Be a lil bit nicer, will you?

Lately I noticed that I could smile more often than not. I'm really happy, although I haven't gotten what I want this year, the burden that I felt these few months is gone. I'm glad, and am thankful to HIM for answering my prayers.

******************************************************

Every time after I watch a movie, I will usually reflect on the values that I can extract from it, so that watching movies will not be something wasteful to do. One of the movies that I have watched a few times is Nanny McPhee (okay, I know it's not a new one.. pardon me for being outdated in commenting). Apart from being a decent story, I must say I love the way Nanny McPhee handled the naughty, very ill-mannered seven children, and how she guided the children in making decisions and actions in benefit of their family. Though to a certain extent, yeah, there were a few times when she used her magical gift to teach the little rascals (if not, it is doubtful if she could tame them), the lessons that she gave them were applicable for just any parents to teach their children manners.

Being fearful of the tapping of her walking stick, the children learnt to obey her. There were five lessons: Lesson no.1: 'To go to bed when they are told', lesson no.2: 'To get out of the bed when they are told', lesson no.3: 'To get dressed when they are told', lesson no.4: 'To listen', and lesson no.5: 'To do what they are told'. Well, lesson no.5 for me, is subject to how we perceive what is being told, and that has resulted the clever part of the movie when Simon, the eldest of the seven, purposely interpreted his stepmom-to-be's instruction 'Behave' as 'Beehive'.. and by causing a turbulent moment as if the wedding was being invaded by bees, the undesirable matrimonial ceremony that could lead the father and also the entire family into deep nightmare was ended.

Apart from the five lessons, which I think are still applicable to us four siblings even we are way past childhood (lesson no. 2 and 5 still uphold on every weekend!) I am most attracted to the another phrase in the movie: 'say please and thank you'. If every people would have said this to the person they wanna seek assistance from, I believe that person would be glad to help.

In this modern climate, it is hard for me to find anyone who would come to me and say, "Ira, would you... blah blah blah blah, please? Thanks" instead, "Ira, I want.. blah blah blah asap ok~" Well, it is not that I am scrutinizing the way every people communicate with me, but I would certainly be a lot more willing to help if there is an added 'please' being said.

Oh, the age gap? Well, being more senior doesn't validate one to treat the younger ones in a less courteous way. There was one of the national slogan "Bahasa Menunjukkan Bangsa". This phrase does not mean that if I speak Malay, I am a Malay, if I speak English, I am an English.. no. This phrase literally means that we are how and what we speak.

(I dunno if it is just me.. but I really think there is a huge difference between 'Thanks' and 'Thx', or 'Thank you' and 'TQ' and 'tq', or 'Please' and 'plez' and 'pls'. I don't at all prefer 'Thx' or 'TQ' or 'tq' or 'pls' especially if it is a request note or email. Nevertheless, I would write that to express some kind of objection in responding to the sender (because I don't wanna leave out 'that word of acknowledgment' anyhow), but yeah, different people have their own style and different opinions.. maybe mine is inapplicable to others..)

Talking about courtesy, there was this incident, when I was on my way back from the office. The train was full of people, and of course, those waiting to get into the train were pushing each other to make way for themselves. I managed to secure a standing place somewhere near the door, when a man was still trying to squeeze himself among the tiny spaces. The doors were about to close and he was still attempting to get in. Obviously it was not easy to push a number of people when you are doing it alone. He was already been trapped between the doors, and the doors opened again as always when there is something between them. Looking desperate, he shouted, "Woi, masukla sikit" in a not-so-good, grouchy tone, and pushed the few tired-looking women in front of him. He managed to get himself through finally. What came to my embarrassment was that he was wearing our company corporate shirt, which had his name on it. I glanced at him and his name a few times, until he noticed. I just did that purposely, to make him realize my 'errghh kind of look' towards him. Personally, I would likely think 'hey, this not-so-courteous guy is working under the same roof with me... euuww~~' .. okay, he might be having a bad day at work that day; perhaps his deals were not closed successfully, or it was just his 'err' day, or maybe he was rushing home due to an emergency, or for whatever reasons for his act. But, I have to say, we should watch our act everywhere we go. It is not a matter of being pretentious, but definitely we do not want to be judged by our 'sudden cloudy mood', whereas on the regular basis, we are actually nice people with contagiously-nice smile. Anyway, yeah, the subconscious mind tend to take us over when the emotions are in control. I couldn't blame him for that..

(..well, that goes for me too.. let's not regularly blame PMS season for the now-and-then straight-faced me.. (>_<) stick it inside your brain, Sharifah~!)

At the end of the day, it is us who actually shape or decide how people look at us: the 'stormy fella', or the 'oh, he is that seasonal moody head', or perhaps, the 'nice person to work with'. Tepuk dada, tanya selera :) It's in your hand on the final take.

"...kalau saya tak mahu kerja dengan awak.. fikir-fikirlah kenapa ye..~"

haha.. *wink* ;)

Lunch time @ the office

"Abah, don't you know I have a blog too.. Read la my blog, macam mak.."

"What do you write about? I don't wanna read your personal stuff"

"Well, not really personal stuff.."

"Sure tak best la tu.."


Eeuuww.. abah~~!

***********************************************
Heyy.. Umno Youth to set up blogs..

Bertambah la kepicisan blog ini berbanding blog2 itu di mata ayahku.. sigh..

***********************************************

Just sharing my most recent fave song. Stop and Stare by One Republic.

This town is colder now, I think it's sick of us
It's time to make our move, I'm shakin off the rust
I've got my heart set on anywhere but here
I'm staring down myself, counting up the years
Steady hands, just take the wheel...
And every glance is killing me
Time to make one last appeal... for the life I lead

Stop and stare
I think I'm moving but I go nowhere
Yeah I know that everyone gets scared
But I've become what I can't be, oh
Stop and stare
You start to wonder why you're 'here' not there
And you'd do anything to get what's fair
But fair ain't what you really need
Oh, can u see what I see

They're tryin to come back, all my senses push
Un-tie the weight bags, I never thought I could...
Steady feet, don't fail me now
I will run till you can't walk
Something pulls my focus out
And I'm standing down...

Stop and stare
I think I'm moving but I go nowhere
Yeah I know that everyone gets scared
But I've become what I can't be, oh
Stop and stare
You start to wonder why you're here not there
And you'd do anything to get what's fair
But fair ain't what you really need
Oh, you don't need

What you need, what you need...

Stop and stare
I think I'm moving but I go nowhere
Yeah I know that everyone gets scared
But I've become what I can't be
Oh, do u see what I see...

.. but in the end it doesn't matter what I see, cuz too few who care.. so all that matters is my conscience is clear.

Love perhaps?

On my laptop, my all-time fave love song: Seperti Kekasihku by the great indonesian band, Padi is playing. Great song. Makes me recall the time I had in the campus. Kinda miss those times.. sigh.

I was listening to Dewa's Risalah Cinta before that, and this line caught my hearing.. "Aku bisa membuatmu jatuh cinta kepadaku, meski kau tak cinta kepadaku, beri sedikit waktu, biar cinta datang.." yeah, it is not impossible to make someone fall for you.. and if you keep on trying, you'll never know that luck is getting on your side..

Lately, I was pulled into a few not-so-good stories of my friends' love life. I felt sorry for them.. Yeah, I couldn't imagine if I were to be in their shoes.. I may come to the extent of not being able to work either. But thank God, those rough times are gone. Hmm.. Cinta.. certainly a big influence in people's daily lives kan?

Alike most things that has to be started with some kind of endeavor, love also needs it. It's no use saying 'I LOVE YOU' without showing that you really love. I always believe that the song 'More Than Words' leaves something for lovers to think about, although most of the time, if I am interested in someone, I will just act like what is sung in the lines before the chorus in Ryan Cabrera's 'True'. Haha, yeah, can say I'm a scaredy-cat, or perhaps I'm not that confident enough to confess.. or I just think that confessing is definitely not a girl's job. Hmm.. I'll take the third option. Okay2, call me conservative :P Oh well, I'm just not this expressive lover.. I can be nevertheless, but I don't want to, as yet.

There is this really cute colleague of mine, aged 32. She's still single. Well, being single in MITCO in your 30s is not seen as something weird I guess. Nevertheless, that's not an option for me anyway. I often wonder why is it that she stays single; and my take was 'perhaps to her it is uncool to settle down'. Yeah, assumptions.. it is always not suggestible to ASSUME. So last Thursday, on our way back from Kuantan, we had a chat. I asked her, what does she want when she was of my age. Surprisingly, she said 'I wanted to get married and start a nice family when I was young like you. As I grew older, and I met more people, it got tougher to choose someone good for me'. Okay, my drive to ask her more questions declined, because now I know it is not weird to think about settling down at this age. I'm normal, pheww~ =)

While a few of my close acquaintances are getting betrothed and hitched, some are still in search of their own soul mate, while some of us have a few options of suitors (whoa~ lucky!). We talked about this quite frequently when we meet. I think cuz we are not gonna stay in 'early 20s' in a year or two, and that finding someone who suits you gets harder each day.. the seeking just has to be a bit swifter and more vigorous.. even our parents are getting worried of our unmarried status, uncannily more than we ourselves do.

Right now, in the journey to become a matured adult, I guess there is no harm in making choices. Afterall, the one who is gonna live with the choices is us, why would anyone bother? Debates come in when there are different opinions in making choices and decisions. The benefactor of the decision should have the most concern and the most say when choosing an option.

What I feel about love today, is that LOVE needs constant care. The one that you love the most and loves you most is the one who smiles as easily as bleeding because of you.

My 2-cents worth.

The Cs in a Girl's World

As beautiful as the blooming petals of a rose
as graceful when she tips on her toes..
As sweet as the scent of the white lily
with smiles on her face, contagiously merry..

(hmm.. suddenly I am imagining Aurora from the animation 'Sleeping Beauty'..)

How many Cs can I associate with a girl..? Hmm.. banyak!!

Antaranya ialah:
Cash (hmm, I guess this includes how much is in the bank account too.. adeh)
Credit cards (would be better if it's gold, or even better, platinum!)
Cars (continental cars would be more lucrative~)
Club membership
Condominium

This list didn't come from me okay! I got it from a girlfriend who talked about how expensive can it be to get a girl.. and all the Cs listed above are must-haves for guys in order to get a girlfriend. Is it true? I dunno.. I just think if everything were to be measured with money and material things, then honesty, integrity, dignity and self worth can all be bought with bank notes. Well, it is up to us on what our choice is, isn't it?

For me, I'll do the math easier. What are my most-loved Cs?
Chocolates, caramel, cookies, cakes, cars (strikethrough for not having it yet), comfort, cards (always the best gift when the wordings touch the heart), cartoons.. hmm, and oh yeah, compact powder! Always does the trick.

(Err.. do I sound modest here? Hehe.. perasan~)

Hmm, I just discovered the new Cs I have to look out for. Especially in these few coming months where the 'in-thing' in my circle of friends is to get betrothed, or to get married.

They say that diamonds are girls' best friend. Well, I would agree. I can usually see the shine in my girl friends' eyes every time we look through the display glass outside a jewellery outlet. Haha.. and guys would say, 'Girls, normal lah..'

There are five Cs to be concerned about when choosing diamonds: Carat, Color, Clarity, Cut, and Cost.

I just learnt about it while browsing the Net a few hours ago.

So okay. Those add to my Cs list I guess, haha =) It's not a sin, especially with guys, is it?

Turbulent me

Aaarghh.. why do I feel so hard to reach deep inside when I'm writing in English.. sheeesshhh..

"Kekuatan hati yang berpegang janji
Genggamlah tanganku cinta
Ku tak akan pergi meninggalkanmu sendiri
Temani hatimu cinta.."

They're Letto's Sebelum Cahaya. The song that soothes.. The song that makes me think of the loved one.. Pity him.. I let him down too often.. I'm sorry.

Okay, lets talk.. or rather, discuss.

I'd like to ask this question. Can you feel your heart is like being incised when suddenly something that saddens or disappoints you happen? Can you feel it bleed?

Nah.. it is just a question. Nothing major.

Lately, I noticed that I don't actually smile that often. It's not that I'm not happy.. I'm just being the normal me. But I know, it is way easier for me to smile to those less-significant acquaintances. Not many things actually that really make me happy. At times, I wonder what it is that contents me. The drawback is that, it is easier for me to feel sad rather than to feel happy when I am in my normal emotional state. Sigh..

Like what Fergie said, "I need to be with myself in center, clarity, peace, serenity.." I feel at best when I am with myself. I observe myself to be in the best mood when I'm all alone, listening to the radio, to window shop, to drive.. (and my mom will think that I'm trying to exclude my siblings from my daily affairs.. duhhh)

I realize, as I grow older, the emotional part of me becomes more dominant. I don't really fancy that fact, though that is the reality I have to face presently. The negative emotions surface really evidently when those who disappoint me are those whom are important to me. Sounds pathetic, doesn't it?

Passive love - I learnt this during the induction course I went to last month. This passive love happens in those who strive to maintain good image in other people's eyes to get people's adoration. Yes, I have a bit of that in me (truth hurts, okay~).. though with the passing of time, I learnt to be a little nasty to people who annoy me; I learnt that it is not always important for everyone to like me.. which yeah.. I admit that at times, it does ignite the good feeling inside.. the good feeling of revenge and self-expression, and not being a facade.

(oh my.. how many 'err' words have I mentioned already.. habis la blog kena label, adehh..)

This time around, I would really wanna see the clock ticks as fast as it could. I am anxious to know how would my life be at the end of the year. I know that this year will have many many exciting stories for me to experience. Working life-wise, personal life-wise, knowledge-wise.. if only everything can happen with me being awaken at the end of December.. "wake me up when December ends.."huh.. what dream.. a day older should make you a day wiser, Sharifah~

This is just the middle of March.. 8.5 months to go.. (-_-)

Lafaz afdal untuk 8 Mac

Dear friends,

Knowing that March 8th is a special day for us this year, lets begin the day with good 'niat' together with special 'lafaz' for it.. :)

"Sahaja Aku Masuk BARISAN, untuk undi PAS, kerana KEADILAN.."


Happy voting~ *wink*

What say you?

Alright Malaysia.. the general election is just around the corner. Have you guys enrolled with SPR yet? I have! And this will be my 1st time voting since I registered myself in 2005.

I just came back from Terengganu. Prior to arriving, I haven't engaged myself with the news nor the newspaper for like 2 weeks (memang ketinggalan sangat la jawabnya!) I wasn't aware that the election is near. I was moved to see all the banners from BN and PAS decorating the roadsides. Oh well, I am always excited to be in the mood of Malaysia's election. Back in my hometown, they just started to hang the posters and the banners.

Right now, on TV, there is too much of 'trying to make the rakyat recall what has been done over the years'. When I watch all those videos, it makes me feel like they are forcing the citizens to be thankful for the things they are actually obliged to do for the country. In short, I feel loathed. Loathed that those people bragged too much on their achievements in building the nation. Well, it's not really THEIR achievement. It was the past leaders who did it. And they are boasting over it just because they are in the same party. Yucks.

Not that I have already decided whom I am gonna vote for. I have yet to recognize the faces who will compete for the area I am voting in. I am gathering ideas from the yahoogroups that I am in.. just to get other people's point of view.

During my visit to Kuala Terengganu, what I can witness was just a plain fishermen's village, with some of them supporting their family by producing keropok lekor or other seafood-based snacks. It wasn't that bad. But surely, more improvements can be done to help these kampung people. Yet, the present authorities were more focused in commercializing the city, filling it with icons, overlooking the people's needs. Personally I see no urge in building the Taman Tamadun Islam. Another project in which tax payers' money is poorly spent. Oh yeah, I guess that is for upholding the Hadhari idea.

Recalling what my ustazah used to tell, the Caliphs after the death of Prophet Muhammad S.A.W, before being appointed as Caliphs, they were reluctant to carry the huge responsibility to lead the Muslims, having fear that they might not be good enough to fill in the position. It doesn't happen now in the political scenario. Everyone in the party wants to be in the contest to be the next YB. I wonder why (besides being flooded with money) do they want to be a YB, even when they are not up to it. Because they are responsible lot? Oh, I doubt that.

I wonder if they know that they will be questioned in the Hereafter for everything that they have done while holding the position, for every cent of the taxpayers' money wrongly spent.

Let's welcome March 8th with hope that some change will take place. Let's use this opportunity to show our power as taxpayers, to voice out what we have wanted to say, and to choose what is best for our nation and generation.

"WORK 'SMART', FAN HARD!" hehe..

My thought for the day

I am undergoing my induction right now. Describe it in a few words? I am happy to say, it is FUN.

Bet, jangan comment about this tau~

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

In my previous blog, I wrote a post about this one Chinese song that I really like. Ling by Alan Kuo. It was a theme song from the serial drama 'Mars', with Vic Zhou and Barbie Hsu being the lead actors.

The story was about two lovers (yeah, typical..) who fell in love when they realized that they need each other to survive their life. Ling (played by Vic) was a hottie in school. His friends, especially the girls, viewed him as confident and a cool guy. He was a motorbike racer after he left school. Even his dad could not stop him from being one, although he didn't agree to his son's decision. But, nobody knew Ling had a nightmare of childhood. His mom was a psycho, thinking that the husband no longer loved her, and his twin brother committed suicide due to the fact that he couldn't endure the pain after their mom killed herself. Qi Luo (acted by Barbie) was a girl of high self insecurity. Her step father raped her when she was 16, and since that day onwards, she never trusted men and has no good friend to talk to.

Ling's turnaround happened when Qi Luo was seen often being bullied by the girls, especially Ling's fans, due to a few times had Ling saved Qi Luo from nasty pranks and threats. He became a mighty person in ensuring Qi Luo's safety, shoving off the bad acquaintances and also her stepfather. Qi Luo depended on him eversince..

Ok2.. it's not that I'm gonna narrate this story until the end, hehe.. It's just that what I realized from the story and from one of the activities in the induction, is that, no matter how weak one thinks one is, or even if one feels that one is not strong enough, one will always have the conscience to help others, despite their own limitations.

I think I find joy in helping others. I think I'm reliable. I feel that I can protect. Even though there are times when I feel I am not that strong enough.

Thinking about it made me drew the relation between me and Ling (hmm.. how thoughtful it is.. :P) I can be vulnerable, and the fact that I am powerless when I'm vulnerable has never stopped me from being defensive of those I feel should be defended.

And.. with that thought, I came to this conclusion: There is always strength even though we feel weakness is overwhelming us.

What do you think? =)

A lil bit of work and the satisfying Juara Lagu~

Hah, ok2.. don't get me wrong. It's not being in HR that makes me bored. I guess the change of ambiance made it feel weird. That's all Bet =D Oh well, nevertheless I AM thinking of the next move after HR. When will or where to.. that will be something I would not wanna share as yet..

Okay. Let me tell you what is it with the weird feeling. 1stly, if I wanna say something, I won't take a detour sentence just to get the listener feel good. I'll just go straight to the point. Being here presently changes all that. My recent visit to Labuan was a good experience as an exposure to my new field and a new way of communicating with the staffs. I met Zhafri there, and he told me, " You guys from HR are well-trained to speak," and true enough, our visit acclaimed good response from the employees there and also from our boss. Maybe I didn't realize it, but I think I'm coping well in assisting my friends with HR stuff, which makes me feel good at times. At times. Maybe I'm just so scared that I won't be as good as they would expect me to be.

Right now, I'm observing more than I have ever done before. Cuz right now, superior performance means money okay! And yeah Bet, I couldn't agree with you more, the Company holds incomparable opportunities for the employees to grow, whether it is for work improvement or self development. I could see that very clearly. And I hope I'll be patient enough.

Alright. Work affairs aside. Let's talk about the most interesting topic (for me!) last weekend.

Juara Lagu 2007. What else. Watched it from the beginning, with high hopes that Siti won't bag any prize. Pardon me for having that kind of feeling. Just couldn't help it.

1st comment, it was so liberating that Siti didn't win. Oh yes.. it felt great! I don't mind if anybody is gonna call me a bad girl by saying that. I just want her to feel how it is like to lose. Nevertheless, her performance was a great one. No doubt. Fast moves with well-sung keys. But it is sad to witness her dancing and thumping on the stage after performing her pilgrimage. Not good.. not good.

2nd comment, I think the stars being born from reality TV shows have their own distinctive voice and stage quality to offer. Jac, Sahri, Bob, Fiq, Rich, Fazli Zainal, Mawi (being the contestants) and Nikki and The Lima (as guest performers) captured the audiences' attention very well. I guess AF doesn't produce singers of less quality compared to Malaysian Idol. They all have their own talents to offer (am I too exaggerating here? Haha!)

Ok2.. I wanted Jac and Lah to win, cuz I love the song and I think Lah and Jac's vocal prowess combination was the best for the night. But having Estranged as the winner was even better, it was like the entertainment industry is giving path for fresh songs and new groups to develop their talents.

3rd comment. I have never been a fan of Mawi, but watching his performance that night made me feel that he does have his own magic. Haha~ still.. I'm not a fan. It's just that I felt entertained when I watched him sang. It was also good that he bagged the 'Best Performance' award. I thought the Dato' cum Datin Seri would win it.

Final comment, the MCs did a great job, besides wearing splendidly designed apparels, hehe =)

Anyway, congratulations to all the reality TV stars. As much as I love to sing, I love to watch new talents grow. And congrats too to Juara Lagu production team, they managed to bring out the magical feel in this Juara Lagu episode.

A new feel in a new ambiance: Learn to love!

Say hello to Zahira in Blogspot!

After about two and a half years blogging in Friendster, I finally moved to Blogspot. I dunno why I did that.. may be getting into a new environment could be a motivation for me to continue writing. I noticed, ideas come in really scarcely for me. The thinking of writing or commenting about something is there.. but all those thinking are kinda personal.. and that I wouldn't want my blog to sound so personal.. I'm no celebrity.. nobody would wanna read, haha.

Okay2. So how does it feel already being 3 months here in this skycraper? Well.. I think the exact word to describe it is WEIRD. If there is any young reader of this blog, take it from me kid, working is boring, unless you work for yourself, in your own company, where you are your own boss, and no one is gonna have your KPI and Leadership evaluated, everyday! (okay, now I feel so immature.. or better, kiasu) But why work still?? Haha.. it's all about the money man.. and if I'm not working, God knows how Mom will nag me.. and I won't be able to get myself that nice wardrobe.

You know what, I just realize, for the past 6 years, I have not really asked myself what is it that I wanna do with my life. No, UTP was not in the list, doing electrical engineering also wasn't there.. not even working as an HR personnel! Haha.. and right now, I asked myself, what do I REALLY want in life.. if it is concerning about my 'periuk nasi', I am clueless. I have indulgences, but those indulgences.. well.. they are not approved by my folks, haha. So, no say about it. Looks like I had better control of my junior years compared to now as an adult. No wonder Peter Pan didn't wanna grow up, haha. But then, by not growing up, one will never learn. Life is not always a pot of honey. Life is tasteful. And not all tastes come into one's liking, am I not right?

Nevertheless, we always have a choice to make. Afterall, to be happy or not, it is up to us to choose. Though I know that Capricorns don't really fall for or change for something as fast, but the liking or hating will come eventually. Of course, you can't really fake it when you love or hate something.

Right now, I'm constantly thinking of 'what's in it for me'. I used to believe that that phrase is somewhat selfish. But gradually, I come to think that being selfish is okay at times. Working for someone else; the company's goal might not be your aspirations. And that, you start to think, what are you doing in the company. My senior manager always said that Generation Y are an impatient breed. I think I would agree. Many of the young executives are leaving. I do not know how the bosses will strategize on this. What's more.. the Generation X, the vastly-experienced bosses, are retiring soon.

Ah... again, it's a choice to make. In life, we have to strategize our own life path. Challenging or not, demanding or not, it is us who decide. I am a big girl already. Come what may, I'll face it with a positive mind, a strong heart, and good will.

So should you. No exception.