Update in Progress

It seems I'm now having a habit of updating irregularly- due to a number of obvious factors or otherwise. I guess this month will lack of a real post. *sign*

Anyway, I'll guarantee the next post or two will be a major one which is about my job at my current place and the impact made in my life after a full year working. Yeah, my 1st anniversary of working at Animasia was last month actually :P No celebration what so ever though.

Well, I hope ( like I always do) to make a regular update on this blog after that. So look forward for it ;)

Hisasiburi Dana

Finally getting the mood to blog again. Since the last update, I've either been busy , having a mental block or just plain lazy. Anyway enough of the excuses, since it's pointless. Heh~
Anyway, during the period, my life was having a transition of sorts. And hopefully a turn for the better. Seems my life got too many turns . Like going into circles.

I'm now back in PJ, staying the same place i left behind a year ago. Kinda ironic issit. And got myself a new job now with even more hectic schedule and longer working hours than any job i work on so far. Well, it least the job is within the industry i into.

To be precise, I'm working in Animasia Studio- an animation house specialized in using flash for making animated tv series. Right now, we are in the middle of a big international project with tight deadline. Great timing. Anyway, been working for almost a month now and kinda settled in. But one thing I yet to get used to is the fast working speed on a assigned job. Well, I'm a slow and steady kinda guy and quite worry that this may cost me the job. But still, my colleagues there are kinda supportive which made my day a little less stressful. As long i try a bit hard everyday, I'll think i can improve sooner or later.

Well, it kinda late and I not sure what to write about. But there another posting that i took the time previously to write, right after this post :)

Btw, been playing Cabal Online these days... Care to join me?

Halloween Post

Firstly a Halloween greeting to those zombie, witch and ghoul wannabes out there celebrating. Wow, it marks a begining of the year's end already. Time sure flies...

Anyway, it's been some time since i last posted. Ever since my bro brought my own PC back from my last residence during Raya, i been spending an awful lot of time in front of it. Not playing games, mind you, but honing my digital illustration skill. Still, the process is slow and painsaking (not to mention using a, only available, faulty mouse) but it's sure worth it. This month alone, i've finished 3 artworks. Do view them at my Deviantart page :) The pic featured here is one of them :D

Unfortunately my eyes still 've not get used to staring at the monitor screen for a long period, like it used to (a feat during my collage years). Must' ve been getting old.. lol. Anyway i spent the alternate time sketching and well, watching TV. My mum already complaining i spent too much time on the pc, resulting higher electrical bill- not that i seen this month's bill yet... At least it's better that watching TV all day.

Jobwise, i try not to think and dwell about it to much. Better spent the time and energy doing more positive and productive work- more artworks. I beginning to think myself as a poor artist spending much of his time alone painting in his studio.. lol. If my works is good enough, good offers will surely come. Till then, i ought to improve myself more and try to get more exposure.

Divine Intervention? Or Irritation?

I must been so stupid... Gave up a confirmed job offer for another job which dun really exist... yet. Well, just hear me out.

Weeks ago while i was still a part time sensei, i been to an interview in Singapore for a job as a graphic designer as i mention in a post sometime ago. The interview went quite well, 'cept a bit problem with my expected salary. The highest they can offer was SG$ 1000 which i thought compared to the island's cost of living and the market price of graphic designer (i did my research)- was quite low. Anyway, i went back hometown while the interviewer who happens to be the editor had to discuss with others before confirmation. He promised contact me again the next week.

In the meantime, when my Singapore aunt heard about the news, she was wary about my choice of employer. She immediately lectured me 'bout malay people not being trustworthy and worried 'bout me being accidentally embroiled in some sort of terrorist plot (omg *sweats*). I try to make sense of things and ensure her fear was unfounded. Naturally i was quite dismay 'bout her racist claims and her being paranoid 'bout things. She either dun trust my employer or in me or both. I even got a lecture from my uncle 'bout national security and stuffs later. Talk about "kiasi" (fear of death or trouble). *sweats*

Back home across the strait, my mum brought me to a never-visit-before temple to pray and to get consultation from the deity. It seems a there a famous taoist priest there able to act as a medium for the deities. I scoffed at the idea. I never much of a religious guy and i never like doing all those putting all the joss sticks at every altar in the temple. Too troublesome for me, i guess. But still i do believe in God and for me praying is all about sincerity and nothing else in between. Short and simple.

Anyway, the taoist believe a wide range of gods and pray from all of them. That means a bunch of altars around the temple. What's new and strange for me was there was a small hut which inside lit up with only purple light. This houses the altars for the deities from the underworld. It kinda creepy putting up black coloured joss sticks in this cold (the only aircon room) purple shaded atmosphere. The consultation even took place here... and the deities whom to give consult were from hell itself. My mum explain different nights may have different deities. Some are stern and serious, and other are joyous and friendly- all in one medium. Talk about split personality. I personally witnessed two different characters in two different nights ( i been there twice last month).

It easy been sceptical about this deity from hell ( i kept thinking and referring to those shinigamis in Soul Society of Bleach fame, lol) but I do admit this guy have some sort of psychic-like ability. The advice seems logical and he advise me to take up interior design for a better financial future (like i have to money to take on) . Btw, he seems up to date to modern times and even spoke a few english words. Lol. My mum and little bro was there to be consult too. Mum was for health and finance and my bro was for safety and study- even get a bit of scolding for his disobedient... The priest/deity asked help from a fellow temple friend who was a singaporean to help me to find a better job for me. So now i have a choice.

My mum went there for a few times to get advice to set up a ancestor altar at home for better blessing. As for me, I was waiting at home for confirmation from the malay employer when it finally came. They offer me the job for SG$ 1000 (final figure) and i need to confirm myself for the job. As i was getting ready, my mum back from the temple told me to turn the job down and wait for a better job the temple friend helping to find. Even the priest/deity adviced so. As for myself too hoping for a better paying job in better enviroment and due to both family pressure and the so-called power of suggestion, i turned the job down. I even quit the tiution job. Sigh~

Now being jobless again, i not sure if i made the right choice or being stupid to believe all those things. Still, i can only hope to the sincerity of those people that are really trying to help.

Mid Autumn Blues

Firstly- Happy Mid Autumn Festival or Mooncake Festival as more commonly said. Although it's one often most celebrated chinese holiday in the calender around but still, you wont find my own household celebrating it as well as the years gone by. I just treat it as any other day amidst the mooncakes and those traditional titbits around the house. And no candle lit decos in the perimeter nor those over-commercialized lanterns. Ain't kids anymore. Maybe I dun have anyone who is joyous to celebrate with.. sigh~

Anyway, on a more happy note, I finally got myself an interview appointment across the straits in Singapore. If successful, i got myself a job as a Graphic Designer in an company dealling with educational mag and stuffs. Hopefully i dun mess up this chance. Wish me luck :)

GTO -Great Teachin' Otaku

I'm officially a teacher now... Well, not full time though but a teacher nonetheless.
I'm now teaching on a weekly basic a class of three pre-secondary students on Bahasa Melayu and English in a local tuition center.

The 1st class which was last Monday, was not easy. With my limited mastery of Mandarin, i'm having difficulty explaining the subjects to my Chinese-educated students. Not to mention one of them keep disrupting the class. Plus they are one curious bunch- on my personal stuffs... Sigh~
Anyway, i think i did well on my part. Hopefully....

On another hand, i'll keep on finding a full time job either locally or across the Johor strait. Depending on the situation i might have to quit the sensei job. Hmm. I see how things first. In the mean time, i best prepare for the next class.

9th Month

August came and gone. And now into the month of September. Sigh~
Been almost a month and yet not much has change. No job, no money, no idea... getting lost.
Yeah, hardly any job here since it's small town after all and no one offering any despite my family network of friends. Or so they say. So now, i'm face with a dilemma- continue staying in hometown and waiting for any job offers- locally or from singapore; or go back to KL where it's more malaysian friendly....
And like all choices, there's the pros and cons of all things.

My mum wishes me to work in singapore or locally so that i can be nearer to home. And by staying at home, i dun need spend any money for anything since almost everything is provided (except pc and online). Not that i doing nothing at home, mind you. As any good son or daughter, i did my share of housework and stuffs. The bad part is that i could be waiting forever for work as time pass by wastefully and Singapore may just be too advanced for me.

If i go back to KL to find job, it might be easier but previous problems that made me leave the 1st time may crop up. 1st is the cost of living- family just dun have the money to let me spent in KL. Second, the transportation- some workplaces just inconvenient to reach, unless u own a car or live nearby. And 3rd is maybe my portfolio- just not good enough or just too unspecialize. I'm a jack of all trades but master of none.
Well, just say i not sure what to do now..

On another note, since i have all the time at home, i been working on a story or stories of my own manga. Everything still pretty rough now and not even sure if i can pull it off. Been doing a lot of concept art these days. Just too bad i dun have a decent pc of my own or else thing will be much easier. On another hand, i been working out too for some time. Yeah, i got fatter and lazier so it's wise to start exercising. Hope i can get fitter and better looking by the year end :D

August Independence.... Not

Wow, it been some time yet again since i last updated. This month onwards dun think i able to update as much as the last two months. I've moved back to my Johor home days ago as the result of my unsuccessful job search in Singapore and guess i'll be staying here quite indefinitely. Till i can comfirm a job in Singapore that is.

Being back here i hometown means i dun have a free internet access in ther comfort of my home. So posting number will drop drastically i guess. Worst, without a PC and a scanner- dun think I can upload anything new on my deviantart... sigh~ Here goes my motivation.
On another hand, since i was back on the comfort of my own home, things are more liberal. I free to to things my way without the usual nagging during my stay at Singapore. Hey, i can stay up way past 12am here without anyone tell me when to sleep. I'm Free at last..

Anyway, since i'll staying here quite a while, it's better for me to look for a temporary job lest i got fat and lazy sitting at home. And guess what, i got an interview for an art tutor tomorrow. Yeah, it's only an interview but it's better than nothing.. So wish me luck.
By the way, Malaysia and Singapore both having their National Day this month. So Happy Birthday~~

Art tutor? Me?

11 Days Later

I've been on Singapore soil for more than a week now and i've settle down pretty much. And things seem to be getting better :)

I been doing some traveling late due to my job interview tasks that take me around the country. Well, mostly. I've travel to places like Bugis, Tanjung Pagar and Changi. What can i say, public the transport system here is really efficient, well much more that my home country.

I've also check out the vicinity around my current house, and found out some nice place to hang out in. Some shopping mall, cineplexes, food center and even a place i can borrow and buy some manga related stuffs. Too bad i havent spot any cyber cafe around here. Maybe the market for one is not quite good.

Now i really wish to buy a camera, there are places that make a great postcard or at least to post some nice ones here. Well, maybe i will borrow my cousin one :) Feeling like a tourist already :P

Anyway, kinda miss my place in PJ too, my own PC especially. I can do alots of artworks if i have my own PC with me here. Sigh~ wanna do some digital art. Cant really do it here, not really convenient to download every thing i want in my cousin's PC. Hope i got mine soon. But not likely, i think.

Jobwise, i've only been to 2 interviews. Haha, i know. It's kinda little. But then again, most of the job have requirements that i cant meet with. Like Adobe Indesign or 3D Studio Max, i not really familiar with them. I rather find a job i have confident to work with. Hope i'll land on to one ASAP.

Well, i be going back hometown in Johor, one, to renew my staying duration in Singapore and second, to refresh myself at the comfort of my own place. And to pack more clothes too.

The Interview

I went for my 1st job interview yesterday and it seems doesnt went as well as i thought it would be. Kinda nervous during the process and the different approach of the interview took me off guard. Sigh~

For my 1st interview in the Lion City, i have to travel to Tanjung Pagar, an southern part of the island. Good thing about Singapore is its public transport which pretty much covers the whole country and quite hassle free too. I able to arrive at the tanjung pagar station without much trouble.

Anyway the trouble starts here. There i was having much difficulty finding the street where the shop (if hired, i will be working as a graphic artist) situated. I was lost in a seemly vast city and quite overwhelmed by the busy seas of people. Heck, even KL is not as hectic as here. I was standing there figuring where the heck am i while looking at the map book i brought which proved quite useless. I pretty much going around in circles for about half an hour. Guess it better to ask for direction. Ask and be enlighten.

Thanks to an uncle i finally get my bearings right. Seems i overlook a seemly small street just ahead from where i started *sweats*. Lo and behold, Amoy Street. What interesting a bout this street is that there's a really big food center in the middle and by the time i was there, it was lunchtime. Can i say horde of white collar workers. And another thing is, it seems the place is one of the tourist attractions in Singapore. There is an old temple, a hill park and old shophouses with a modern day twist. Hope i will show what it really looks like with some pics soon.

After lunch (still early), i went for my interview. First thing it caught my eyes, is its window displays. The shop is specialize in printing which is mostly name cards. I look at the displayed design and thought there nothing that i cant handle here. Confidence blooming, i walked into the shop. After some time the interviewer showed up and just tossed some forms for me to fill. As i look around, i seems quite "alienated" Just say i'm not comfortable around office full of dolled up women. And it doesnt help the situation when i suddenly have a stomachache. Finished and handed over the form, the lady interviewer ask me to perform a simple test which is redesign a simple namecard from a sample. Okey, looks simple but with my stomachache in full gear i have to ask for a toilet break from the interviewer beside me.

How embarassing, i thought. I looks stupid too. Anyway with a reminded time limit, i trying best redesigning the card without much concept in mind. Duh, it's been some time since i used Illustrator CS, need time to relearn somewhat. The interviewer just took just short look at the monitor and inform me they will call me if i am hired. Guess it's over. I offered my portfolio cd to her to look but she declined.. not very sure why. Anyway i can only pray i'll get the job. I sure i did the test quite well. I think.. Need to remind myself not eat anything spicy again.

Hey June....... From Singapore

Welcome to Singapore, as quoted by Chow Yuen Fatt's character in the newest Pirates of The Caribbean movie (not that i watch it anyway), when i walked past the custom checkpoint in Woodlands before boarding the bus to the Kranji MRT station.

I was following my aunt from her home in JB and will be staying with my relative's at the much heard Ang Mo Kio in the heart of the city state. First thing that came to mind when lugged my luggage up the crossover was the street was not as clean as i thought. Well, from where i stand then i saw cigarette butts and a bit of plastic everywhere.... far from the notorious cleanliness image that the country trying to project.

As the my handphone's DiGi roaming service kicked in moments ago, i phoned home telling my mum that i safely arrived at my relative's home. So i will be staying the 1 of the flats quite indefinitely from now.

Lunchtime and my relatives show me around the community. There are park and a lots of greenery around the flats and commercial area nearby (food center and rows of shoplots). Much to my hidden delight, i noticed McDonald’s just at a end of one corner *sniggers*

Best of all, i have free access to my cousin's pc and the fast internet service, yeah. Well, i haven't forget my priority of finding a job here and the net made my job easier. But then, my uncle in law told me to settle down first before doing anything else (much of my 1 hour+ conversation with him revolving how good singapore is, lol). Well, i think i've slow down too much....

Anyway, there a lot of things i still ignorant about Singapore policy and stuffs and i have to settle down fast. Wish me luck and good bye Malaysia.

Pause For A Moment

It's been a week staying and resting in hometown, almost doing nothing productive.. sigh~
Yeah, my passport has done a few days ago. Still, there a lot of things i in the dark about. Not very sure what job will my mum's friend's son recommend about. All i know is that it is animation related job.

Anyway, there's nothing for me to do in the house except to just wait. Really wish i can bring my pc with me. At least i can add something more in my current portfolio. It was so bored doing nothing at home for the past week. *groan*

I wonder if i'm good enough for Singapore's standard. Not very confident about the whole thing. It's a 1st world country after all. Gonna feel like fish out of water.. lol

Moving To Greener Pasture.... Maybe.

After so many attempts getting a job around the Klang Valley, i think is time for me to try my luck somewhere else. I'm think move back to Johor and start to find a job in Singapore.
Haha, you know, my mom been pestering me with the idea on getting Singapore dollars and better chance over there, an idea which i always turned down.

I always make, " If i cant find a job here, what makes i can get one there?" excuses. Guess I got tired. Anyway i still lingering about it, havent decide when i will depart for good.

Will miss everything here.

May This Month Brings New Fortune

So it's already May.
Sigh~ i now at my wit's end already. I been going around hoping to land myself on a decent paying job. Anyway hope i dont have to wait too long for employment. My optimistic is nearing its limit. So is my brother constant nagging. Not that i choose to be jobless *cries*

Two Weeks More

Sigh~ 2 weeks more and thats the end of April. Given my current situation, i not sure i can survive another month without a job.


Gaaargh!!


Anyway, i still lookin forward to May cos the result of my Spiderman character design will be publish in Gempak 1st of May edition. By the way here's my design.

I called him- Spiderman Ghost. The custom he's wearing is a bio armour capable of camouflage and producing bio-electric webbing (rather familiar with some other char :P).

Too bad i didnt colour it but i afraid i might ruin it. Hope for the best :)

Fooling Around April

On contrary to the title above, i not fooling around. Instead it's God who play a monkey out of me. 4th month aready and i still unemployed. Really not sure wat went wrong.

For past weeks, i been attending a few job interviews, all seems promosing. Alas, till now i havent get any answer from any of them. Damn disappointing >_<

As for my comic competition, not much in progress. I find it hard to draw anything right now. Hopefully i able to make in on 30th June deadline. Sigh~

Guess i better pen off now. Not sure wat to write anymore. The pc i'm using now was choke full of viruses. Better log off lest it even infect my pendrive >.<

End of March 07

It's been a while. I've been meaning to update a post during the past days when i get online but at the same time i dont feel like posting anything. Well, stupid excuses aside, there also a bit a of a problem accesing my account in the cyber cafe i usually go to. Sigh~

So what to update.. since i've been MIA for weeks :P
For starter, i still unemployed. Dunno why i still picky with the jobs these days. Maybe a part of me hate those graphic designer kinda jobs. Mostly long working hours with little pay. Still, i not sure what else i can do for a living. Sigh~

I recently sent an artwork for a local comic magazine, Gempak. It was actually a character design competition in conjunction of the Spiderman 3 movie. So obviously i have to create my own version of Spiderman. The grand prize is Sony Erricson handphone (forgot the model type) while the 2nd place's prize a PSP. Not too keen 'bout the third though- a 3 months free gym workout *sweats*
I dun have the drawing with me now but i'll be sure to load it up here soon. Wish me luck :D

On another related topic , I plan to join a major comic drawing contest (also by Gempak) in the coming months. Still, i have trouble drawing anything... Always end up erasing watever on the paper. Guess i loosing my touch here *cries*

Till next time then.

Into Damansara Perdana and Back

I went for a job interview at Damansara Perdana yesterday. Ya, again at that place. Still remember I went there for the 1st time last year..... also on a job interview.

So I went there again. And got ripped off by a taxi. This guy demanded extra RM3 on top the price showed on the meter (suspected also been tampered with) . Sigh~ no choice then. I run out of time.Well, the place now is more livelier than last time since most of the shops are up and running.

So I sent straight for the interview. After some time searching for the shoplot (stupid developers cant even place the road's name right) I finally found the company *sweats* OK, it another advertising company specialize in doing television commercials and other related stuffs. Small company big clients like TV3, NTV7 and even BMG (if i not mistaken, lol) Anyway, i been interviewed by a lady producer who have no qualms smoking in front of me.... Err, i was like do you mind but i rather keep my mouth shut. lol

Well, after the interview, i felt i was not really keen about the job since it require for me to work long hours for almost every day (that included weekends) and rather inconvenient public transportation to the place. Sigh~ guess no work this month.

Since it have no public bus going into this place (hell, no taxi ever again) i had to hike a good 10 minutes or so to Ikano. Wow, that place is decorated to the brim with CNY stuff especially in The Curve... All pink and full of plum blossom trees along the walking path ( so like sakura trees). Best to took some nice pics with.. ( too bad i have no camera *sob*) Brought some books and had lunch there (A&W, Ikano LG floor, yum~)

Got back home later in the evening... tired but gain some insight of things *grin*

Mundane Week of January

Sigh~ the week passed by without anything interesting.
Spent most of my time playing pc games and doing some artwork... Begining to think whether it will be the same cycle next week.. hope not.

By now i shud got my result from an interview last monday... They say they will answer by yesterday. Coincidently yesterday was a public holiday lol. Maybe i shud wait till tomorrow. Just be hopeful and optimis as always.

Well, that all for this post... Cant think much to write about.

Back for The New Year 2007

Yowza~!!
First post of the year, lol.
Meant to post some (lots, more likely) earlier but due to some unforseen circumstances- taiwan earthquake, going back hometown etc etc, i unable to do so.

Anyway, a quick update.

• New House- we pretty much settled in. Up till now, everything seems ok. There some stuffs that still in the boxes... not sure where to unpack to. And we still not familiar with its exact address. Need to memorize it soon.

• Work- I've been laid off last month. So i back to being unemployed status lol. Actually i have expected it since i literaly gave up on the job on the 3rd month... only to held on it longer due to the the money :P Anyway, hope i will have a better job sooner or i will repeat last year's problem again T.T

• Friends- Nothing much to write about. Only hope to arrange a supper with those who live at where i lived previously soon. And to make up with a misunderstood friend i mention last time.. :)

• Family- I went back hometown for a few days. Still not much to talk with my mum openly though. As with my siblings, still ok. Well, life goes on since the passing of my grandpa, everything seems going back to normal. And I seems to gotten older looking how my baby cousin grow. Still as kawaii as ever lol.
  

• Others- Life without constant connection to the net was hard this past few days. So i make myself busy playing pc games and watching anime :P Aih, gotto look for work too. Really getting bored.

I think thats about it, i think :P Hard to think what to write about with all the noise around me (in a cybercafe now). Still, i try to update as often as possible this year. Even with all the things happened at the start of the new year, I still believe 2007 will be a far better year. To all, Happy Belated New Year~~!
Cheers :)