Funeral for a Friend

Daniel Ng,

1980 -2012

Yesterday, I received a message from my Blackberry Messenger Group, that a comrade of ours, from the days of Victoria Institution Cadet Corps Band, Retired Warrant Officer II, Daniel Eng, passed away. Without noticing, tears were racing down my cheeks. I have not seen the man for 13 years. But the feeling knowing he is somewhere in Singapore, gave me false comfort.

Daniel to my batch, was not only a comrade in the Corps, he was a tutor, a companion, a cheer leader, a very kind hearted man. The Drum Major of our Corps, he touched our souls with his friendship, his kindness and best of all, his honesty. A man full of laughter, always seeing the positive sides of everything. He was very special to me. He basically recruited me to join the band. We were peers, we got beaten up together, marched together, learned our bass solos together and by the end of the parade, we will walk home together, sharing views and hopes for the band. He played the Sousaphone, I played the Bass Trombone

A man ahead of his time, loved by many friends, respected by fellow bandsmen and feared by other bands' Drum Major. Some said he was too fat to be the Drum Major, well, he proved them wrong. He stood tall, with the mace in his left arm, and the pipers cape to seal his deal.

He was attacked by stroke, in Singapore. I rallied up my batch, and we decided to meet up on 3rd of March. I hope I can see all of them, death ironically, brings people together. Life is to be cherished, will death, is just another step in our journey.

Daniel, I know you can read this, I am missing you buddy. I'd give the world if I can just hear you nagging me about not polishing my boots, or how my hair is too long to be one of the officers. I thank you for your friendship, and I value your advise. I still can remember the path we took to Klang Bus Stand, after parades. I envy you and your rock hard spirit, your positive thinking and your majestic presence in front of the bandsmen. My life wouldn't be the same. and I am not sure how I am going to hold my tears when I meet the rest of the gang next week. Rest easy buddy.

This is Retired Sergeant Jimmy Najib, signing off.

I resigned

Today, 31st January 2012, I resigned, after almost three years with Malaysia's well renowned GLC, which focus on palm oil plantations as its core business. I got another offer from another company, with better package and learning experience. At first, before floating the letter to my boss, I was doubting myself. You see, here in my current company, we have damn loyal staffs who serve the Group for 38 years. Let me spell it out for you, thirty eight freakin years. Makes you wonder doesn't it?

At first, when I joined the Group, I was thinking, this is the place that I want to retire. This is the place that I want to devote my career to. This is he place, I want to grow old with. I was wrong. Politics here is like daily hurricane. Casualties everyday. The gap between the staffs and the management team are indescribable, especially in the terms of daily wage etc. That, and the fact that once you are good at doing something, you will be stuck there doing the same thing for eternity. Well, at least until they can find single attractive girls to replace you, which you will have to train, for no reason. This is a common with male managers, once they let the dick do the thinking for them. Classic example; a senior exec lays out a manpower planning in front of a General Manager, asking for his feedback. Astoundingly, the GM asked back the poor guy," What's your opinion on it?" Yep, that's the dick talking all rite. And this guy manages the most profitable arm of the Group. What a joke.

Well, I don't what to sound like a sour grape. I learned a lot of things, succeeded in lots of projects and most importantly, I managed to meet lots of young, honest talented people. These people in my opinion, pushes the lifeline of the Group, but not recognized as the management teams cant see them riding their motorbikes or driving their old Wiras from their Beemers' dashboard. Cant blame them 100%. These people, made lots of things possible, and the dinosaurs of the Group watch in envy. Life is simple. Evolve or die. I went to one of the offices today, and to my dissapointment, after countless of application to join them, they still hire skirts there, for at least 80% of the new hirings.

The company that I am going, is located further from my place. Its smaller in operations scale. But hey, it offers me something that my current place can't; new learning experience. Well, the money is good too , chuckles.Sure, its not as shiny as the current company, but I believe people make the brand. Not vice versa.

So I will be reporting for duty on the 1st of March. This will be my fourth job. I give myself 2 years to learn everything, before I make my next move. Actually my notice period is three months, but since the next company is ready to pay my notice period, well, it is going to be a quick shortcut for me then. Plus February is a short month. Well, what ever it maybe, I will as usual, blend it, respect the culture, recognize possible allies and get up close and personal for possible, 'adversaries' Life as I see it, goes on..

MC today boss

On mc today. I fell down last couple of days while shopping in my town's night market. Managed to injure the ribs. Sighs.

Got an email from the HK folks, around 2a.m Seriously what are they trying to pull here? Nobody works late like that. Anyways no plans this week, we will see how life drifts us later.

Uh hello thar!

Well, it really has been sometime since I have updated this thing. Just got a good increment, thanks boss. My wife is now a trainee teacher. Life is all good alhamdulillah. I am not with the HR folks anymore, I am more into customer relationship now. Am enjoying my work so far.

Update????

This thing needs an update.. when I find the time..

Kept you wwwaiting huh?

Its been a while since I updated this thing. A lot off movement happened in my place.Am going to lose my buest buddy Gopi, who is going to be transferred to an Estate. All the best for the guy, while I still continue my life in the same place. The boss now reduced my weight, from 2 divisions, now I manage only one. Thank God. But I do know his reasons. Later.

Happy 53rd Independance Day Malaysia