2009

Note: The following entry is just things going on in my head... so it's full of nonsense and ramblings :P you have been warned... the author shall not be responsible for anything that may happen due to reading this.

2009 has been one of the most interesting time of my life... interesting in the sense I was continuously challenged and thrown out of my comfort zone, and I get to experience new things. There are so many good and bad memories. Although I may not enjoy everything that had happened (certain things that I do NOT wish to re-live again!) , but I'm thankful since every bits and pieces that had taken place has helped me to grow and develop.

I know I do NOT wish to re-live final sem again~!!! hahaha... that was nightmare. The amount of workload and reading to be done, the lack of sleep, the dependency on caffeine... aww, good old times :P hehe. Oooh... also don't forget the most horrifying presentation I had to go through! haha. But then again final sem was also filled with so many great memories... going to Cameron, procrestinating and watching series, the good times with housemates and rumet terchenta, my 1st encounter with Suju and WonderGirls ;)

Other times that I also do not wish to re-live: rumah kene renovate (sgt menyusahkn~! I smell like paint for a month), the little car accident (that cost me RM400), all the misunderstandings I had with loved ones. There were times when my relationship with my parents, my family and my dear are tested... but at the end we emerge closer =)

Graduation was a memorable time... I can still remember the proud look my parents had on their faces =) love you mak abah~!

I got my 1st job in July 2009 at TNBR. My boss had great expectation (possibly due to the fact that I'm UTPian). I gave my best effort... partly coz I love the job anyway, and partly to jaga nama baik uni (ala2 patriotik gitu :P hehe). The experience and exposure gained from working there, eventhough for only 5 months, is priceless.

At TNBR, I was thrown out of comfort zone a few times... masuk hutan paya bakau, naik sampan (which they say ada buaya dlm sungai tu!), presenting proposal to MD, had to drive to meetings around KL on my own (got lost a thousand times... En. Azizan, lack of ferum in the brain ye ;p). I had the chance to get to know and work with great ppl, and I was touched by their friendliness and the amount of trust they had on me and my capability.

Then I got into PIPE. Surprisingly PIPE taught me a lot... my 1st thought was to only go there, spend time with rumet and eat up the food haha. But turns out apart from the ROTI BALDEP, LOGMOC, vision, mission, shared values, etc... I learn to look at ppl differently. So many of the ppl there suprise me, most of the 1st impression made were all wrong haha. I'm blessed to get the chance to know everyone from PIPE52, some of whom I wld like to consider as good friends now.

I was also happy to spend time with Gta, Na and most of all to be sharing a room with Alin. It was our last chance together before we each go off in separate ways. Alin if u're reading this, I'm happy I got to know you bter... u're now my BFF... huhu. I'm sorry for 5 years in UTP I never made the effort to do so.

My parents were away for hajj for about 40 days... that was a big responsibility. Eventhough there wasn't much to be done, I did feel the weight on my shoulder... nak jaga rumah, jaga adik, make sure they take their meals, having to cook at times, manage the money, make decisions when krete and gate breakdown...hmm. I'm happy mak abah are back now.... the house feels like a home again =)

Oooh... I'm particularly proud of myself for volunteering for the Mercy conference. Been wanting to join Mercy since I was in school, so one goal achieved =D huhu. Thanks again to my mom and my dear for their encouragement.

Any regrets? I only manage to read about 16 books this year... so an average of about 1.33 books per month. I hope next year to actually manage to read 2 books per month. Plus, there's no progress in learning aikido or mandarin or french or arabic... I hope to master those by the age of 30, so better hurry up. I also have to be more rajin mengaji.

In terms of career, I know I'm not a fan of doing research, tp dah rezeki kat sini... Allah knows what's best, so let's make the best of it =D Looking forward to year 2010 ~!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

P.S.: What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger right? hehe...

Just sharing - 90/10 Principle

I came across this article (while pretending to be busy at work =P hehe) ... it's call the 90/10 Principle by Stephen Covey (the guy who wrote 7 Habits of Highly Effective People). Just want to share it and hope it inspires us all to be a better person:

What is this principle?
10% of life is made up of what happens to you. 90% of life is decided by how you react.

What does this mean? We really have no control over 10% of what happens to us. We cannot stop the car from breaking down. The plane will be late arriving, which throws our whole schedule off. A driver may cut us off in traffic. We have no control over this 10%.

The other 90% is different. You determine the other 90%. How? By your reaction. You cannot control a red light. but you can control your reaction. Don't let people fool you; YOU can control how you react.

Let's use an example. You are eating breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks over a cup of coffee onto your business shirt. You have no control over what just happened. What happens next will be determined by how you react. You curse. You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the cup over. She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you turn to your spouse and criticize her for placing the cup too close to the edge of the table. A short verbal battle follows. You storm upstairs and change your shirt. Back downstairs, you find your daughter has been too busy crying to finish breakfast and get ready for school. She misses the bus. Your spouse must leave immediately for work. You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school. Because you are late, you drive 40 miles an hour in a 30 mph speed limit.

After a 15-minute delay and throwing $60 traffic fine away, you arrive at school. Your daughter runs into the building without saying goodbye. After arriving at the office 20 minutes late, you find you forgot your briefcase. Your day has started terrible. As it continues, it seems to get worse and worse.

You look forward to coming home. When you arrive home, you find small wedge in your relationship with your spouse and daughter. Why? Because of how you reacted in the morning. Why did you have a bad day?
A) Did the coffee cause it?
B) Did your daughter cause it?
C) Did the policeman cause it?
D) Did you cause it?

The answer is "D". You had no control over what happened with the coffee. How you reacted in those 5 seconds is what caused your bad day.

Here is what could have and should have happened. Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say, "Its ok honey, you just need to be more careful next time". Grabbing a towel you rush upstairs. After grabbing a new shirt and your briefcase, you come back down in time to look through the window and see your child getting on the bus. She turns and waves. You arrive 5 minutes early and cheerfully greet the staff. Your boss comments on how good the day you are having.

Notice the difference? Two different scenarios. Both started the same. Both ended different. Why? Because of how you REACTED. You really do not have any control over 10% of what happens. The other 90% was determined by your reaction.

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Here are some ways to apply the 90/10 principle. If someone says something negative about you, don't be a sponge. Let the attack roll off like water on glass. You don't have to let the negative comment affect you! React properly and it will not ruin your day. A wrong reaction could result in losing a friend, being fired, getting stressed out etc.

How do you react if someone cuts you off in traffic? Do you lose your temper? Pound on the steering wheel? A friend of mine had the steering wheel fall off. Do you curse? Does your blood pressure skyrocket? Do you try and bump them? WHO CARES if you arrive ten seconds later at work? Why let the cars ruin your drive? Remember the 90/10 principle, and do not worry about it.

You are told you lost your job. Why lose sleep and get irritated? It will work out. Use your worrying energy and time into finding another job. The plane is late; it is going to mangle your schedule for the day. Why take outpour frustration on the flight attendant? She has no control over what is going on. Use your time to study, get to know the other passenger. Why get stressed out? It will just make things worse.

Now you know the 90-10 principle. Apply it and you will be amazed at the results. You will lose nothing if you try it. The 90-10 principle is incredible. Very few know and apply this principle. The result? Millions of people are suffering from undeserved stress, trials, problems and heartache. We all must understand and apply the 90/10 principle. It CAN change your life!!! Enjoy...