Farewell #3 – Sen Tsuru

On March 28, 2011, in English, Life style, Life style | Food, My work, by Kok mING

Farewell post again. Japanese food again! It seems like never ending? You must be wondering how many time I quit my job in order to get these farewell lunches and dinner…

This time, we landed into Sen Tsuru in Kota Damansara. Japanese restaurant offer “eat all you can” package. There are more than 70 dishes and it only prepare upon your order! :xd:

 

IMG_9937.png IMG_9952.png IMG_9943.png IMG_9957.png

 

You can order unlimited dishes throughout the dinner period. The food are delicious and fresh!

We had like 20 servings of sashimi. Even though we keep ordering but the waiter never delay our order.

IMG_9976.png IMG_9966.png

IMG_9968.png IMG_9963.png

 

And you can see… my lovely colleagues let me to have all left over dishes. How good! :hahaha:

IMG_9969.png IMG_9992.png

 

It was a fun and satisfying dinner. The environment is nice, food are tasty and staffs are friendly.

If you love Japanese food, you must pay this a visit. The buffet cost RM44.99 ++ !

 

Address:
B-G 01, Block B, Jalan Persiaran Surian Palm Spring@Damansara,
47810 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor MY

TEL:
+(6)03-7801 5562

 

Just had my second farewell lunch with colleagues at Yuzu Japanese Restaurant in KLCC. It was a satisfying lunch. Yeah! When you get to enjoy good food without spending your own money. That’s double satisfying! Thank you Andy and Shin Shin! :xd:

The restaurant is serving good quality japanese food. You must be shouting that I am crazy for still eating japanese food after the power plant explosion… …

I have no comment on the environment or interior design for Yuzu.

I’d give very high score for the food served! Although the price tag is a little higher than the usual but it worth the pay!

I ordered a Unagi Gozen set woth Rm48 and look at it. It worth the price, at least it stuffed me well! :hahaha:

The Unagi serves on top of hot stone with sizzling sounds when it arrive in front of it! It definitely sounds very tasty! One thing to note that the fresh wasabi taste sweet!
UnagiGozen.png


While I am had unagi, Andy and Shin Shin order saba fish set lunch. It taste good too.

SabaSet2.png
SabaSet1.png

I will bring my wife and visit this restaurant for the unagi~

Here with the details of the restaurant.

Restaurant: Yuzu Japanese Restaurant
Address: Suria KLCC, Ramlee Mall, 4th Floor.
Tel: 603-2161 4176
Fax: 603-2161 4169
Business Hours: 11.30 am to 10.00 pm

 

Getting a new job is like having a new love

On March 15, 2011, in English, My work, by Kok mING

I love my job – this is true every time when I got the new one. If you have never work or change a job, it is not  hard to understand too. It is similar to getting a new love. I never say that I hate my ex, but of course, I couldn’t be too greedy to hoard everything… At a time, I can have only one love, I have the responsibility to ensure no disaster due to my decision.

New love always tends to be better and more tender at first. Same goes to new job, you get to enjoy the better pay, benefit or perks which ever satisfy your endless desires…

As time goes on, you will start to discover more and more negative elements of your new love. It start with comparing your ex and the new love… later time, we will manage to forget about the history with ex(s) and start to compare with others. Let the time ticks further, here comes the turning point… “why do other has better love than mine?!”

The above, it may not represent all men thoughts but at least mine. Luckily I got married to my lovely wife so I have to stay loyal and I never need a change.

Fortunately, I do not need to marry my job(or the employer). So I still have my chance to change… Personally, I do not like change, it takes way too much of my time to get a chance. But, sometimes, we goes into a difficult situation, it is like my love wants to stay single but I want to get married. We keep buying time for ourselves to convince other to listen to us. Although we knows it won’t work out but we still try our very best… After a long time, we start to realize that changing each other may not be good because they will no longer be themselves. Then it is the time, we learn and consider about let go the love. Because the directions split path, we have no choice to leave and start a new relationship which hopefully can be long term yet satisfying. And the cycle keep going until you are old enough to stop it.

To whom, you have the same thought, I am happy to be your friend because we share this common feeling. Leave me a comment, if you are keen to discuss or share your point of view.

Tagged with:  

Site updates.

On March 6, 2011, in English, General, Site, Site | Announcement, by Kok mING

Finally, my blog is back to business!

This blog was forcefully shut down by my previous webhost due to DDOS attack… and I don’t understand why they have to put the blames to my blog. I am not the one who launch the attack and innocent… Furthermore, as a customer, I offered my expertise to help them but they still choose to kick me out from their server. Brilliant – I like it!

After some searching and comparison, I landed in Regs.net. This webhost is 75% cheaper than my previous host. Although I selected the lowest package (RM20/year) but the admin/support is still very fast in responding my email. He deserves a credit here! Since the hosting cost dropped drastically, financially, the life time of this blog is extended triple!!! Smile

I’ve joined the WordPress community too… If you noticed, previously I was running on dasBlog – an ASP.NET blog engine. Since Linux hosting is cheaper and WordPress is so much more mature engine, so I switched. The conversion took like 1 hours to complete, I saved my posts and your comments during the conversion too!

Generally, I’ve got the blog up and running with nice theme, ads unit and Google Analytics.

Leave me a comment if you find anything missing or incorrect.

That’s all for now.

Cheers!

 

Job Hopping

On January 15, 2011, in English, General, General | Discussion, My work, by Kok mING

Is this person a job hopper?


This seems to be a common question where people start looking into a resume which written with a lot of working experiences and companies he/she worked for.


Should or shouldn’t hire such person?


I had this discussion with my wife during one of the after work journey. She is a recruiter and she has her point of view of job hopper. Not to deny that job hopper has a bad reputation in general perspective. But why it is bad? I think the answer is easy to tell, if you are a hiring manager who looking for loyal yet committed employees, you would stay away from people who often change their job.


In my opinion, I used to think that all job hoppers are bad. But after some thoughts, I have different point of view. In this highly dynamic job market, companies are looking for capable people. Capable people mean the one(s) that can do the work but not sit permanently in his/her position watching other people do their work. It is not surprise that a capable person may keep changing job in order to do what he do best for the sake of best career path.


When you are gaining more knowledge and think you could have done better in other places, then you start looking for job. Are you a job hopper?


If you are getting bored with what you are doing and would like to try something new in other company. Then you start looking for a job. Are you a job hopper?


Generally, it is very vague to debate on the definition of job hopper.


Every market are form based on supply and demand. The job market is no exception of the golden rule. If you are capable, and you can get 6 jobs in 3 years. I would have say you are a very talented person in job searching instead of job hopper.


The hiring process does not initiate and end by the job seeker. An employee are always a job seeker, he/she can always change job. For mutual benefits, the company shall always prevent this event to happen. It is because there is always a cost/effort to replace a trained personnel if he/she quit the job. Instead of training a new person, why not try to discuss with the person how to work out a solution that benefit both parties.


In case, the employee always wants to try new environment with no reason or endless desire on salary and perks which makes themselves to keep switching job. Then I would say this kind of people has least demand in the market. But can he / she be categorized as a job hopper?


Do we still need to discuss who is job hopper and actual market definition of it? 🙂


Generally, if you are an employee as long as you get what you want and do what you do best. If you are the hiring manager and you hire highly capable person to do the job and able to retain this person. Do not feel bad if you change job or unable to retain any person from leaving, it is because there are many things are beyond our control.


Leave me a comment if this thing interests you!

 

Levain

On October 8, 2010, in English, Life style, Life style | Food, by Kok mING

I just got back from the Levain and wanted to share with you that this is a nice place that serves tasty and good quality bread!

In fact the price is above the average but by paying a bit more than usual, you get quality food! Freshly baked bread! 😀

My mistake again… I brought my camera but the battery gone flat after a few photos… so… there are not much to show you.

Regardless the photo, I’d recommend you to try the bread! I’ve had the best Croissant that I ever eat! There are so many choices over there and the environment is really nice too!

It is located right beside Fukuya and parking is really a headache… and you better reach there early because it will be very crowded during lunch time…

LeVain Boulangerie Patisserie
No. 7 Jalan Delima, Off Jalan Imbi,
55100 Kuala Lumpur
 

  

 

Amsterdam – Netherlands 2010

On September 23, 2010, in English, Life style, Life style | Travel, by Kok mING

Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands with impressive architecture and lovely canals that live within the city. We stopped there for 2 days for Tulips, Windmill and of course to experience the night life of Amsterdam too! Also, this is our last destination in Europe for this trip…

Our first stop in Amsterdam is Keukenhof, the Tulips garden! Beautiful flowers and places! The most colourful place that I visited during my trip. Awesome garden and I believe in Malaysia, I could not find a place like this! A must visit if you are in Amsterdam.

 

   

 

The next day, we went to search for windmills! That’s also one of my objective to extend my trip in Amsterdam… But I am kind of disappointed when I saw only 4 “live” windmills … and the weather is definitely is challenging my photoshooting skill too… 🙁

 

   

One important thing, I must tell you. If you plan to take train to travel within Netherlands, you better know the different type of trains because some are not meant to stop every station… Also not everything is written with the English that we learned…

Within my blogpost, I keep telling to you that I am stay on boathouse but I have not show you any photo of the boat… Herewith the photo.

Not a very big boat but can house around 50-70 people. Friendly host and breakfast provided!

 

Although I have nothing much to comment about Amsterdam but this is the place that I would like to re-visit if times permit.

Hopefully, I will have enough saving to go Europe again because I still have a lot of places haven’t leave my footprint. Honestly, the trip spent me a lot of money but the experience I gained definitely worth the price!

Here comes to the end of my trip. I full you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoy it.

Full album picture is here.

 

Manager

On September 13, 2010, in English, My work, by Kok mING

Managerial position is always the dream of almost all workers because many managerial positions comes with good pay and perks! Regardless what people do, most people wish to keep climbing up on the corporate ladder either to prove or satisfy themselves. Honestly, I am one of them which I will not deny or shy to admit. Since every one wants to be a manager but are you capable for it?

Few years back, I have no understanding on what manager has to do. I thought manager is a very simple job which is to manage people and their work. Ensuring the team perform at the best and no mess or shit from them then I will get a good rating. But this is not entirely true…

I’ve met quite a number of good managers. One enlighten me that no matter what you did, you have to never give up in order to success. He inspired me on “never try never know”. He trusted the team and always encourage us to do what we think is right.

Another, not too bad manager taught me a lot of tactic and skills of “office communication” not too much of political teaching but more on how to correctly pick the person in charge and most important the style –everything in black and white-. Although we ended up unhappily due to many issues but I do treasure on what I had learnt from him.

The third one is one close to my age. We are really closed and became directors of a subsidiary too! Good old times! A very notable sentence that I remember which he like to say “You are not to work for me, because you are working with me!”. If you can spot the difference perhaps you can understand it too.

I’ve also met very technical person to be my manager. He taught me a lot on technical stuff, even though I know a lot but he knows even more! He is always being supportive and good mentor to me. Almost never deny my requests except pay-rise. LoL. Although, he seldom speaks, but his action proven his status. Leading by example is what I take home from him.

The next, I respect on how he manage to drive changes on people! That’s not easy but I believe he did it very well. Also, he taught me a lot of project management knowledge too. Well, perhaps not 1 to 1 lessoning but the processes which he put into work place really give positive impact! He is the one who tells me to fully let go my technical responsibility and trust the team. It is not difficult to do it but it do takes me quite some courage too. Somehow, I believe he changed me too. LoL.

Let’s not brag too much on them. They might be following my blog and stalking my Facebook. Better stop talking about them before I say something wrong.

As you can see, the managers that I respect and give good rating have the similarities. First, they trust me (or perhaps they have no other better candidates…) Second, they never micromanage. Third, they are the role model. Fourth, they can be influential in some ways. Fifth, they give me good lesson which I can apply every where. Although  I may not be the best performer in their scorecard but I do enjoy my work with them!

To be frank, if you want to be a good manager, you do not need to be the superhero or the lifesaver. As long as you are capable, supportive, trustworthy, resourceful and willing to share. I believe in any work place, you will have a good ratings and able to create very strong team-bonding! Although at times, you have to make difficult decisions but it won’t negate the good work you have done if you never stop doing it!

Last but not least, if I am a good  leader or manager –before-, do click LIKE or write comment to tell me. 🙂

Happy reading!

 

I should make this very clear before you start to waste your life for the rest of the content. First, with this blogpost, I would like to share with you that not only IT job need to work over time, over time can happen to every job whenever needed. Second, I never try influence you to work extra time or go home on time. Third, this is to share with you that we can reduce the chances of occurrences of unnecessary over time with good time management. Fourth, job satisfaction play a very important role to encourage worker to go beyond the limit. Last but not least, if you are a manager and could not take things positively then you may opt to skip this. 🙂


Let’s start, if you are ready to spare your 10 minutes life for this crap! 😀


Many times, I heard people saying that IT workers needs to work long hours. Likewise, I interviewed many candidates who offer themselves to work long hours in order to win the good-will from the interviewer.


Honestly, there are so many managers would prefer someone that willing to work longer hours of course! For me, it doesn’t matter at all. Simply because able to stay back or work longer hours does  not mean you are delivering more or highly productive. It is only show that you are willing to spend more time in office only. Of course, this is an advantage but that will not influence any hiring decision.


Time management is always a key characteristic that the professional must equip with. He/she must be able to properly plan his/her time for work and life, in order to avoid disappointment. I, myself, will be always plan my time but often the weak project management team keep spoiling my schedules only 🙁


In most business, managers always say customer first. They want it to be done before this date and you have to do it even to cancel your scheduled leave. Oh well, if this is true… why don’t you let me to rest at home when the customer has no work request for me? Yes, of course I know I am being sarcastic now. I know that the company is paying me to stay in the office during office hours with or without work request…


Let’s be more realistic in scenario based explanation. I worked for 12-14 hours / day for my last employment. I never complaint or whine that the job taken too much of my time. It is because I know what I am doing and I have the freedom to have my schedules providing there is no conflict to the company’s schedule.


I could stay up to exchange emails with clients during 3AM and go to office 8AM the same day. Most important, I don’t feel tired or unhappy. I am satisfy with what I completed and whenever I receive appreciation notes from the customer. With these, I gain more positive synergy to move forward. You know why? When one people loves what they are doing and they are being appreciated like a professional. They are satisfy and will keep on performing their best.


However, if you are a manager whom do not appraise / appreciate / understand your teams but keep on demanding them to work longer hours. It is very likely that no one going to fight beyond the limit with you. Simply because they don’t have the job satisfaction… Worst case, they will feel being treated like a robot which ended up with a lot of negative synergy and influence the others.


Some managers may always say “You know, having an IT career, that is your faith to work over time” . I will agree if I’ve been slacking around or I am being unproductive (like facebook or chat too much) during working hours.


If I could deliver tasks on time on budget and the manager still demand me to work longer hours, it is too ridiculous to tolerate it … Not because I dislike someone take advantage on me. Simply because there are so many work laying around and each people has only 24 hours / day, if you keep squeezing your people to deliver faster so the project can finish earlier which will shorten the project timeline. When the project timeline is shorten, the company save project running cost and overhead cost due to the project finish earlier, it directly lower down the project cost and give the company higher profit margin. By doing this, you are just burning out your resources. This will not be good to build up human asset. Time to rethink, managers?


Work time for IT professional is not always related overtime or after hours providing proper project planning(duration, cost and resources), fair management to execute and governance the project issues/deliverables/commitments/changes. This will definitely lower down the occurrences of unnecessary overtime…


If you are a manager and you disagree with me, I will not say you are wrong or I am totally correct with my point of view. It is because you may be a good manager whom your teams/subordinates can appreciate you in the way I could not understand only. 🙂

 

Florence – Italy 2010

On September 1, 2010, in Uncategorized, by Kok mING

Florence is my last stop in Italy.


Unlike Rome, this is a peaceful yet quiet town which fill with heavy scent of art… Almost every corner, you can find the trail of art.


The Duomo is the symbol of Florence. Beside that, you can find a lot of museums and art gallery in Florence! Honestly, I do not enjoy art very much although I am so called an amateur photographer… The art do not seems so interesting to me, apologies to all readers who worship arts…


Having said that, the attraction that I am interested is the world renown – one is the seven wonders, the Leaning Tower!


   


 


After seeing it, I am depressed because I thought the tower is really close to the ground unlike the “over-whelming” news saying it could collapse in any seconds… Going up to the tower, it cost you money which is not a small bucks for the poor backpackers like us …



 


It is over-rated and I find the coliseum is far more interesting then this. At least the historical values worth the price…


As you can see in the photo… the weather were not good at all. During my entire Italy trip, the dark cloud followed me to every spot that I visit… The rain is my guardian who protected (stopped) me to do dangerous photoshooting stunt. But the weather did not give me another reason to visit Italy again…


Back to the story, Florence is not as busy as Rome but a lot of tourist! Also stalls that sell –genuine- products! A lot of serious buyers but not me! 🙂



 


Herewith some photos which I taken during with -good sky- . I liked the river view although the water looks dirty but it doesn’t smell! 😛


 


   


 


Another thing which I am puzzled… Why they have to do naked statues… I know this is art but can someone give me an answer? I wish I know how to enjoy the art too…


 


 


The only thing that really satisfied me was the tea-break in Mc Cafe. What is the best thing to do during rainy days?


That is to enjoy a cup of hot coffee, cup cake, and cheese cake with my love one. Although not everything went well during the Italy trip but this is the moment that I truly enjoyed, although not spending big bucks but I’ve got the satisfaction of being there! 🙂


 


 


Until the next post, I hope you enjoy the photos as much as I enjoy my Italy trip!


Happy viewing!     

 
RSS
Follow by Email
%d bloggers like this: