Taxes!!

Nearing the month of April/May, it's time for taxes. This year is the first year that I'll be taxed but my salary is below 2500 so in the end I don't need to pay anything. I got my EA form from the company and my dad say I should open a tax file and do my filling even though I need not pay. Two options to get my tax file opened:

First method, go to the tax offices and do it manually. It's located in several places as I've heard but I really don't want to go through the trouble of driving there, finding a parking space and looking for the office. Therefore I proceed to option 2. :P

Second method is to do it online and the website is http://ekl.hasil.org.my/. I have to send in an application to open a tax file and get a pin number to do my filling online. The website is in Bahasa Malaysia and everything in the form is in malay. There were many options for how they should address you:

I wonder what will happen if I were to put Datin :p.

The funniest one was status:

I was wondering how the dead is able to send in an application , I know it can be done by family members but I didn't know the deceased still had to pay taxes >.<

In times like this....

Well another week went pass and I still have no project, but it's not too bad because it gave me the chance to continue my learning. Since I have been back I've been doing some Java online training provided from the company, it certainly refreshed my memory of Java. When I ran out of Java I started reading e book on C# 2008 as my knowledge in this subject is kinda minimal. I managed to learn quite a bit, still I have more to learn and more practices to do. C# is similar to Java because of it being OO but in syntax wise, it's totally different, still it's not too hard to pick up. I am looking forward to chapters that will teach me new stuff like WPF, ASP.Net, windows app and many more.

All this crisis really got me thinking a lot, especially in the area of self improvement. The march advancement program promotes were out few days ago and I wasn't included of course. I know why and I have a good grasp which area I need to improve on. One of the feedback that was given to me is related to professionalism and maturity. I have to admit at times I definitely did not act mature enough and sometime I did not communicate professionally. Communication and social skills is definitely important these days, I've seen many people do well in college because of their social skills, doing well in work also. These skills can help you get what you want sometimes, like a better discount or better deals. This is what I lack of and it's what I need to work on.

Thus in my process of improving I have gotten two books to help on this area, "How to talk to Anyone" and also "How to win friends and influence people". I have only started reading the 1st chapter for one of the books, and it's interesting to read what the writer obtained from all his research and analysing. I think the hard part would be executing, some people are born with it and I would be those who need to cultivate it. A good thing that ties to communication is judging people and reading body language because with those you will know what is the proper thing to say. But I think a person who is good at it can convince anyone without judging too much.

This is definitely the time for me to grow in areas of personality that I'm weak of and to further improve my IT skills. Time is embark on a journey of obtaining more knowledge.

Slowing down...

My work life has been slowing down so so much to the point where I'm practically useless in the company. I have been on the bench since January till today, all the while waiting for a new project being assigned to me. It's not like I'm picky choosing what projects I want, it's just that there are many more people sitting on the bench, I estimate more than 30. The office has been packed with people since I got back here. Things just keep getting worse I guess, two weeks ago there was a meeting with the HR and only selected people got the email as some of my colleagues were excluded.

That really made me worried, the email came on a Friday and the meeting was on the following Monday, imagine all the worrying on the weekends where you're suppose to rest and relax. Before the meeting started there have been rumours circulating here and there, some say those people were not good performers, some even thought of the words lay off. It really gave me the shivers. Finally the meeting came and it was addressing the current state of the company. Since there was too many people on the bench, the company's productivity went down, hence we're not doing so well. Those that were in the room are forced to clear their annual leaves till 0 days were left.

It sucks that I'm unlucky to be on the bench and having to clear 8 days of leave one shot. Even though I was on leave for the last two weeks, I was just slacking at home doing nothing, sigh :(. It's going to be my third month on the bench and I can't help but keep praying that I will have a new project soon.

Breaking Dawn

The final book of this vampire saga, "Breaking Dawn". This book is definitely the best out of the four books written. Excitement while reading is from the start till the end. While I was reading, I was captured into the book's world, whoever who tried to talk to me couldn't get my attention at all. So where we let off? At the end of the third book, it was about Jacob running away, he couldn't accept the fact that Bella is going to get married and he has to let go of her.

So the fourth book starts off where Jacob has been gone for awhile and he is still reluctant to go home. Bella's wedding day is happening soon and there is much to prepare, but one night before the wedding, Bella had a weird dream, it concern a baby and the Volturi. The wedding was fabulous and Jacob showed up to dance with her. That's really unexpected because Bella never thought that she'll see him again. After the wedding, their off to honeymoon, it was a special place at down South (Brazil), it was definitely a romantic getaway.

The result of the wedding is definitely exciting which I shall not disclose and then the book heads off to Jacob's side of the story. It has about 10 chapters or more giving us readers the story on Jacob's view, a good approach because it keeps us pondering a bit what happened to Bella. At the end of Jacob's side, he has finally imprinted on Bella's baby girl. Most of Jacob's story is about Bella's prenancy experience, how he reacted to it and how he helped.

Then we're back to Bella's story after she has given birth, it seems like she was dead at Jacob's point of view but if it were like that then we wouldn't have anything to read on. Bella's story begins where she is changed to a vampire because giving birth was killing her and that was the only way that Edward could save her. We venture into her life as a newborn vampire and her new life with her daughter Renesmee aka Nessie. At the end we have Bella discovering her new skills and also the danger the Cullens face and they've made it with the help of other vampires. We discover more vampires and their special abilities.

This book definitely was unexpected to me because I didn't know what was to come. It would be interesting if they really make movies out of this book because I want to know what would be excluded from the book. I'm currently waiting to watch the Twilight DVD, see what will my disappointment will be.

Eclipse

The third book of the vampire saga, "Eclipse". I managed to finish this book within 3-4 days, it's much more interesting compared to the first two books and also thicker. Stephenie Meyer outdo herself compare to the other books. This book continues on what happens after Edward is back and how Bella deals with her relationship with Jacob. It's definitely a challenge for her since vampires and wolves don't get along. Edward does not think that it's safe for her and vice versa for Jacob.

Bella is finishing high school soon and she is really anxious on what's to come. Worrying about the Volturi too, she has to become a vampire soon. The romance for the book has definitely become better, Edwards is much more protective and Jacob is trying to convince Bella that he is a better choice for her than Edward. The rivalry is definitely funny to read about.

The twist of the story is the attacks in Seattle is related to vampires, the missing people, increase rates in deaths, all the doings of a vampire or so The Cullen's thought. It will definitely surprise you on what's to come next. More character's past are revealed, more mysteries for you to think about. This book keeps tying your attention and you don't want to put it down for sure.

I definitely enjoy this book more than the previous two, we get to know more about the wolves's history, discover new feelings, imagine new fights. It's a must read to know more bout Bella's love and life.

Happy Ox Year!! Happy Chinese New Year!!

Gong Hei Fatt Choi (cantonese), Gong Xi Fa Chai (mandarin), the greetings you'll hear from everyone who celebrates CNY. Yes it's that time of the year, where chinese gather with their family members and celebrate a new year in the chinese calendar. I'm currently back in Johore, was at my grandma's place this morning. I went to the temple with my aunt and uncle too.

So here I am posting my wishes, here goes:

May the year of the Ox brings you good health, wealth, good luck, many new friends, happiness and a good day everyday!!


Time to sleep, long day tomorrow, going to go back my mum's hometown. Have fun!!

New Moon

After finishing the 1st book in 3 days, I carry on with the second book, "New Moon".When you finished the 1st book and you read that Bella and Edward are together, you'll be thinking what more can I get from the second book? They already have a happy ending, what else is waiting for them?

Well do continue if you want some spoilers. So from where we left off, it was prom, so the book started on a new school year, they don't exactly mention much on dates, so you'll have to estimate it. It's time to celebrate Bella's birthday although she wasn't keen on it. Something happened at her celebration and this is where the story took a big turn. Edward and family have left and disappeared, it cause Bella tons of devastation and 4 months passed.

Then a new friendship begins, Jacob Black and Bella Swan. From Book 1, we know that Jacob adores Bella, most guys do and get rejected by her. So Bella and Jake hang out and became good friends, but Jake wanted more than that, but Bella only loves Edward. So the climax, a vampire from book 1 came back to hunt Bella, that's when a pack of wolves showed up. I won't say who they are but you can have a good guess. Bella figured it out, and she hung out with them while getting protection from the wolves. Vampire vs wolves, it has always been like that.

So what had happened to the Cullens? Just as I was thinking that the story is coming to a bore just on Bella and Jacob, someone came to visit. It was Alice, I won't say why. Alice and Bella rushes somewhere after Alice having a vision and so it goes on. A lot of excitement there, new characters entering the story. The Volturi enters and we get to read a bit on them.

If I were to compare this book with the first, I prefer the first book. But the climax for second book is much more exciting and unexpected compared to the first. Introducing more characters to the story definitely gave it more hype. Other than that, more mysteries are revealed, relationship developed. Stephenie Meyer did a great job with the second book, the excitement I get from reading reminds me when I was reading Harry Potter, the same feeling, wanting to know more and more, keep on reading.

Twilight

When I first saw this book in the stores I was curious because it had an interesting cover, just a pair of hands holding an apple and also an intriguing title, Twilight. So I bought it, wrapped it up nicely and left it at my bookshelf. For months it sat there, probably 3-4 months, in the mean time I was reading "Heroes: Saving Charlie". When the movie was out, only did I realise it was made into a major motion picture, but I didn't get the chance to watch it, will wait for the DVD though. There fore I decided to pick up the book and read it before watching. I like to see how well the book was implemented in the movie. I was really disappointed at Harry Potter movies, there were many parts that are worth being shown but not found in there.

Stephenie Meyer did a good job describing the characters, therefore I have a good image of how they look like. I already know that this book is about a vampire love saga because of the summary. It's almost similar to the tv series Angel, vampire who is good and kills other demons and vampires. But of course our heroine is not like Buffy, she is just an ordinary girl who fell in love with a vampire. Vampires in this book is different, they are not the typical turn to dust under the sun vampires. Nor are they the type that is afraid of garlic and crosses.

You see they go to school, that how Bella met Edward. Not because he was looking for a prey and he fell in love with her. Nope, they are classmates in a biology class. Now Edward ignores her acts weird with her, that triggered her to find out what's wrong with him. The interesting parts thus begins with her curiosity. I would say that the book is partly predictable, as you can tell what's coming for the starting of the story and somewhat into the middle.

Well the climax is what's got me reading on and on, many of the mysteries and questions in your head are likely to be revealed. It's definitely unexpected and fresh, compared to other books from this genre (fantasy and love). It circles around family, friends and love. There isn't action such as fighting, because a typical fantasy book will have it. I put it in the fantasy side because it involves monsters that are not real. In the end, you'll figure how the title ties to the book.The good thing of this book is the writer builds the characters really well, a bit of mystery and some clues to get you guessing. I would definitely recommend this book for reading before watching the movie, because the movie might give a bad impression to discourage people to read.