Blog endurance...

I salute you, lovely blog ladies for your ability to update the rest of us with such perseverance! It's like no matter how quiet the blog front may be you never give up on the fact that someone somewhere out there is reading and thoroughly enjoying every available online morsel. When I grow up, I want to be just like you.

But for now, I am simply proud that I've actually managed to steal a few minutes to myself to update you on my life. I will just have to prove my endurance in due time, tee hee hee!

So the boychum and I are currently in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. KL is the capital city of Malaysia. Since the last post, we left Miri and headed to Kuching and Kota Kinabalu (all 3 places are located on the island of Borneo). It was sad to say goodbye to my folks in Miri but necessary as we truly felt like we hadn't given the job-hunting a good shot by only applying from afar. Now that we're actually in KL, we can drop in and meet with managers/recruiters like normal people do. Here are some teaser photos of our trip to Kuching, look out for a more in depth post in the near future!

We trekked for 2.2 km in the blazing sun for this view. We had forgotten our togs but this beach was too good to past up on so we jumped in anyway...


The next day we went and visited the Orang Utan Sanctuary...look at this graceful little guy posing for me!


It's not been the easiest that's for sure. A learning experience for all as after a long day of interviews or even just unforgiving visits to recruitment agencies, it is tough to refrain from clawing each others eyes out for the darnest little things. Patience is a virtue right? Some days it is as impossible as a whale flying a plane.

On Friday I had my first job offer. However after a lot of thought I declined. Before I told them my decision I felt the need to justify my choice but once I'd done it the sense of relief that came over me was a sure sign that I'd chosen well. I am a firm believer in observing and noticing the little things. Many people say focusing on tiny details will only drive one insane but I think I'd rather be crazy than mislead. At the end of the day, you've just got to trust your gut and keep an eye out for the signs.


Yesterday I had another job interview with a PR company. I'm trying not to wish for it too hard but I think I want this one. I will only hear back next week but please keep your fingers crossed for me. It's been a while since I've felt this way. Job-hunting can be so de-moralizing but here's hoping I won't be unemployed for much longer. It was kinda funny actually. I had an interview with the big boss and tried my best to 'sell' myself without sounding cocky (I hate that part, can't they just read your CV, I always feel silly saying, 'oh look at me, I can do this and this and this at the same time!' hahaha). Anyhoo, we had a wee chat and he decided to give me an assignment there and then. Essentially I was given half an hour to write an essay about why the Malaysian currency should be re-pegged to the US dollar. Now, even if you've only met me once, you will know that this is not my strongest topic, far from it actually. I love talking about sock monkeys for crying out loud, do you really think I possess vast knowledge about currency? Gah...so I had a think about it and one of the parameters was that this essay/article wouldn't be directed at businessmen but instead the commoner, you're average joe or josephine who is a taxi driver or florist. So, I decided to improvise, I just figured I'd write the reasons that would make someone like me care. Half way through reading it he asked me what sort of papers I did at Uni, I'm not sure if that was a good sign or not. But what I think may be a good sign is the fact that he told me what my salary might be and that he'd have a word with the shareholders before letting me know. So once again, fingers and toes crossed for me okay?!

So what else is go at the mo...oh it's actually a special Malaysian festival today. It's the end of the Ramadhan fasting month and all Malays celebrate Hari Raya where they ask for forgiveness from their friends and family before everyone comes together for a big feed. Ah, the ultimate formula for a good celebration = awesome people and good food. As my family's not Malay we'd normally go and visit our Malay friends that were having open houses. To enlighten you about the term open house - it is to be taken literally. People would have their doors open to everyone and offer tidbits, drinks and sometimes meals to anyone that stops by. This is the sorta of stuff you can expect for Hari Raya:


What you see here is stewed lamb in a curry-ish spicy Malaysian sauce, sticky rice that been roasted over an open fire in a fragrant banana leaf encased in green bamboo, pineapple tarts and chocolate butter cookies. All you have to do is show up and tuck in. Sweet deal huh?
It's essentially the same process during Chinese New Year except it's the Chinese that have open houses and serve different cuisine. Our family used to have an open house during Christmas time but unfortunately all the siblings haven't been back at the same time during festive season so it's a tad tough to organize.

We managed to score some TV series so we've been catching up on Season 1 and 2 of Chuck and my personal favourite, Season 2 of Pushing Daisies. I think it's the most whimsical and beautiful series I've ever laid eyes on.


Sigh...that's probably the most creative thing I've done recently. But I remember reading somewhere that creativity can be found in the littlest of things, the trick is to see the beauty and acknowledge your creativity in noticing it. That often is thanks enough to the person who created it too. Doesn't mean I wouldn't give my left arm to have a sewing machine and some socks around to create and recharge right now though!

Tomorrow's a public holiday so we're hoping to head to Sunway Pyramid. It's actually a shopping mall that's connected to a theme park and water park. I'm in dire need of some proper non-traveller clothes for my potential job anyway...Ah, the sacrifices we have to make huh?!

Well I better go, want to finish processing the last of our Thailand and Cambodia photos so I can post them up here.

It's good to have my laptop back, I will finally have a decent shot at blogger endurance. Please feel free to give me a pat on the back, be that a virtual one, if I manage.

xoxo
Miss Deb