daily hokaaaaaaaaaay….oh my) and get the table ready for Uncle Din.

7.30pm

Maghrib and do the laundry. Prepare Piya’s school bag for the next day, my gym attire and office attire too. Uncle Din’s clothes doesn’t need ironing as he doesn’t mind….heeeeeee…

8.30pm

Sidai kain, Lipat kain, thaw frozen chicken / fish / meat for Uncle Din’s snack pack..

9.30pm

Doze off……. I wish……..

I sleep lesser these days. Sometimes I wake up at 4.30am and have a very productive day. I gotta thanks my adrenaline rush as a result from working out at the gym. And unlike my previous job, I don’t even take naps anymore. I used to think I would die waking up too early but then again, everything is in your mind. Hopefully I can still be this optimistic when I have another baby again.. we’ll see how my schedule would look like huh..

Eat clean and stay fit people.

How much have i changed?

2015 marks my debut working with a new company; PET.

It made me reminisce my first day of employment with Proton 5 years ago; January 4, 2010. How I feel today is waaaay different than what I felt back then. I was scared, naïve, gullible, reciprocate on instincts, emotional driven, hot temper, sometimes insolent as I have little threshold of tolerance with imbecile & inefficient people and most all I was also driven by prejudice. I always made assumptions on people base on a few encounters only which at the end of the day I regretted those intuitive perceptions.

5 years later at the very same spot, here I stand again as a newbie in an established company. So how are my attributes these days? I would say I am more poised, more of a team player, better tolerance, more calm dealing with idiots, more composed facing with “difficult” people, I have more empathy now compared to before, I ponder on people’s behavior, and most surprisingly I began to flourish my leadership skills. I never knew I had that in me. I always thought those of pulses of being in control but apparently I began to establish traits of a leader. Poyo kan? Hahahahaha…

5 years of gap and I am very much different than the person I was in a similar spot. I would say these attributes were discovered by my fellow superior in Proton and they guided me to propel in constructive direction. Yeap, my superiors, my friends; Razman, PakCad, Zabani, Azlan Styling, K. Yati, K. Neng and most of all my dearly beloved K.Mia.

K.Neng once shared with me that Allah SWT gives us hidayah (hints) at all times. It is around us. It is everywhere. It is actually the matter of our heart, mind and soul to see them. To decipher them. It took me awhile to understand this notion but as it began to unravel, it made me realized that Allah SWT wants us to respond instead of react because respond is a result of calculative thoughts whilst reaction is a result of impulse. So whenever I am succumb to any situation be it by people, task or environment, I would take 1 step back and reflect on the situation. So this is where I began to notice that my superiors whom I mentioned earlier on did everything in their power for the sake of my improvement. I realized that now.

Dear Razman, PakCad, Zabani, Azlan Styling, K. Yati, K. Neng and K.Mia, I doubt that you guys will read this post but allow me to commemorate my gratitude. Thank you for everything and do believe when I say I am who I am today because of your teachings. Syukur Alhamdulillah Allah SWT crossed our path because it made me realized too that Allah SWT made us acquainted for us to learn from each other.

Thank you. 

A new year ahead

January 5, 2015

Happy New Year peeps! Sooooo, how did you celebrated yours? Mine? Terrific!! Fluffy pillows, soft blankie, warm bed aaaaand great evening programs on the TV. Mine was great! #motherhoodhappens

A new chapter with PET. 1 month has passed since I first reported for duty and it has been quite pleasant so far. I have a great partner in crime which is very important monsieur for it will either make you or break you. I have a great boss too whom I surmise very much akin to my previous Head of Dept in Proton. Whatever it is, I am currently (still) in a good state. So far. *sigh

In conjunction with 2015 debut, like others, I too have my own resolutions. I have it but I don’t normally filled them though. It just stays there up my board looking back at me every time I stare into space. Having said that, there are a few things that I’m quite certain of :-

1.       More runs

I want more runs. I am confident to do 10km now and I do aim to run once a month. I feel fresh, vibrant, energize and buoyant every time I reached the finishing line. But I do curse a lot while I was running though such as Whyyyyy oh whyyyyy did I join this??? Yeaaaaah, it happens. I feel proud wearing the medal after I completed the run. I don’t know; I just feel more powerful of myself. It is as if I have achieved greatness and explore my potential. Poyo kan? I know… (- ___-)

2.       Make friends amend foes

Well, yeaaaah… We’ll see about that… Hhhmmm

3.       Austerity Drive

As I was just about to taste the cream of my new salary scheme, we are being hit with a terrible news; the harsh waves on world oil price. So the company will be on austerity drive which also means I need to refinance myself and minimize my debts as low as possible. I’m so glad I made the right decision to move here.

4.       Babies?

To be frank with you, I miss being pregnant. I miss holding a tiny baby fresh from the oven. I reckon that the experiences I had with Piya educated me to have a better control in the event of another knocked up. Do pray for our sustenance yea as Allah SWT plans are always better than ours.

Well, this is simple mere of what I can think of right now. More resolutions will come along the way. All in all, I’m feeling pretty happy at this moment. I don’t feel crap over work anymore and that my friend is extremely important.

It's Time To Move On

May 2014

I don’t feel happy anymore. Nothing seemed to excite me anymore. Things were not going as I have hoped for. I have poured a lot effort to make this work but nothing seem to avail. Work oppression has definitely leave an adverse impact on my life. Well actually, in precise, the environment & ambiance made me trudge to work. Everyday my ultimate aim was to clock out at 5.30pm. This is so not me. This is very unhealthy. It is demoralizing on so many levels.

I have serve this company for 5 years. I can still recall the day I came for my interview. Baba accompanied me that day; like always. My father the hero. He is always there when I’m having cold feet and butterflies in my stomach. Then he will give me his speech on life and how challenges mold us to be better. And 5 years have passed since that very day.

But was I ready to move on? Was I ever ready to submit my resume and made that click? I was so complacent and the thought of starting fresh from the bottom was definitely not amusing. Besides, the uncertainty of what the future holds really twist a knot in my core. A good friend once advised me “Allah SWT gives us hints (hidayah) at all times. It is just a matter of us to look through it”. And yeaaaah, I think I noticed several hints but the 1^st step of making that change was not easy. It took me a lot courage. It means I would have to change and that is BIG.

September 2014

After a series of interviews and weeks of patience, I received a positive news. I really did not expected a constructive answer as the road was tough. The first thing that came across my mind was “How am I going to break this news to my colleagues & friends?”. Complacent. Content. These emotions will no longer be a part of me for the next few years. Will I be ready for it? Suddenly it hit me right there; OMG I am going to depart from my comfort zone. MasyaAllah………

2 days away from official report for duty. I haven’t pack a thing. I really wasn’t looking forward for a beginner’s induction program. “Hye, I’m Dora. And I’m bored. And I don’t wanna be here. Can I just start to work like.. now?”. I wish things were as easy as that. But nope; I have to endure beginner’s induction program. Now where is my luggage again?

1 December 2014

Registration day. Hmmm….. I stood there all alone in the very long queue waiting for my turn. As I observed the scene, everyone looked so young, slim, thin, fresh from graduation & positive. Well, you haven’t tasted life kids. I refuse to speak to anyone. I just stood there, hugging myself and fetch my things when my number was up. I walked all by myself as we were asked to proceed to the gathering hall. Again; I wasn’t bothered to speak to anyone.

I saw a girl with a Pakistani features “She looks nice & lonely. Pity her”. So I said hello and we were acquainted throughout the day. By the grace of Allah SWT, I met Seina. Apparently, we came from the same background and we were holding back a lot of feelings. The uncertainty. We instantly became close as I reckon she understands me the most. Alhamdulillah, she is such a sweetie pie. That was my 1^st friend here in Petronas.

The induction program was made compulsory for 8 days + 1 day + 3 days so that means 2 freaking weeks for me. The early days felt so long and was drowning was energy. I wasn’t present. My heart was still longing for Proton but I knew that I must move on. Until one day when both the facilitators discussed an emotional topic “Why Are You Here?”. Oh yesssss, it definitely broke me down to tears. I cried during that session. I could hear other kids were whispering out of curiosity but no one dares to approach me as I was still wearing my morbid look. I was still holding back.

It took me awhile to open up and I just continue with the compulsory activities; delivering presentations. Oh presentations….. The 1^st presentation was definitely not my cup of tea; the topic was solely on Oil & Gas or Exploration & Production. They sound soooo French to me. So I wasn’t bothered. Luckily the subsequent presentations were leaning more to my skills. Topics on work culture, business trend etc were definitely my forte. That’s when a few girls came up to me. Praising my presentation and asking me questions. That is where it all began. I begin to open up. I begin to talk. I begin to make friends. And hey! They were not bad at all huh….

Not bad at all...

30 December 2014

So here I am today. Completed the induction program and seated at my work station. It has been 2 weeks since I’m here and I haven’t started anything yet. Many people are on leave for the holidays. It’s alright then. Let me embrace these peace moments while I can.

MasyaAllah SubhanaAllah…. May Allah SWT ease all my undertakings….

Boring clothes to work

Assalammualaikum...

Something for me to ponder on my current job function....

The clothing etiquette of the corporate world is really boring.... Black, brown, beige, grey & white... No fancy clothing, no fashionista, no odd colors, no eye catching accessories, no fancy mancy anything..

BORING....

 

In fact, this is kinda stylish hence not allowed here in the company I work with...

I adore how Vivy dress to work these days but then again it does comply to my workplace. As a matter of fact, a memo was circulated on those who wear floral brooch placed on their head and colorful shoes. The management does have a point though; this is a corporate work place.Pengsan boss i kalu pakai gini ge keje kot... Maybe I should try wearing a turban just to tease them & see their response.. 

Vivy Yusof is drop dead gorgeous right? More of her traits here . I love her & her style.

Now this really made me ponder; am I really supposed to be here if fun is not permissible? 

One of my modest office wear with mom's batik scarf (the scarf is 30 year old)

 Change my job to meet my wardrobe? Hahaaa... crazy....

So here's the beautiful Business Etiquette Expert; Puan Faridah from FaARA Training Center. I attended her training recently where I've learned a lot on business etiquette. Apparently, most of my clothes are not suitable for work aaaaaand I need to revise my wardrobe. Puan Faridah said "you must have 2,3 personalities; office, daily & functions subject to time & situation". Needless to say, I can't mix my definition of "fun" with work...

(-___-)

*Dang*

Poignant news....

Assalammualaikum,

How do you respond to unwelcome news? How do you digest unnerving news? Wish I know how to perceive them in a calm and collected manner rather than feeling poignant & a tad bitter aftertaste. Today is just not my day. Nothing to do with my personal life though, this time is strictly office oppression. As I'm writing this post entry, I'm trying my best to absorb 1 big upsetting news, 1 unsettling information and another annoying circumstance that I'm made to endure today. What a bother!

 

The upsetting news #1; maybe it is just not my sustenance this time. Xde rezeki kata orang. Nak wat camner... I was kinda ready to receive this news with an open mind but was still crossing fingers in case things would turn around. But hey, memang xde rezeki...

The unsettling information #2; he claims it is for the best of my career path as remaining here will not help to diversify my capability. It is for the sake of career growth. I really was not expecting this and still am feeling morbid towards it. Something great to obfuscate on. I still don't know how to reciprocate on the subject matter but hopefully in time, I will learn to accept this change. Sometimes change is good. Sometimes change is for  a better cause, a higher purpose. I don't know... Screw this..........

 

Annoying circumstance #3 or should I say an annoying situation to be in. I really hate it every time this happens. This is norm when you are liaising with big shots too closely. They are extremely occupied and their schedule is from morning until late evenings. The best slot to meet them is after work at night. And I hate this. I would be fine if I am still single or I don't have any children. But I am a wife and a mother. I still have to rely greatly on my mom to fetch my daughter when I am working over time. Don't get me wrong; I don't mind an abundance of work load. Hey, I used to work with a Chinese company that squeezes me to work from 8.30 am until 3.30am okay... I can handle workloads. What bothers is me to find someone to fetch my kid, make sure she eats & bathe. Is that too hard to fathom? My poor daughter........ I really hope she would be fine... Please eat something baby.....

 Miss my baby girl...... :(

I'm totally in an utter petulant mood..... May Allah SWT give me some guidance to find the silver line behind these hovering gray clouds of mine...... Subhanallaaaaaaaaaaah......

Maimoon & Hayfa Marissa

A good colleague of mine in particular Maisarah Mohamed Taib whom I prefer to call her as Maimoon has delivered her 3^rd baby girl on Nov 19, 2012. I think it has been 1 month since her confinement period but I never got the time to visit her though until today. She already had 2 girls prior to that so the 3^rd delivery was much at ease. She didn’t even have to endure any episiotomy whereby the healing is very painful and time consuming. (ngilu…..)

So today happened to be a great opportunity to visit Maimoon and baby Hayfa  at their beautiful home in Putra Heights. I present to you baby Hayfa Marissa!! 

She detest unannounced guests so early notification was made compulsory. But this is what happened when she was informed in advance; she went through the hustle to cook and prepare delicious food for lunch. My goodness… But I must say her cooking is definitely finger licking good. I even had a 2^nd round on the spaghetti (I loveeeeeee spaghetti yea)… Thank you for reading my mind Maimoon. But but but…. I wasn’t the only one who was extremely in great hunger. In fact, all of us were very hungry that we could eat a horse...We all sat and dine quietly appreciating every moment of digesting the delicious foods. Nyum nyum.. 

Maimoon told me that she is a loyal consumer of Premium Beautiful whereby this shall be her very first choice for every post delivery. According to her (I quote) PB is much easier to be worn, to move and much more comfortable to be in than the traditional corset. Besides, Premium Beautiful’s grip is much tighter and firmer because the conventional corset has high tendency to loosen as you are only anchored by knots.

Usually normal delivery would require easily 2 weeks of leadtime before you can slip on the corset subject to recovery. But for Maimoon, she started wearing PB on the 4^th day as she doesn’t have the episiotomy stitches. Good tip yea?

 

Congratulations dear on your beautiful baby girl! Orang Kelate kata “haaaaa… baby comey.... boleh laaa beranok banyok-banyok”.