Singapore versus Hometown

Hometown : Penang Island, Malaysia (the North)

Singapore : the South

Migration Year : October 2016 

Age : 23

This decision is definitely not made in a rush. 

and to make it happen, it definitely ain't easy as well. 

In my case, when it happens, it happens really fast though. (of course with help) That is why when I say it ain't easy, it ain't and I do treasure this opportunity very much. 

But the First question I ask myself is Do I plan to go and never come back? or Do I want to be back in future?

Answer to that : I want to come back to my home and build my own at where I belong. So I'll be back. I'm pretty sure of this.

My decisions are based on these few facts that I have in mind. Comparing among the pros and cons of leaving the North and towards the South. So, why did I go?

Timing and Age

When this opportunity arises, I was 23 of age. Sat my last ACCA examination in September 2016, I was still not aware whether I'll be passing the last paper. So, if I did not pass, I may have to work full time while continuing my studies. Am I okay with this? to be honest, I'm not because I know I'm a person who needs a 100 percent concentration when it comes to exams. But I did it anyway, why?

Because I'm getting old to not start working? Is this a good enough answer? Heh. By the way, I just started working full time in a small audit firm for about 3 months at that time, so that's not much work to do and I still could manage. 

I was 23 at that time and if I pass my ACCA exam, I'll be an Affiliate where I would need 3 years of working experiences in related field in order for me to become a member of the ACCA. That's where it coincides with my decision. *A little out of topic but not* fyi, my ideal marriage is when I'm 26 of age.

My inner thoughts were," I'll go Singapore work and gain these 3 years experiences and I'll be back home just in time for me to build a happy home in my home. "

That sums up why this timing is perfect at that time. So, I did what I did.  

Definitely a Pro x 2

Experience

You know what they say of your First Job right? It has to be a really good one or even better, a great one as this will make your resume looks really good for future career enhancement. 

So this decision was not simply because I found any other work in the South. I did considered for quite some time of this opportunity. I did research and had asked many types of questions that I could think of. Not only did I want to know what this job offers, I wanted to know myself whether is this a good experience to gain? Will I learn something useful and put to good use in future?

Besides my own thoughts and questions I formed, I asked for advises and comments too. From family, friends, coworkers to strangers. Hah (Strangers as in I only get to know the person for that few hours of small talks and our topic matches)

At that moment of time, as I said I was currently working in a small audit firm, I enjoyed audit. However, what I realized was when I was auditing, I'm not sure of how these figures or financial statements (FS) were made other than from what I learn in my studies. (If you didn't know, audit was basically checking for errors in the financial statements where the FS were all already made) Therefore, I was really curious of the hands-on practical ways of forming the FS from the most fundamental source of the sales and purchases invoices to bank statements. I called it basic accounting.

That is why I am determined to learn the things which I am curious about. Not only that this job opportunity offers to do basic accounting, it also offers GST, payrolls, disbursements, taxation etc. So many things that I couldn't have learn if I only sticks to auditing from the very beginning. As what my mom used to said,"You have to learn the most basic to master the most complicated." I couldn't have agreed more.

Hence, this opportunity is obviously a Pro x 3.

Currency and Earnings (Travelling)

Not much is needed to elaborate in this cause everyone knows. Heh. 

Anyway, just in case you didn't know, please head to Google and type in "SGD to MYR" and see what happens.

Of course I want this to be worth it since I'm flying all the way from North to South and for long term as well. For example, even if the currency is about 3 times, if you earn let say MYR3,000 here but you only earn SGD1,000 there, for me, this is definitely not worth it. 

All costs have to be taken into account and what I meant is the cost of accommodation, transportation, food and of course have to have some entertainment too. Another important cost to note is travelling cost. I'm not saying the vacation type of travelling, I'm referring to the cost of flying back to and fro from home. For me, I'm quite a family-oriented person, so I definitely will thought of coming back home often. 

Oh yeah, there is one important thing that I myself can be proud of. I have the habit of saving money, no matter it's a small or big amount. Heh For me, this is something to be proud of even though it's not really a big matter to someone else. Perhaps some people love to earn and then spend and enjoy it in a go but this isn't my case. So I don't think anyone who knows me ever heard that I said," I'm broke." or anything of that kind. I may have said expensive or over budget but never broke.

So I did a brief research on the market rate for a fresh graduate in my field at my hometown by asking around in order to know the expected rate I would feel worth it to travel that far. I'm not sure whether I'm accurate but the range is around MYR 2k or more. Thus, I set my expected salary to be SGD 2,500 at that time.

An instant, it feels like SGD 2,500 is approximately MYR 7,500 *eyes sparkles* which is a huge amount for a fresh graduate my age but I assure you it is not. Though it is enough as of now. As the rental itself in the South is ranging about SGD 500-800 per month so probably after you deduct all the living expenses, there wouldn't be much left. 

If there is some left, let say SGD 500 for savings in comparison with MYR 500 saved if I'm in hometown, of course you can see the difference there already. But bear in mind, I plan to be back, therefore, savings in SGD will seem to be more attracting and not to forget if planning for vacation right? Currency 3 times more, like a dream come true leh! However, if you plan to remain in Singapore, then that will be a slightly different story.

So, this probably is a Pro x 3 too.

Home

My definition of home consists of the overall big picture of my home island which means everything in it. This will be quite a list to elaborate but I think basically everyone can get a picture of that without much explanation. (A small picture to imagine : Family, Relatives, Friends, Food, Public Holidays, Area, yes Area too and I can go on forever)

Anyways, fyi I'm a fond of attachment (not even sure if that's a word for that) but to summarize it basically, I will get home-sick even though I've never been away from home before, I know. So the only thing at that time which is the first main 'Okay, I'll think of it' for me to migrate to that far a place is I have someone there, le sister. If not, this idea wouldn't even have crossed my mind. In addition, I'm currently attached to someone and he has yet to see any opportunity to be there with me yet, though he has plans to. (I think he is attached to me as well. Heh)

So, even how much I see this or persuade myself otherwise, this is without a doubt, a Con x 7. 

CONCLUSION

Sums up, Pros = 8 while Cons = 7

Current year : May 2018

So I believe you're clever enough to know where is my current location as of now. 

If you aren't paying any attention and decided to just scroll down to this very conclusion, (as Arthur Bloch said,"A Conclusion is the Place where You get Tired of Thinking") then let me tell you, I'm currently in the South, happy and healthy but not wealthy just yet. Hah.

This ends my product of boredom.

MIA

Hello to my personal space again

Couldn't believe myself that I've actually stop blabbering in this space for almost half a year. This place, I absolutely miss.

In these 6 months, a lot has actually happened. A LOT!

There were ups and downs but I believe there's more ups than downs. Maybe cause I'm happy and satisfied in my current life and all is well.

I think I'll just summarize up part of my happenings in the first past 3 months within this short post. I'll try to make it as short and summarize as I possibly can la ha. Cause when I start talk type, I can't stop. Heh (I'm a quite long-winded person)

The last updated post about me is working in a bakery and will be sitting in the June ACCA examinations if I'm not wrong. I'll basically pick up my happenings from June then.

June.

- Sit exam on the 6th, Monday but I, myself know I did not do well in that examination cause I did not manage my time well so were not able to finish. A sad sad day.

- The boyfriend told me there's a Ban Hin Bee (BHB) and Kitchen Tech Warehouse Sale at Island Plaza from 10th to 12th June. He knows me well and yes, he got it right. I go all excited about it and finally on the very first day, 10th in the morning, we went to the sale. Actually that's the only time I'm free la out of the 3 days cause we will be away (more on that at the next point). Conclusion, I got my very first BABY (A Kitchen Aid Mixer) while my another Babe signed the bills. Hah (Thanks Love) 

- Just about a week ago before it happen, my uncle (PekPek) ask if anyone is interested to go camping at Cameron Highlands, of course in that very minute I saw the message, I checked my calendar and gave a resounding YES! I'm that spontaneous if I'm sure I'm free. (So, don't forget to jio me to any vacay when you're planning yea TQ)

Then camping it is. Spontaneous camping trip which I enjoyed from 10th to 12th. (Sorry I did not take any pictures during the whole camping trip cause I would really love to enjoy the nature without any social medias distracting me)

- Had a small dinner on Father's Day with the family obviously but forgotten where did we go already, ooppssiee

- Plus, the relatives made another big family gathering to celebrate Father's Day for the eldest Father (grandpa) of us all at Holiday Inn Resort. We had the buffet dinner on the 24th. If I'm not wrong, we went for the buy 2 free 1 promo buffet. 

July.

- From the 6th to 7th (during Raya holidays), had a short getaway with the relatives to Gopeng, Adeline's Villa. (Two days one night stay) Definitely, another best vacay since I've had in ages with the relatives. Actually all vacations with the relatives, I'll be overjoyed. Cause I love love love family gatherings, moreover, family vacations. (Top of the world leh) Again, no pictures taken by me cause enjoying another escapes to the nature. 

- Finally first time stepping into the Audit/Accounting working industry. Started working as an Audit Associate in a small audit firm (KS Lau & Co) on the 11th. Expose to how an audit firm really operates and what I felt about auditing. It's a good feeling though. Luckily I liked it cause that would be part of my life soon now. 

- Sister is back from Singapore for 2 weeks which we enjoyed her company again. 

- Expecting bad news on the 18th. Got my P7 results and failed but there's improvement from the previous results so yeah, I'm quite satisfied I overcome some of my weaknesses. Of course still sad though. Determination set in not to give up as "Failure is the best way to learn." It got me thinking of a new and better plan/strategy to achieve my target. So it's definitely not a big failure but I'll treat it as a learning experience. A chance for me to taste the feeling of failure and to manage it well. (In future, when I faced more failures, I'll be able to adapt and manage it well so yeah, good training)

- Still motivated and determined so faster registered for the next exam in September. 

August. 

- Held grandpa's birthday dinner on the 6th at New Midlands Court Restaurant. They gave us a 5-tables room furnished with karaoke set. Chose this restaurant cause of their karaoke room cause grandpa love singing so yeah, all of us get to sing all we want when we feast.

- My nephew, baby Daryl born on the 15th. The first ever 1-day old baby that I've ever seen which is so good-looking and adorable. (Usually when I see most new born babies, they only started to look adorable after a few weeks old) Anyways, welcome to the family, Sha Daryl. <3 div="">

- My chinese birthday falls in this month. Only the boyfriend remembers actually cause I, myself forgotten all about it also. He personally make me a Red Egg (traditional way of celebrating birthday). Thanks for being such a thoughtful boyfriend to me.

-  On 26th, colleagues made a farewell apartment stay for the interns at Mansion One. It's from a friend so the apartment is FOC. I'm actually grounded from going out so I did not stayed over, just drop by a few hours. We feasted, chit-chat, snapped pictures and finally played a game called "Police, Nurse, Killer & Citizens" A game where we can really bond and social among one another and I must say it's the perfect game for gatherings (A game I really enjoyed). That few hours were enough, enough to make me relieve the stress I'm having because exam is around the corner.

- END -

I'll end my post here for now. I'll be sure to update my happenings for the other past 3 months here as soon as I find my free time facing the screen again besides facing it every day at work.

Quite tiring for my eyes to face the bright screen even when I'm back home after looking at it all hours in the office.

Catch'em all soon yea.

Laters.

May Discovery

Hello, welcoming the month of June.

May had been great!

Discovered something that really makes me... what do I call it? Happy perhaps. All smiles whenever I think about it. Like a girl in love. Hah

Hence, the supposed to be a busy month of May, I get a little distracted on my obsession for BAKING again.

Not sure 'again' is the correct word but this obsession never really stops before. It still frequently appeared in my mind whatever, whenever or wherever I go. ;)

Then why do I say I discovered it during the month of May?

Here's why.

I did mentioned that I work part time in a pastry shop starting April right?

FYI, my last day of work at Shervone Cakes & Pastry are on 13 May 2016. So I approximately worked there for about one and a half month only.

To be honest, I've learned quite a lot of stuffs while working there. Gonna miss baking there though.

If I'm not wrong, I said before that this work might either make me love baking even more or the opposite, hate it! Oh yes, it really did project much more obvious traits in me than ever and guess what?
LOVE or HATE? (obviously you know the answer already)

A definite LOVE!

Anyways, most of the time when I was working, all I do was baking, baking, a bit of decorating and more baking.

This is where I started to get really attracted to decorating cakes and getting creative ideas of beautiful cakes in my mind. Inspirations came flow in as if I just break into a beehive. Haha

Plus, I realized that in baking industry, I don't think I could work for someone else because it really limits your own creative ideas. Especially when decorating cakes cause you'll need to follow orders as in what you need to do and what you cannot do. (I don't mean the customers though)

Let's make an assumption, if I work for myself and I don't like using fondant in deco (nobody eats it anyway), then I could find better alternatives like modelling chocolate. (Nobody will ever say no to chocolate right?) But you cannot say NO if your boss say you gotta use fondant right? Of course the consequence is that the modelling chocolate will be way more expensive than fondant which is purely sugar.

Now I know why there's so many homemade cakes out there. You can only really enjoy the baking and decorating process if you work on your own.
CHEERS to own creativity, flowing inspirations, no limitations etc.

By the way, do you know how keen I can be towards the addiction to bakery? Ask the boyfriend to see how crazy I am. Heh

Or I'll just tell you la.

For example, when my boyfriend and I go dating and we do some shopping, I rarely go to any shops/boutiques selling apparels, cosmetics or even the heels/shoes like a normal lady would go to. Besides, I'll go for bakery shops, Daiso, Tesco etc. all just to shop for baking ingredients and baking utensils. I did it as if it's like my collections. My only limitation is there's no space for me to put all my collections. (Dad would be furious) All in all, I'm getting addicted to it I admit. ;)

Also, I did went into shops like SenQ, Harvey Norman, SEC, Ban Hin Bee (electrical shops) etc to just have a look at all the electric mixers and ovens. I need to own one electric mixer like seriously. I currently owning a hand mixer only so there's kind of a limit to the pastries I could bake. My dream is obviously to own a Kitchen Aid but it's really expensive for me right now. Unless, you plan to surprise me one. Haha Anyways, I think I'll go with the cheaper ones first. 

On top of all that addiction, I started stalking/following lots of beautiful cakes' accounts in Instagram and even Snapchat.

Nah, proof ! Hahaha

In conclusion, I know you geddit already, I'm really quite into this. Haha

That idea even passes my mind. It is to start selling beautiful and delicious cakes after I done experimenting the best kind of recipes. Just to fill in the past time, of course.

Will you be interested to buy cakes that costs not little (maybe ranges about RM 30 - RM 100) from an amateur baker? Not cheap you know all the ingredients plus the effort of experimenting the best one before selling it. Of course it would be beautifully decorated. Heh

But first, I gotta really remain focus on my coming ACCA P7 exam on 6 June, which is just only a few days away. Oh gosh.

And yes on April, I did said that I did not even start revising yet. (The-last-minute-kind) Obviously, I'm not in the same condition la now abo ma die liao.

I'm actually quite prepared for it already but still.... not really ready to face it yet but I think it's pretty normal cause nobody will be entirely well prepared and ready before an exam. Unless you know what's the questions are already Hah.

So best of luck to me and I'll see you again after this terrifying exam.

Toodles,

His dilemma, my dilemma

His is also mine. Hah I don't know why I'm also as nervous as him.

Worry that he would make the wrong decision and regret it later on. But I would still support and respect his decision anyway. So, I just wanna try blog it out to explain his dilemma and perhaps get some advises from you to him, whoever you are. Heh

Dilemma on what? Decisions decisions regarding his future, his career and also his job that he would require to spend most of his time there.

Basically, this boy here just graduated from his Degree in Electrical Engineering. Previously, he was studying part time in Inti College while working in Intel as a contract worker. Currently, he is still working for the outsource company for approximately 5 years already. 

After work for about half a decade, he finally realizes that he has more interest in software and programmings rather than hardware which apparently, is his field. (Degree in EE ma) 

Nevertheless, he would like to take up the challenge obviously to start anew field. Software, Programmings, Applications Development etc. 

Although hardware and software may somehow indirectly related to one another, as far as I know, it's two different things to learn. 

If he is going to choose the career path towards software, he would need to start afresh and known to all his interviewers as a fresh grads with no qualifications in the said-field, software engineering. 

While his degree in electrical engineering would not really be fully utilized, it would still not be a waste cause who knows he may need it back one day since hardware and software are like brothers and sisters (Totally a different thing yet they're related). It would only seem to be not really relevant to the companies he's now searching which are all mainly about software development, applications development, .... mainly in the Information Technology and Services industry (I'm not exactly very certain on the details)

By the way, when his current outsource company knows that he's going to quit to pursue other opportunities, his manager offered him a salary up to RM 3,500 and willing to transfer him to a software dept in Intel too but unfortunately, this boy wants to try searching for other sources instead of staying in the same company. So, he definitely do not mind starting from any lower pay because his main purpose is to look forward for new opportunities in the software industry just like what he wanted.

So heads up, he's actually investing himself and taking risk on these new challenges when he decides to go into this unfamiliar field which would cost him underpay (Short term perspective) but in time, he may succeed and achieve his dreams in this industry (Long term perspective).

Anyways, I assumed now you may roughly know his standards/ability for working in an information technology and services industry company that he is currently searching for.

"A fresh graduates with a degree but not a software engineering qualifications and practically, no experience at all in that so-called field."

Finally, I'm gonna approach to the main details about his dilemma. 

Let say,

He has been offered by two companies, Co. A and Co. B.

Company A and Company B is both a new and existing Sdn. Bhd. company started about 3-4 months ago in December 2015.

There's good in working in a newly incorporated company because there will be much more opportunities for you to grow together with the company. 

Co. A

- Advertising (Digital Display - Apps Enabled)

- Apps Development (Android/iOS)

- Branding

- Promotions (E-commerce/Digital Presence)

- Marketing

- Mass Media Application Usage

- Software Development (HMI/Automation)

About 11-50 employees

As of now, they only operates in Malaysia.

What they offer :

Come in as a Senior in Hardware Dept. 

(They need someone to lead hardware dept urgently because they are having a government project and wanted him to create the prototype to launch. Since, he wanted software, they say if he is capable, they might consider transferring him to software dept or may even ask him to lead both hardware and software as well.)

It's good to lead a team cause you're the one setting the budgets and you have the freedom to conduct the research the way you wanted plus delegate them to your team. 

It's not easy for a company to get a govt project but this Co. A gets, so not bad at all for a new company like this right? If successful, they may even expand to South East Asia. 

The above may seem interesting and attractive to build fast track career if he successfully lead but it also means that their company may not have any experienced senior to lead (So is it a stable company?) and he is doubting the limited ability he has to create a prototype, not to say lead somemore. Though if he really succeed in creating a prototype by himself leading the whole team, I bet his resume would be really attractive. Heh

Offering him a RM 2,500 (without EPF and SOCSO or any benefits) for 3 months probation period. 

If capable and good performance, they will definitely increase the salary (up to 3k-5k) and of course pay EPF and SOCSO from thereon.  

The question if he accept Co. A:

- Will Co. A sustained?

- Is this the right company to develop/broaden his skills and knowledge about software?

- Is he capable to lead and create a prototype?

- Is RM 2,500 with no EPF and SOCSO for 3 months acceptable?

- Will they transfer him to the software dept like what he desires?

Co. B

A newly start-up technology consulting and solutions provider with focus on FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) business information systems and Sales Field applications.

As far as I know from him, he said this company has experienced senior to lead the department and they even have executive team and management team in China operating too. 

Partners may be from Malaysia and China as well. (Looks like they are more wide and stable)

Offer him to be like a fresh grads in software dept. (It is also not a bad thing cause he may be assisted and have time to learn and improve.)

RM 2,800 for 3-6 months probation (Depends on performance, salary may increase too)

After pass the probation, they will fund him to training/seminars to obtain Professional Certification. (He would certainly obtained certs related to software for future purposes since he has no other qualifications regarding software engineering)

They have fast track career progression. As they said, if company increases in revenue plus good performance, he would certainly be promoted to senior level. 

The question if he accept Co. B:

- This company seems to be more stable than Co. A but is it really?

- Is this the right company to develop/broaden his skills and knowledge about software?

- Will RM 2,800 be sufficient? Will it increase more after probation?

- Will they honor their offer when they said they would provide training and be given a fast track career progression?

-END-

and yes, this is his current dilemma and surprisingly became mine too. Heh

One of my advises are to seek advises from others so I'm now seeking your sincere advises to lower our his predicament. 

Sorry for not stating the company's name. (Worry about any P&C stuffs, later the company come sue me for comparing.) 

But it's important cause it's related to his future path leh. Anyways, if you wanna know the names, come ask me yourself and I'll be delighted to tell you straight away. Heh

Any queries about more details on the company to help us him do more comparing, come ask me okay. Don't be shy. Haha (You may comment here, Facebook message me, Whats App me or whatsoever as long as convenient for you can le) ;)

Took about one hour plus plus of my time to type all this out, not bad not bad. 

Signing off now. 

Sincerely,

BoonFection no.8 no.9 no.10

This time our conversations may seems to relate a lot about the future which we imagined really happy, bright and positive thoughts. Though we're not sure we could fulfill it or not but its 'the thought that counts' for me. What's the 'thought' I meant? (I'll explain at the end of all our conversations.)

Anyways, you may think our conversations are a bit unrealistic but we sometimes (not often) plan or even imagine about the future together. It won't hurt to think too far right. Heh 

BF no. 8

B : Next time our room must link to a toilet to make the entrance first. 

V : Huh? Why leh? You mean once open door to our room will see toilet first? 

B : Yupp so everytime before enter our room must wash legs first. 

(Walao he suddenly so particular about hygiene and cleanliness)

V : Aiyer, then ma very ugly. Unless got another door lo. 

B : Got another door la for the toilet to link to our room ma. 

V : *Facepalm* Walao I mean our room la. Not the toilet. Room must got two doors.

B : Like that then do the toilet at entrance to wash legs ma no purpose already. 

V : hahahha Yes. Cause your idea of designing fail kaokao (a lot). Next time please leave the design and renovation part for me. You just be the one pay money can already. Hehe

(He ended up smiling and speechless. Hah)

BF no.9

V : Planning to call you hang all these photo frames on the wall for me de. But it needs drilling. So ma huan. 

B : In future, our house need to build like another layer of wood covering the walls before we hang/drill anything on the wall. Then can change everytime. You can even have different types of themes like what you want de.

V : Why cannot straight drill on the wall? Somemore need another layer of wood pula.

B : Drill already, the wall will have many holes very ugly. Can't fix back.

V : Eh can fix one actually. Yy told me can use white clay to mend it back nicely.

B : Yer, still not nice one. My idea better. We can change the theme every year somemore.

V : Wow.. Every year somemore lo. Very rich ha. Nevermind, your money ma. Next time your money keep a portion for house renovation and also my shopping ya. Hahah

(He ended up smiling and speechless too. Hah)

BF no. 10

V : Nah, since you so free help me arrange this books properly and tidily on the shelves. I remember the last time you tidy time also very nice and clean. You also like to tidy up properly and make sure everything is in order like me?

B : No la. I don't like. I just can't stand seeing it so untidy so ma tidy lo.

V : Oh, cheh ! Somemore thought you like to tidy up like me cause I really like tidying and arranging stuffs nicely and beautifully de but now I busy so you help me a while ya. Thank you. *Grins* 

(Obediently do as I say and help me arrange the books)

V : Eh, sounds like a great combination leh. Next time, you in charge of cleaning and wiping while me in charge of arranging and put in place nicely okay? Heheh coz by arranging, I don't need to deal with dust ma since I'm sensitive to it. Plus in future, you can leave the place in charge of designing house for me while you can do nothing but take out money from your pocket can le. Hahahahah thank you ya

(He smiles, shook his head and remain speechless to me syok-sendiri-ing while continue to arrange the books)

So what 'thought' was I referring?
The thought that a guy thinks of his future with you (I don't think it is a usual thing for a guy to think of their future with someone unless they are really serious)
The thought that he even go to the extent to imagine about our future house we're both gonna stay together in (As far as I know, only girls usually starts to imagine a lot, not usual for the guys to initiate the imagination first)
The thought that he never denied or shows any sign of disagreement to my every attempt of asking him to take out his $ for us. (I don't expect him to actually agrees to my ridiculous offer? heh)

Okay la, that's all for the sweet blabber. Hah

Loves,

Searching for a Path

I couldn't say I did not regret taking accounting course as my career path. It happened really fast from what I remembered though, I mean how I came to choose accounting. 

I had few choices in my mind at that time. 

I remembered culinary arts was in my list cause obviously if you know me, you'd know I love baking but apparently, not in cooking so yeah, that's why I did not take up culinary arts.

Interior design was also one of my choices, then I realized my creativity skills are really low and even though I do know how to draw quite well but it's all mostly base on referring/copying the work of others which I feel in a designing field, one must not copy one's work. It's called plagiarism. 

To be honest, I love baking and designing is because it involves beautiful decorations. Colors.. designs..

and then I thought if I know how to draw and at the same time love it, what job scope would require drawing skills besides interior design. 

Someone gave me the idea of civil engineering (I'm not sure who gave me that idea already) 

I actually did some research on the courses and colleges to go to and obviously asked around especially my parents. 

They did described to me how my future would be like if I study towards civil engineering. Obviously, I'll be a civil engineer which means something closer to being an architect may be? 

They did also said that this type of job would not be so easily attained cause the market is not big enough in our home country. (I remembered they said something like that)

My imaginary minds fly to the future that I look at myself wearing the construction helmet. Haha

and of course, I did not like it. So the simple idea of civil engineering was turned down by me.

So I was left empty and out of ideas of what I wanted to do back then. 

It was just after I finished taking my SPM at the age of 17. When the result of my SPM was out, I got 8 A's out of 10. I was in Science stream then and I also took an additional subject which is Accounting. It's an advise from the sister so I would have variety of choices to choose from cause I could know what I like.

Eventually, I realized I'm quite good in calculations cause my Mathematics, Additional Mathematics and Accounting (all related to calculations) got all A+'s. 

and by fate or what I'm not sure, dad was leaving his company to pursue in other company, so a lady friend of his known as Selena which is also a financial controller from the company wanted to treat dad for a farewell lunch so that is when Selena introduces me to the route of an accounting. 

Selena told me if I walked down the accounting path, I may go for CAT or Diploma in Sunway or TAR College or any colleges offering an accounting course. To further my studies, I'll then go towards ACCA to take up the professional level qualifications and she said that's it. ACCA is one of the highest ranking in an accounting field. I may not need to continue taking Degree and it's okay. There would be a lot of vacancies because accountants in quite needed in the market. Plus, she did said many companies are now searching for ACCA candidates rather than Degree grads for accountants. Before ending our conversations, she did advised me to go forward for auditor rather than just accountants in the future. 

After she finalizes the route to me, honestly, I did not think or imagine a lot cause the path she described to me were all quite clear and obvious. For that, I'm thankful to her. I forgotten all about imagining the work life of an accountant or auditor.

Since I thought my accounting was really good and I get an A+ in SPM, why not? 

I started searching for colleges at that time without much thinking. Coincidentally, my family and I were at KL for sister's orientation too so we took the chances to ask for accounting courses in Sunway University College in KL and the surroundings. Back to Penang, I did went to a few colleges that offers good accounting courses. At that time, I went to PTPL College and TAR College and to realizes I would get 75% scholarships from TARC since I got 8 A's in SPM. 

I remembered I did not do much of any thinking and what I was doing was comparing which better colleges and surroundings to have for my college days. Obviously the one with scholarships though. So, the decision was made just like that. (I'm pretty sure that's how I ended up in this course)

To be honest, dad said one thing to me that to think back now, that's the reason I'm all okay and decides to take up accounting finally. 

He said something like that, "When you finally reaches to the top to be an auditor for a big company, usually there's only one highest auditor in a company, your work everyday is just 'chop and sign' that's all and your salary would be in 5 digits for only just a month!"

How tempting and attractive right? What I did not realized is the journey I had to go through to achieve and reaches that stage. 

At that time, I did not take the initiative to ask around more about the life of an auditor and the journey it takes to reach to the top. Now at this current situation, I now know that even being the highest level auditor with 5 digits salary, there would be a certain high level of stress that an auditor have to go through. 

Fortunately or not, I still haven't had the chance to experience whether I could handle the stress life of an auditor. So I'm now here not regretting it yet. 

Currently I'm still sitting for my ACCA last optional two papers. I failed once and did not plan to fail it again, NO I cannot!

I do think that I'm actually wasting time not gaining any work experience by full time studying on my own now. 

But I did do a bit of job searching for short term employment about 3 months may be? cause I did send resume to Deloitte (one of the Big 4's) and to what I was told, they put me on hold until I passed from all my ACCA papers (I estimated by July 2016) then most probably they would hire me. 

At first, I planned to work full time but short term while studying, so I would have to find a simpler job with not much stress. (Of course provided with something to learn, something to earn and something to gain experience on) I ought for any administrative work in any company but apparently, no company wanted short term. They said,"Just about to train/teach you everything, by then you're about to leave again and they would have to retrain new people again."

So, I was turned down quite a number of times and finally think of a contingency plan. Hehe

The contingency plan was actually suggested by my mom. I told her the problem of not being employed short term and she said, "Don't worry, do anything you want or you like, go out, gain life experience and expand your views. The money/salary doesn't matter. It's better to do something out there than to just rot at home. It doesn't need to be related to your studies now. Never stop learning......"

When she starts the life speech, it's not gonna end any sooner. It's really full of inspiring stories and facts to learn that I would really love to pass on to my children in the future. I don't think I'll be able to dedicate life experiences and stories like how my wonderful mom projected hers to us. Hope she's gonna pass it to them on her own too. 

Okay back to my contingency plan. Heh

When she said all those, I highlighted these words in my mind,'do anything you like'

and yes, what I currently love doing is BAKING which I think I will probably enjoyed and learn something from the working process. It's not gonna be my permanent career of course. Anyways, I've always express my love towards baking so might as well experience it out there how the real baking industry works right. Maybe I would grow to dislike it after these short 3 months of working? Heh who knows hmm..

I sound so confident that I would get the job I wanted right.

Yupp, you're right. I found the right work at the right place and right timing in just three days time after I decided to find for something I like to do for my short term work. When there's a will, there's a way right?!

Actually it's pretty simple la, I just type Penang Cakes in Facebook (sometimes FB is really useful) and all the pages of cake shops pops out so I literally message about 20++ shops (there's a lot more actually but I wait for the first 20 to reply and see how first lo)

Obviously, there are a few replies and finally, I found quite a good deal and the best working hours la weyyhh. Hah 

Why is it the IDEAL one ?

Shervone Cakes at Crystal Point (Very near to babe's office so he could find me for lunch or buy me lunch when I'm busy?)

Monday to Saturday, 11am - 3pm (4 hours of work only so syok plus I even have time for my studies than I originally plan. The time also does not clash any busy hours so I don't need to stuck in the jam to and fro to work)

Service Crew, Baking Cakes, Decorate Cakes (The ideal job scope I wanted. How to find work like that for a person who has no baking qualifications besides homebaked experience only)

RM500 per month (I guess it's about RM5 per hour. Fair enough since my purpose is to learn, not earn. By the way, in these one week time, I already overtime for extra few hours le, so yeah for some additional $$)

**Head over to my DAYRE ("dayre.me/vickykhoo") for my working environment visuals if you're keen to know or perhaps my SNAPCHAT (@vkykhoo) for some baking processes updates. Heh**

For now, this is my current situation. Working short term as a baking crew while studying for my last paper on this coming June 2016. 

Tbh, I'm not really good in multi-tasking but I hope I could continue to stay focus in both studies and working. 

Signing off soon la. This might be the first fully longest worded post in a very long time. Hah

If you did read until this very end, applause to you and love you la since you spend your time knowing and interested about my boring life.

I don't think this will be the end of my long worded post, maybe more to come. I'll tell you all why if I have the mood to explain why I finally prefer to spam my blog with my long winded words (stories) rather than just visuals (pictures)  

Cheers ~

Loves,

2016 Resolution

You know what?

I don't usually do resolution kind of stuff. If it could help in achieving something I wish for, like maybe giving me the commitment, determination or motivation to make it work then why not?

I have a few in my mind for quite a long time already. Yet, I know one of it I couldn't make it happen. Not that I can-not, it's just that I am missing that determination. (Yeah, I think that's what I'm lacking) *referring to the first resolution*

I'd always knew that I have this really bad habit that I wanted to remove (if there's a delete button, I would do anything to have that, I'm serious) 

Okay, what bad habit that I would want it gone so badly? You know there's a term in Hokkien called "Wu Tao Boh Bui" (Direct translation : got Head no Tail) In simple terms, it means that when you start doing something, you do but it is always incomplete. (Perhaps this is the reason I'm so afraid of making resolutions)

Just found out the correct term for this phrase. It's actually a mandarin idiom.

In Pinyin, it is called 'yǒu shǐ wú zhōng'

In English : to start but not finish (idiom); to fail to carry things through lack of sticking power; short attention span

The Piano

So one of my resolution for nearly like every year is playing the Piano smoothly. I'm having this reso since I realizes I love playing piano which is like what, a dozen years already? Hah

Yet, I still haven't master the skills up until now. That's why I said I have that bad habit, always doing things incomplete. Sigh... 

Though I've finally learn how to read a little of the piano chords but I guess I've forgotten most of it already. 

I'm not too sure whether I'm even gonna make this as my resolution or not. Oh well, let me continue the others first 

The Studies

If you'd read my Dayre (another type of social media which is like a blogging platform), you should probably know that I'd failed two of the optional professional level papers in ACCA (P6 and P7). 

It's my first time failing an ACCA paper. So, what's my feeling? Obviously, I'm not happy.

You know, one thing about me that I think it's maybe a good thing or maybe its not. I'm quite a happy-go-lucky-type-of-person. The good thing is I'm mostly happy and usually think positively about most things while the not-so-good about this is sometimes I'm over-optimistic and I guess people tend to find you fake (they would think like how can someone still be happy after ....) 

Perhaps I'm just a bit good at getting my mind away off things or maybe think of the good side of it. 

So yes, I'm not happy for a moment but later on, my mind starts thinking... (Let you know how do I get over it so quickly in this case) Mind was talking to myself.

"It had already happen. Nothing I could do to reverse my mistakes right? 

What did I do wrong actually? Gotta find out.

Eh, cannot compare to others! Want compare? Compare to the previous me to improve. 

Perhaps this is not my field after all. Should I just quit?
Oh yea, I remember a quote which is related to failure. "Failure only happens when you quit"

I've already come till this far, no I cannot quit.

Gosh, I gotta waste more time for studying again. Bored of studying already but mom once said, never stop learning. Learning is simply a gain. Okay, it means in the future, I'll still keep on continue to learn which is equivalent to studying too. So fine, studying is not a waste of time.

(Actually I think a lot more in order to make my mind turn into positive thought)"

It's not that simple. You can actually see from there that my mind starts thinking of some negative thoughts before it turns into positive ones. What I do to switch it is to find a reason or excuses like some motivational quotes, experiences or advises from anyone or anything you could think of. (That's how my love ones indirectly supported me)

That's why I said before, I think a lot, like literally. Heh (sorry for the long-winded though)

I know you must be thinking, 'Yeah yeah we geddit already. You very positive. Hahha'

Anyways, this is a resolution post so this is another resolution of mine for 2016. To graduate and be an ACCA Affiliate.

"Failure doesn't mean you are a failure, it just means you haven't succeeded yet." 

The Passion

In baking? In auditing? In blogging?

Until this day, I'm still searching for that passion that could make me happy, that's the most important right? (Live with no regrets)

For me, a passion is something I look forward to every single morning when I opened my eyes. 

Is it so hard to look for your own passion? 

Of course, there are so many things besides those three. I want myself to look further, further than my eyes could see. 

Can travelling helps? Reading more helps? Or sometimes what you really need is Luck (Opportunities)?

I'm always finding, thinking and yes, I hope 2016 will be the year I can finally aim for something to grasp on.

The Career

2016 will be mostly about these type of things okay? Hah What do I call these type of things?

'The Approach of Being an Adult' maybe?

I'm in my twenties already ma so of course gotta prepare to earn my own *kaching kaching*

Some of you may be wondering that aren't passion and career nearly the same thing?

Yeah, I wish I wish I wish, it's the same thing!

Maybe it shall also be one of my resolution? Heh (So many maybe's)

Okay let's be more realistic here. If that really happens, it would be my dream come true already, not just any resolution achieved. Also, provided that I'd found my passion already.

Though someday, I shall and I will do my best to achieve it.

"My career is my passion. My passion is my career."

Wah, damn nice weyhh.

Okay, back to the more achievable ones first.

In 2016, I want to be either employed or self-employed. Whichever that could get my bank a regular cash inflow and more importantly, gain knowledgeable experience.

If employed, please be the company I've been dreaming to work for.

If self-employed, please be the business I've been passionate enough to fight for. 

-END-

You must be thinking, 'Like finally, this entry is ending.' Hahah

So far, I have 4 already right? Yeah, the Fantastic FOUR!

Let me put these resolutions in my mind for 2016 first. One cannot be too greedy, aye?

OkThxBye

Sincerely,

Future Plans│After Study-Life

This month of examination got me thinking a lot... about my future plans

if I passed all the ACCA papers by this year, where will I be heading next? (still left last 2 professional papers though)

In order to become an ACCA member, there's a few *I gotta called it* as steps to go through before you officially attain the ACCA membership.

Obviously one of the steps I'm currently doing are the examinations. Total of 14 papers to take up. 

(Mine as of now = 5 exempted and 7/9 papers done)

So the future steps I'm gonna take up are the 36 months "Time in my Relevant Role" (3 years working experience) and at the same time, they have the Practical Experience Requirement which I would need to complete their total of 20 performance objectives. (Basically it's like an internship, I would need to write reports and pass up to ACCA for them to approve)

Perks of taking a Professional Course! Hah.

I think a lot, like literally a lot and I've been asking around just as much to anyone that I'm comfortable talking too at the moment.

As of now, I'm having a dilemma on either to go to an audit firm or non-audit firm to work in the coming 36 months and gathered the 20 performance objectives at the same time.

I've been listing down some of the Pros and Cons that I got from the thinking and asking, so yeah.

Audit firm

1) Having the chance to audit many different types of company from different background and able to gain a lot of useful yet incredible experiences.

2) My resume will look more outstanding when viewed by corporate interviewers because they expect that when you're from an audit firm, your knowledge would be wider since they covered everything about accounting.

3) Chances of learning and doing both accounting and auditing work. (Difference of accounting and auditing are explain below)

1) Most probably will be assigned to a specific department to work, for example, Trade Payables department. So your knowledge and experience gained will be limited to this department only. (usually in Big Audit Firms)

2) All if not, most people that had been through with audit firms doesn't have any good feedback (at all) due to stress, a lot of overtime work (everyday) and the lack of rest they could get. Sometimes, gotta work during the weekends or even public holidays because of the tight deadlines.

3) I'm not sure why but people said audit firms paid lower salary compared to non-audit's.

Non-Audit firm

1) Their paid salary would be slightly more than audit firms. 

2) Working in a non-audit firm wouldn't be as stress as in an audit ones. Though there will be overtime but not all the time. Work would be much more relax (is it the right term?)

3) It would be interesting when you can work in a company where not all 'files and papers' are all around the offices. (mostly in an audit firms, they handles accounts and accounts only) So, I meant interesting as in working with a wedding planner company, film industry company(eg, Disney or Pixar) or even working in Google. (most people's dreams)

1) Obviously, resume wouldn't be as outstanding as the ones from audit firms. (To be a professional accountant or auditor, resume obviously would be more 'attracting' or perhaps suitable if worked in an audit firm rather than not)

2) Narrower job field since in a non-audit firm, usually the firm would be only in a specific industry-related. So not much experience gained from various types of industries. (though there's still things to learn but limited)

3) The scope of work is only related to accounting but not auditing. 

*Difference in Accounting and Auditing* (Let me try to explain using non-accounting term) 

Accounting is basically about literally doing and preparing the accounts;

Auditing is like checking the finished set of accounts whether the accountants are doing it right or otherwise.

So can you please help me sought out this dilemma? Heh. 

Ps, most probably I'll be going over to Singapore to gain my 3 years working experience though not confirmed. Heh

Till then,