This week I was scheduled for ETR and I honestly dislike doing ETR because I’m not good at it. I had to carry PC from Level 2 to Level 3, sit in front of the PC for hours to install software and create the image. I’m usually occupied on weekends and I do not wish to work on Saturdays. So I took up the task to do the image. The good thing was I had a trainee to assist me while doing the image. Ended up he does most of the work. There were 3 of us in the Workshop. There’s another Technical Assistant was also creating an image for another class. All of us stayed up will 9.30pm to get things done.

----------

Another Technical Assistant was also in the workshop with us. He was trying opens a faulty IMAC that was left in the workshop for quite a while. By watching him opening the IMAC, reminds me of a small boy playing with big gadgets.

"Hi, would like to send u for Red Bull tvc casting."
"Red bull casting @ planet films."

Yesterday I received a sms from TFS Creative Co that they are sending for television commercial casting.

I got all excited and was lost for words. It was my first audition for casting. Frankly speaking, I did not put much hope on the audition. I was looking forward for the experience. I have to start somewhere, right?

Planet Films was a bungalow located at Jalan Timor. It seems like a production company where people do filming and casting. While I was waiting to be called, I met a girl who was also from TFS Creative Co. We chatted and she told me that she has been to 2 auditions but was not selected.

The casting is pretty simple. I was asked to introduce myself and do some acting in front of the camera. The lady that was recording me told me that I am very small. Maybe I’m not what they are looking for.

----------

Right after yesterday’s Technical Assistant General Meeting, I asked my friend to accompany me to MidValley to shop for a blouse and 3 inches stiletto heels. For your information, I’ve been shopping since early of this month and now I’m seriously broke. I can’t affort to go shopping next month.

After the usual Technical Assistant General Meeting, Lab 3 was booked for Trainees' practical session. Few of Technical Assistants changed the settings and created problems on the PCs for the trainees to solve. Trainees were required to solve 5 problems for the session and some of them ended up getting frustrated because couldn’t solve the questions. But overall, I think they all did well.

Seniors creating problems and changing the settings on the PCs.

Trainees busy solving some technical problems.

Some were cracking their head to solve the problems.

I have this particular assignment that was given 3 weeks ago and it's due today.

I was so dead.

Planed to start during the break but ended up doing last minute assignment which is so bad.

I struggled over the weekend just to get it done and I can't believe some of my classmates can actually complete it within few hours.

That so CrAzY.

I don’t think I can actually sit calmly in front of the PC to finish a last minute assignment.

I would probably panic and couldn't write a thing.

At least I'm done with one assignment

Now I can sit down and relax.
But there will be more assignments yet to come.

Some snapshots taken at college today. This is the 1st UCTI CUP – Inter-college Taekwondo (WTF) Championship 2005. Went there with my dearest. He was there to photograph while I was there to help out the event. Both of us were given free t-shirts - one black and one white. Towards noon, my dearest's camera started malfunction during the event and eventually crippled. Poor thing...

** More photos can be found at Kevin's website.

Way before lecture starts, my classmates were taking photos using their mobile and digital camera. So, I join them and snap some photos.

It’s been quite a while since we took photos like these. That was a year ago. 1,2.

Last Wednesday we TAs had a review session for both existing Technical Assistants as well as the current trainees. Every Technical Assistants and trainees's comments were read in the meeting – both good and bad. No surprise that I received few bad comments from the trainees because not all of them know me or ever worked with me. Those trainees that I've worked with think I'm friendly while the others think I’m proud.

Oh well... I should try to be friendlier to them. Anyway, their training period will be ending soon and next Wednesday will be their last General Meeting. That is, IF they didn’t make it to them team.

For a change, our meeting was held at L3-1 and the tables were arranged differently. Look very formal to me.

I recommended an African college mate, whom I found to be good looking, to my dearest for him to photograph. He’s 6 feet and 3 inches tall with a muscular body.

So we made an appointment to photograph him at his apartment Sunday at 3pm. His girlfriend joined the photo session and they both took couple shots.

** Photos can be found at Kevin's website.

----------

While waiting, I went out to the balcony to snap some photos. From the balcony, I managed to get a good view of the Bukit Jalil Stadium. The weather was good when we first arrived. It only started to rain towards the evening.

My niece is turning 1 year old today (Actually in few days time. We’re celebrating her birthday in advance because it happenes falls on a weekday). Awww… Isn’t she adorable? Frankly speaking, I’m not good with babies. Never handle them before. Babies always ended up crying whenever I try to carry them. Hey, don’t laugh at me.

Look at her. Isn't she adorable?

Her birthday cake. Those 2 cartoon characters are her favourite.
[Left] Cheese cake
[Right] Jelly

My niece will be turning 1 year old in few day and my relatives drove up to Kuala Lumpur from Malacca to celebrate her birthday. They arrived on Friday afternoon and will be returning to Malacca on Sunday morning.

Yesterday, mum took them to Kelana Seafood Center at Bandar Sri Permaisuri for dinner. As usual, their food was great and everyone enjoyed the meal.

----------

Today, I took my relatives to 1-Utama shopping complex because they haven’t been there before. Honestly, I made a bad tour guide. I felt like I’m dragging them around the places. Not knowing what they want to buy or where do they want to go. At the same time, I make use of the opportunity to do window shopping. :P Still couldn’t find a small handbag for myself.

We had our lunch at The Chicken Rice Shop since I do not know any nice and reasonable Chinese restaurant around. There were only 5 of us and we ordered a set for 6. Everyone was bloated after the meal. Luckily, we managed to finish everything.

My dearest was feeling miserable because he couldn’t be with me today. Poor thing...

While later tonight, we will be going over to my cousin's place to celebrate my niece 1 year old birthday. Sigh. I'm feeling so old.

Fitness First had an exhibition at APIIT few weeks ago and I got a call from them few days ago regarding the free trial session that they are giving away. I do remember giving out my particulars to them back then when they came.

I was offered a free trial session at Fitness First at Menara Maxis. So I made an appointment with the consultant on Friday. As usual, I brought a friend along because I wasn’t familiar with the place and all. We arrived there about 10 and in order to get to Fitness First, we got to get pass the security. The place was highly secured with security guards and cameras. Visitors can only use one lift to get up to the building.

I work out for about an hour and then met up with the consultant after the work out session. As usual, after every free trial session they would try to promote their packages and convince us to sign up. Typical marketing strategy.

The ladies'.

----------

Around noon, we went to KLCC because I was looking for a Father’s Day gift for my dad. Couldn’t find anything within my budget so ended up getting him a tie and a tie pin. At the same time, I was also looking at the ladies sections for formal wears. Nothing impresses me until I step into Zara. Zara is still the place where I can find lots of casual formal wears. Their cloths are not as formal compared U2 or G2000 but at the same time it can be wear on normal basis. Can’t believe I spend money again.

I’ve been carrying too much burdens, so much so that I can’t bear it any longer.

I faced pressures after recently being promoted. My assistant isn’t cooperating with me. Despite the fact that I haven not been taking duties for quite a while, I wasn’t updated on any changes or progress that took place.

I felt there’s a need to voice out. But it’s so not me to put someone down. We’ve been in the team for quite a while. I don’t wish to make enemies. But can’t my assistant make things easier for me?

I felt that I’m responsible for everything done within the department. If any of the tasks have not been carried out accordingly, I would be the first to be blame. No excuse will be entertained. Being a leader isn’t as easy as I thought it would be. Things have changed. I’m no longer in secondary school. I have to learn how to managed people as well as myself.

Many time, I felt so hopeless being questioned without knowing the answer.

At night, I would wet my pillow and pray to God that my troubles will be over by sun rise. He told me to trust in Him and that He loves me no matter what.

----------

I Simply Live For You

© 1999 Russell Fragar / Hillsong Publising
Words & Music by Russell Fragar

Say the word and I will sing for You
Over oceans deep, I will follow
If each star was a song
And every breath of wind praise
It would still fail by far to say
All my heart contains
I simply live, I simply live for You

As the glory of Your presence
Now fills this place
In worship, we will meet You face to face
There is nothing in this world
To which You can be compared
Glory on glory, praise upon praise
You bind the broken hearted
And save all my tears
By Your word, You set the captives free
There is nothing in this world
That You cannot do
I simply live, I simply live for You

What would you do when you’re caught in a jam and you have a digital camera right beside you?

Haha...

I would just snap few photos of the traffic so that I will have something to blog about. No harm snapping photos while the traffic isn’t moving, right?

I know. I got nothing better to do.

----------

The following photos were taken while driving to college – in front of Arena Green (the road to TPM).

An online friend that I just know for less than 2 weeks wanted to meet me. So we made an appointment to meet at Bangsar MPH at 8.30pm on Wednesday. I told him that I will be bringing my college mate along since it so unlike me to meet an Internet friend who is 8 years older than I am.

Over that evening, plans started to change when few of my friends decided to tag along. That was after meeting and work. We reached Bangsar around 8pm and waited at MPH for my net friend. At 8.30pm, we saw one Chinese guy was also waiting at MPH for quite a while. We actually thought it was him but after I messaged him, he told me he was still at his office because I did not confirm the appointment with him. So we waited. At the same time, 2 other friends were on the way to Bangsar. While another guy that supposed to come couldn’t make it because he had some training going on.

After half an hour, my net friend told me to meet at Bar Flam (FLAM – For Love and More?). What happened was I was supposed to meet my net friend along with a friend. Then it turned out that there were 5 of us and along came 2 other friends who happened to be nearby and there were 7 of us (not including my net friend). Eventually it became an APIIT gathering. My poor net friend felt so awkward.

At Bar Flam, there huge mirror behind the toilet door in the ladies toilet. My, I have never seen anything like this before. Yeah, I’ve never been to clubs, bar or pub before. Well, maybe once.

We did plan to go clubbing after that but it turned out that some of my friends needed to be home early. So, plan cancelled.

4 of my friends. While waiting at Burger King.

At Bar Flam.

BAR FLAM
11 Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru, Bangsar
Tel: 03 2283 6833
Decked in bright red, Bar Flam continues to pack in the crowd especially expatriates and women. The bar cum restaurant offers a large assortment of fine food and an array of cocktails, wines and beer.

** Last 4 photos captured using long exposure.

I was driving to college today and something caught my attention. I noticed a Honda CVR with the car plate K8S? Isn't that a Singapore car plate or are my eyes sigh failing me? It can’t be Singapore car plate because it usually starts with a 'S' and not the other way round.

*Scretching my head.*

Any idea which state or country does this car plate belongs to?

Look closer... K8S?

My driving license has officially expired on 4th of June and I’ve been illegally driving with an expired license. Thank goodness I wasn’t stopped by the police after my driving expired. My dad wasn’t free to renew my driving license for me because his master exam was around the corner. So went to renew my driving license during my one week of mid semester break. I tried asking some friends to accompany me there but none of them are available. So, I went there all myself. I went to the JPJ branch at Bukit Bintang Plaza since it’s the nearest to my place. My dad told me to renew my driving license for 5 years but I only had RM100 with me, so ended up renewing for 3 years instead. It took me less than 10 minute to get it done.

The road was clear that morning even though I left at 9. The streets weren’t as busy during weekdays compared to weekends. I arrived at around 10 and didn’t have queue up at all. At that hour, only few shops were opened.

Look, my 'P' sticker!

----------

After that, I walked to Berjaya Time Square for a while to check out Borders Bookstore. Thought I could meet up with my old friend who happened to work there part-time but unfortunately he was off duty that day. Well, I have to agree that the Borders Bookstore was huge. The bookstore occupied 2 floors and has a large range of books installed. Music CDs, VCDs, DVDs, Feng Shui souvenir, stationeries and Starbucks coffee house can be found at the bookstore.

My dearest was requested by a girl to shoot FHM style shoots in a hotel environment for her. So he suggested booking a tastefully decorated and furnished hotel with a reasonable price to shoot at and using me as his model. We went around looking hotels in Cheras and had decided Sri Petaling Hotel. Sri Petaling Hotel is located at Sri Petaling and its 5 minutes drive from my college. I took the Superior Room which cost RM125 per night.

Tastefully decorated and furnished, providing for a cosy atmosphere with the comfort of a king-size or twin beds. Standard features – individually controlled air conditioning, attached hot/cold water shower, 20-inch television with in-house video programme & IDD telephone with data port for Internet connection. Connecting Rooms available for groups or families travelling togeter(upon availability) and non-smoking floor available. – Sri Petaling Hotel

----------

This is how to room look like.

** Last 2 photos taken by Kevin.

APIIT organised an inter-college road relay which was held at Technology Park Malaysia (TPM). APIIT's team have been training for 2-3 weeks before the competition. I was happened to be in the team because the organiser wanted to send 2 representative teams for the competition. We are the reserved team. But it turned out that one of the team members was absent, so only have one representative team was sent for competition.

The rule is that each team will have 5 runners. The first, third and fifth runners have to be men while the remaining are women.

The event started at 8 and ended at 10. Sad to say, APIIT team did not make it to top 3. But it was fun going for training as well as getting to know new friends.

The APIIT team (before the race). Nope, unfortunately I did not ran.

** Picture courtesy of Maurice.

APIIT team warming up before the race.

The other teams were also doing some warm up before the race.

The starting line.

APIIT team, after the race. One of the members was missing when this photo was taken. They all look so sweaty.

Group photo. Everyone that participated in the road relay, including the organiser.

More photos can be found at Kevin’s website.

The sales are back again!!!

*Grin*

I was out shopping again at 1-Utama and was looking for a black sport bra but couldn’t find the colour that I like. Besides, I was low in cash at that very moment as well as this whole month.

I was also looking for a black sandal because my favourite black pair is starting to wear off. I wanted a new sandal, something different from the one I had but ended up buying a similar one because shoes designers aren’t creative enough to come out with something different. The patterns are 100% copied, only the materials are changed! A few stilettos caught my eyes but I was worried that if I wore them for long hours, they might hurt my feet.

So, I decided to pick the one below instead. I think Vinci shoes have improved a lot, in terms of comfort and designs. I remembered those shoes that I bought years ago are just plain pretty but totally uncomfortable to walk in. I wouldn’t say the new ones are 100% comfortable, but they seem better than the ones I bought years ago.

"Sigh. What with girls and shoes, anyway!"

Apparently, this is the smallest size they had.

My dearest was offered to shoot Flamin’ J menu. We were there from 12pm till 7pm. I was pretty bored but managed to occupy myself by surfing the Internet and snapping photos. I even took a nap there. Hehe...

Jason preparing the Big Bertha.

Touching up with some cooking oil to make it look shinny.

The Big Bertha.

Touching up the steak with some cooking oil to make it look shinny.

The Beefsteak.

The next photo was the beefsteak on fire. In order to make the beefsteak burn, Jason poured some brandy on the steak and lights it up. Apparently the flame was blue in colour and what he wanted was a red flame. So, next he tried paraffin. Unfortunately, it failed to burn on the steak. Then my dearest suggested turpentine but he ended up using thinner because his kitchen has one. Both turpentine and thinner are strong solvents. As a result you will get a flaming beefsteak. This product will only be served at Flamin’ J, Sri Hartamas.

NOTE: This is just a photo shoot. Your flaming beefsteak WILL NOT be served with thinner BUT with brandy.

Step one: Pour as much thinner as possible on the beefsteak if you want the flame to be big.

Step two: Light your beefsteak with fire after pouring thinner.

And walah!!! You got yourself a flaming beefsteak.

Step three: Start shooting the beefsteak until the flam goes off. If you want to light up your beefsteak, go back to step one.

The third dish was the lamb stew. Yeah, it’s Jason again, preparing the dish.

Lamb stew. Yum! Yum! Still mine and my deareste favourite.

Preparing the Grilled Alaskan Snowfish for photo shoot.

Grilled Alaskan Snowfish.

The actually products' photos can be found at Kevin’s website.

Over the weekends, many works were carried out by both Technical Assistants and the trainees. Their tasks includes shifting PCs from one lab to another, setting up PCs, packaging old PCs into boxes (to be shifted somewhere else), re-labelling the tables and ghosting the new image to the new PCs.

Although I wasn’t there to help but I heard that they stayed back at college for hours to get everything working. Of course, they get paid by doing so.

All chairs were moved to the syndicate room while the Technical Assistants did the cabling for Lab 4 and Lab 5.

The before and after layout of Lab 4. Lab 4 has divided into 2 sections, which are Lab4A (right) and Lab4B (left). Lab 4 is currently using Lab 1’s previous PCs.

Lab 5 has also been divided into 2 sections – Lab5A (front) and Lab5B (back).

New PCs for Lab1. The PCs are pretty fast because it’s running on 1GB RAM. One problem I encounter while using those PCs is that the IE always crashes whenever I opened too many windows.

I was the room leader for this week ETR and as a room leader I was assigned to creat the image for ETR. Morning class was cancelled so I told my friend that I will be going to college early get some work done and they will have to find their own transportation to college. One of my classmate who is also a Technical Assistant gotten that morning classes so I asked him to help me out at the workshop. There were 3 other Technical Assistants in the workshop creating image for new PCs.

The new PCs are still in the workshop, still packaged in the box.