10 Successful Traits

As usual, anything useful that mom overheard from the radio, she would share with us during family dinner time. So here I am sharing with you guys too. Heh but forgive me, I don't remembered all very clearly cause the information is mainly in Mandarin and apparently, my Mandarin is quite bad. 

If I'm not wrong, she heard it from 988 FM one morning. 

It's something about which traits you do/have that describe yourself as rather a more successful person or less. If you have more than 5 or 6 of these traits, then your chances to be a successful person is higher. Or I think she meant, the percentage you do/think like a successful person is probably higher.

There are actually about 13 traits given by the radio announcer/DJ but I remembered 10 traits only. Sorry hehe

1) Read a lot. As in useful educational books, articles, magazines but I don't mean comics or novels. You will always learn something new from reading. That's a guarantee I can give you. Anyways, never stop learning right?

2) Waking up early every morning. Make it a habit or either discipline yourself to do it. About 8 am every morning I suppose.

3) Exercise consistently. Either few times a week or even better everyday for a short spam of time, maybe half an hour or so.

4) Not easy to be influenced by negativity. Dare to denied when approached by something which appeared to be attractive but unhealthy. Like drugs, gambling, etc.

5) Mixing and sharing thoughts with successful people. I don't mean unsuccessful people cannot be mix around but successful people tend to give more knowledgeable advises. So, make more friends and grow your circle.

6) Be kind. Treat people like how you want others to treat you.

7) Help people in need. Charity, donation or even anyone around you.

8) Have multiple source of income. You may work freelance or full time. Either way of earning money would do. Perhaps investing your money too.

9) Flashing back all the things that you do for the day. To be reminded of the things you learn the entire day so you would keep it in store in your mind.

10) Able to accept feedback/criticisms from others. Enable yourself to know and learn from your own mistakes. Be it positive or negative, learn to accept, interpret and make good use of the feedback.  

So how many did you scored? or how many did you actually apply in your daily life?

Perhaps I shall do one short random post to recall my entire month just for the sake of traits no. 9 even though it is referring to everyday routine. Heh

Every month routine should be fine also la. Oh wells ~

Till then.

Loves,

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,