The Many of Firsts

Ahh....just got back from work. The clock shows it's almost 8 at night. I had my dinner, watched some usual 9 PM drama, and here I am...ready to sleep to prepare another day at work. Yes, it's my first day today. I finally submitted my application for the issue of my S pass. The process of submission wasn't as complicated....what made it is the stupid HR person: JONATHAN!

OMG....today on the way to work, I saw him getting onto the bus. He clearly ignored me. Either he really feign ignorance or whatever....man, it's just disgusting that there's actually a person like him. In the HR office itself, he didn't have the slightest bit of care to attend to me while waiting to be picked up by someone from the department. I'm just disgusted to my very guts.

Anyway, first day of work was not so bad. The manager who hired me was super glad to see me. She sighed a relief and said, "finally". Man...that in itself made me feel welcome. The thing is, I just found out that I'll be transferred to the Chai Chee facility along with 3 other fresh grads where we will work as a team and handle the purchasing responsibilities in the Chai Chee facilities. So, there was only 2 who had reported for work. One is Jerry and he's from Ipoh and the other is Daphne, a Singaporean. And then there's me, Brian from Jakarta! hhaaha...more like Singapore-bred Batavian. Well, both of them started a week or two ahead of me, and pretty much was into the game of what we're supposed to do. So, meanwhile, Pauline Wong, who was the designated mentor would have to re-teach everything she told the both of them. Good thing that I am someone who's familiar with a couple of stuff and a quick learner on top of that. The unfortunate thing is that I don't have access to a working computer so that I can try things hands-on like Oracle, the MRP and some other stuff that I will be dealing with days in and days out. Nonetheless, I filled my time reading newsletter and stuff. The more I read, the more I am intrigued by my company. It seems they are bigger than what I had originally imagined.

So....tomorrow is Friday, yet I am at distraught thinking what will I be doing tomorrow for about 9 hours without a working computer. Man....it must really suck. But then, Saturday I am flying to Jakarta to attend my friend's wedding while also catching up with other friends that I have not met since I left the land of US of A. So....a great weekend to look forward to and a hellish Monday awaits. Hold on, have I told you guys that my job revolves around the all-important Monday? Monday is the day that the cycle starts anew with all the new items to buy and all the other items that have not been processed, sent, or received from the suppliers. So, basically what me as a buyer has to do is to complete all the necessary items that shows up on the MRP complete everything by hook or by crook by the end of the week before the next Monday comes up with new stuff. And I also realised after being informed by Pauline that my company sets a very high bar for completion of purchasing activity. So, I really have to buck up if I want to earn those moolahss and the bonuses. Yes, my dear friends, I get quarterly profit sharing based upon performances!!!! WOOHOOO....now, if only I can get my hands on a working PC unit.....

BP: A case of mistaken identity

Ahh....another posting. Hehe...World Cup is already way past like it happened last year. Nothing much going on after that, but life goes on. Actually in speaking of that term, my life does carry on and to a certain extent moving forward as I received the news of in-principal approval of my S pass application from the MOM! So...YAY to me! hahaha....I guess my dad was more excited and jubilant compared to me when I received the news from my company's HR. So, all I needed to do is to pick up the letter, and get the medical check done (which the company's paying of course!) before submitting all of them to the work pass division to get my S pass issued. Only then can I start working and be called a Sanmina-SCI employee.

Swell...so I told Jonathan (the HR guy who made me wait 1 hour when I went there to sign the contract) that I would be coming the next morning. I took the bus in the morning to enjoy the morning view and maybe a peek if there are any nice-looking, hot female employees in Singapore (can't blame me for being a guy!) and somewhat a bit disappointed. Out of all the ones I see, I'd rate them a 7 for the highest score. Sigh....maybe they hide or are being chauffered around by their bf's or their overly-protective father! hahahaha....

Well well...what do you know?? Jonathan wasn't there when I got into the HR Dept!!! Arghhh...this guy just likes to make people wait. And on top of that, he treats me too casual. So much for one who is rather slacking and "missing" all the time. He treats as if he did nothing was his fault. Grrr.....so, after about a 30 minutes wait for just one god damn letter and a slip for the medical check up at the company's clinic, I finally got to go to the clinic to complete my medical check up. I was required to do blood test and X-ray to accompany my submission for S pass. The doctor there was not too friendly. It was still early morning and he had the look of someone who had worked the past 2 days non-stop! hahaha...well, he asked me the usual questions...any medical problems, sickness or allergies. Then he took my blood pressure. Guess what? Though my name's initial is supposedly BP or better known as British Petroleum (just kidding!), he told me that my Blood Pressure is rather high - on the borderline. He told me I need to slim down! Alrighty doc! I told him immediately that I was already trying hard, and I can't shed all those flabs on one day! So much for the uncanny link to my name. I always knew I never had problems with my blood pressure or any health-related issues, but why now?? Maybe I had a recent break into my work-out routine, and that made me a little slack. And actually the day before the check-up I had been trying to compensate for my recent two-week slump with extra effort at the gym. The result? Sore chest, arms and legs...and actually a sharp pain in my chest that goes on and off. So it could be my blood circulation being messed up cause I mess up! Geddit? If not, then I don't really wanna explain. Just that extra effort to make up for loss time is not good for you! hahaha...so don't procrastinate! He then told me to lie on the bed so that he can check on my heart, my abdomen and my whatever lah....then he saw the scar just below my bellybutton. Why is the surgery there? Is it emergency? I told him I don't know and that at that time it hurts on both sides when I had my appendicitis. So maybe the doctor was confused and had no choice but to operate on the middle! Hahahaha....he finished me off with drawing my blood. Man...he's cruel and heartless. He just took my arm, flicked the area where he was to draw the blood. Then he strapped my arm with a band and told me to clench my fist. He found the nerve he liked, and just poked that needle! GOSH! I HATED NEEDLES!! So, about 10 seconds, and he pulled out the syringe and covered that baby wound with a plaster. What a relief. I always hated needles and I will always hate needles!

Anyway, after that I went for my X-ray and I think it shouldn't show any peculiar things. I mean, being a passive smoker won't qualify me for being a cancer-prone candidate right? So....all's left is to wait for the result to be sent back to the company in which I had to pick them up from Jonathan AGAIN! sigh....be patient. One has to be more Zen about all these. I wish I had more in me to supress all these uneasiness I have in me. BUT! It also means just another week away before starting work...

New Vocabulary from watching World Cup 2006

Well, well, all that one-month of footballing actions and feverish atmosphere gave birth to a couple of new vocabulary words that will be used and maybe in the long-run legalized as recognizable words.

1. Zidane - a great, humble, yet reserved person gifted with talents and loved and respected by many of peers, friends, and everyone. He produced magical feats and wonderful performances night after night. Yet, his outlook was blemished when he pulled something so sudden and so unexpected out of him. And to think that was the memory and the legacy he left behind when leaving football for good.

2. Ronaldo - or Christian Ronaldo to be exact. Another person who is largely talented and admired for his dance-like moves and his pace. He betrayed his own friends by doing the unexpected, getting his own friend to be red-carded. This resulted in boos not only from people in the country he's playing his trade in, but also other nations who shunned his actions.

These two words reflected something which I experienced on my own, although indirectly, involving a close friend who suddenly "Pulled off a Zidane, and Ronald0-ed by his friends whom he left behind and uninformed."

I may only know of the news when informed by another that he let know regarding his departure, but still, this is something really most unlike him for the duration I know him as a friend. I don't blame him. In fact, I had a premonition of this happening. It's somewhat blurred because of the way my mind works; it was like the combination of the culmination of hints I got, a recent e-mail of another friend coming back, a dream (YES! A dream), and just my gut feeling. So....pardon me for knowing it somehow and not being able to trace back to how I knew this was happening.

When he got Ronaldo-ed by other friends. I told myself...If I were to be in his shoes, and had to leave so suddenly, maybe I would have pulled a Zidane myself. We may never know his reasons, nor will he ever tell the exact reason why he pull off that trick, but we have to respect what he has done. After all, Zidane himself was still admired by his country and footballing peers for what he had given to football and as a great player. So, for a friend that he is and knowing his character, I would give him the benefit of the doubt and proclaim that he has a valid and justifiable reason to warrant his actions. I pardon him, and I even support him for doing what he did. At the most, you can just interrogate and torture him to heart's will when we meet him again, right guys?? Hehe...this one I can't help you bro. This one will be your own battle, but I will just support you whenever I can. I still have you covered (maybe in return you can treat me to some cifan yourself!)

To friends and his friends: Zidane or no Zidane, he's still our beloved friend. To have him as a friend is a blessing. To lose him as a friend is like a part of your soul taken away. To mock and hate him for his leaving is like not respecting him. So, I say, let's forgive him and may we meet again soon enough to make him feel the pain of being left behind.

Ciao bro! Hope I can meet you soon enuff. And just don't forget that I still exist and I can always be contacted either MSN, e-mail or my cell.

Numero Quatro - Azzurri Campione 2006

WOOHHOOOO!! ITALIA! ITALIA! ITALIA! Surprisingly, it was quiet in the early hours here. Just the day before, Germany had routed Portugal to a 3-1 score. Bastian Schweinsteiger was a one man show. Two great long-distance goals and one free-kick that resulted into an own goal. Now, that's some drama! And not to forget, the biggest drama was yet to unfold.

Italy vs. France. These two countries are very well known for their passions and emotions. Every word and every movements they make in their normal lives are depicted in their body language and their excessive gestures involving hands, mouths, and eyes. And yes, the drama started early in the game. For no reason at all, Malouda came into the box and with the slightest of touch from Materazzi, he fell and the ref (I haven't even begun with the ref) pointed to the spot. Zidane stood two steps away from the penalty spot before daringly chipping the ball. Luckily for him, the ball spin with such force against the under side of the top post like in the mangas/comics that it spun past the line and out again. With naked eyes, you can't see for sure if it's a goal but the linesman confirmed the goal and the ref gave the goal to France. Man and it's only 6 minutes at the start of the World Cup final held in a beautiful and majestic Berlin stadium. However, with Cannavaro and Buffon in goal, the Italian defence seem unbreakable as they were tight and blocked every shot and attempt on goals that the French could muster.

The match started brightly for Italy and they dominated the ball. Less than a minute and Henry was almost out cold with an incidental brush to the elbow by Cannavaro. Yet, they were unlucky to be trailing so early in the game. The good news is that there's time to catch up and of course win the game by the way they're playing. Indeed, with the corner swung in by Pirlo, Materazzi who conceded the penalty jumped higher than Vieira and drilled the header past Barthez with such force that it made Barthez look so bad. So, we're tied up now. No less than 5 minutes later, Pirlo again swung another corner and met by Luca Toni but it hit the bar, again with Barthez so badly beaten. Ahhh....and I can sense the Italian victory tonight. But in second half, France dominated and the Italians lost their edge. It wasn't helped that Italy took out Totti, and although he didn't really made any impact, the replacements didn't made any either. I would rather put in Gilardino instead of Iaquinta. Then, out of a sudden, Pirlo swung a free kick from the left side of the field which was met by Luca Toni and went past Barthez! The Italians were already celebrating, but there was a party-popper. The yellow flag was raised and the Italians protested for a while for the offside call. Man...and I thought they scored for sure this time. (I bet big time on Italy winning in full time.) Pirlo also had a close chance with his free kick. He aimed low at the near post and it beat Barthez, but not the post and the touchline. So....after 90 minutes...no side were able to make any difference. The game started brightly but faded after the two goals were scored.

Extra time. This is where the drama went even more teeth-wrenching. With 10 minutes to go and penalty shoot-out inevitable, something happened. Buffon came out of his goal-area and confronted the ref and stood by Materazzi who was grimacing on the turf. Buffon was clearly angry and was arguing with Zidane. After replay, then I found out what happened. Remember 8 years ago in the World Cup Finals against Brazil? Zidane came back from his red-card suspension to score two great headers that propelled France to the world champion status and him being a great player. Even Adidas printed the ad slogan, "We gave Zidane a pair of boots. He used his head." He used his head alright, but to strike at Materazzi's chest with such sheer force you can feel the sting just watching from the TV. At first, the ref didn't know what happened, and after consulting with the other ref, he gave Zidane a red card. We all knew that this is the final game for Zizou (his nickname) in any football game because he is retiring for good both in club and country, but we never had even imagined his last memory of his shining career (very much like the shine on his bald head) to end with a red card and a disappointing walk to the tunnel into the dressing room. And that ends his career as one of the greatest footballer ever! To his consolation, he won the Golden Ball award for being the best player of the World Cup.







So, it goes to the penalty...Italy made all their five kicks ending with Grosso making his. He had made quite the impression in the playoff rounds with getting a penalty and scoring that beautiful goal to bring the team to the final. And he made the kick that sent Italy as the champs. Meanwhile, France were left to rue the miss by Trezeguet. Either he was trying to emulate Zizou as he was already sent off and almost simulated Zizou's penalty earlier in the game or he was just unlucky as he had been throughout the whole World Cup 2006 campaign for France. Unfortunately, the ball bounced off the top bar and not past the line. The only miss, and the one that mattered most as France came second. Italy triumphant and also jubilant! They danced and they bumped people around. Then came the one candid moment. There was a reason that Camoranesi kept his hair that long, and I guess this is the reason why. He was seated on the chair surrounded by all his teammates and staff, and then I saw a scissor. Now...the rest I guess you can guess it. I think it was Materazzi who was the executor as he pulled away the band that kept his hair tied like a samurai, and then snip snip and hair is gone!! And they celebrated like a cult! Hahaha....

Although I was glad Italy won as I was always in full support of the blues since dunno when, but I had to be really disappointed that they can only muster the win from the spot kicks. Otherwise, the Man of the Match performance by Pirlo was fully deserved, and the defence commanded by Cannavaro by his presence, his glaring headers, perfectly timed tackles and his great read of the game, there is not another generation of this kind of superb defending culture. Zambrotta started as a left full-back and converted to the right, and he was good at both ends! He attacks as well as he defends and he adds a totally different perspective to the Italian attacking game! Grosso is also equally comparable on that left wing. To think that Italy is being hit by the scandal and most of the Italy team is anchored by players of the clubs involved. Imagine, a defence made up of Juventus and Milan players: Buffon, Zambrotta, Cannavaro (Juventus), and Nesta(Milan) and the midfield controlled by Camoranesi (Juventus) , Gattuso, and Pirlo (Milan), and in attack Alex Del Piero (Juventus), and Toni (Fiorentina). Ahh....and to think you might not see them in Serie A next season. But they are immortalized as the best team with nominations of a few players in the team of the tournament namely, Buffon (awarded Lev Yashing award as the best keeper in the tournament and Golden Ball nominee), Cannavaro (nominee for Golden Ball award), Zambrotta (can be included as both best left and right back), Gattuso and Pirlo (also Golden Ball nominee).

But we will find out in the matter of days as the verdict will be out on the outcome of the scandal. Maybe they will spend a year without fame, glory, and comfort, and trade it with Serie B or even C, out of Champions League and even the prospect of the past titles being stripped away from them. No matter, because it's time to celebrate. Cannavaro lifting the trophy is very fitting, and lest we forget, Lippi with his cigar and kissing the trophy as what is again the best team in the world right now!

FORZA AZZURRI!! FORZA ITALIA! VIVA ITALIA!
CAMPIONE! CAMPIONE! CAMPIONE! CAMPIONE!
NUMERO QUATRO!!

FORZA AZZURRI!!

Italia...Italia...Italia....Italia....Forza Azzurri! That is still vivid in my memory from my Japan/Korea 2002 World Cup where I witnessed the first round of Italy's matches. The team has dramatically changed except for the usual suspect namely the defence marshalled by Cannavaro, Nesta, Zambrotta, and Buffon, and midfield consisting of Gattusso, Pirlo, Camoranesi, Totti, and of course Del Piero. Now, new names are spotted, Grosso, Zacardo, Gilardino, Toni, Barzagli, Bonera, De Rossi. They are getting younger.

The match was quite brilliant with lots of attacking plays. Naturally, Italians being known for their stringent defence was at its best as Cannavaro and Buffon did everything they are known for to stop the German attacks. I counted no less than 3 world-class saves from Buffon and countless tackles and headers from Cannavaro as the whole unit took the 2006 World Cup defence to another meaning. 1 goal conceded in 5 games, and the one goal being an own-goal is an achievement in itself. In midfield, the hungry Gattusso went for every ball and disrupted Ballack and co. for possession. Fortunately or unfortunately, the match ended with a scoreless but entertaining draw and another extra-time for Germany.

Nonetheless, I couldn't contain my excitement as it was drawing to the conclusion to another penalty shoot-out. Germany was well known for converting their penalties while the Italians more notorious for its misses, like Roberto Baggio and Luigi diBiagio. So, I hated for the Italians to go to penalties although they can trust in their keeper Buffon. However, the first 3 minutes of extra-time belonged to Italy as Gilardino and Zambrotta were denied by the woodwork. And then who would think the last 3 minutes went to the Italians as luck would have it. Out of nowhere, a poorly cleared corner with dying minutes was picked up by Pirlo. As if playing basketball, he delivered a no-look pass to an unmarked Fabio Grosso. YES! He was a left-back for God's sake! And then he struck a beautiful curling left-foot shot that whizzed past Lehman's far post. 1-0 Italy with 2 minutes left. Surely Germany cannot catch up with the little time remaining. Who would realize on the focus of relentless all-or-nothing German attack that Italians would haunt them with the ever-so-precise and deadly Italian counter attack that left Gilardino facing just a defender at the back. Then he passed it up selflessly to oncoming Del Piero and he killed German fighting spirit with a beautiful high-swinging curling shot onto the right top corner of the net. The Germans was devastated, not only the players, but also the supporters watching the match aka the 12th man on the stadium, the whole nation, and German supporters around the world. Italians joy and they totally deserved the victory. Now I can sense the trophy on their hands when they travel to Berlin for the finals. One down and one more to go. I have got it right so far, and we'll see if the other half of my prediction is correct. And then we'll see the finals of Italian finesse against French flair.

Speaking of Italians, it reminded me of Cars, which I just watched a few days ago. It's another heart-warming flick where it not only draws kids to the cinemas but also adults like myself. It has a lot of moral stories which can teach us many things such as, you can't win it alone; when you shun your friends, you can't get there by yourself; winning is not everything; trust your friends, and support them back with your trust. One character that I loved from the movie was Mater. He's this old rusting tow truck that is just funny, friendly and best of all, a prankster! Hahaha...well, a 7.5-8 out of 10. And yes, I suggest you watch it and live out the Nascar experience like never before. It's amazing the realism and effort into details the producers and crew put up for this movie. And not to forget, there's a bunch more animation movies coming out as Disney fight it out with Pixar!

Ahh....for me? I'm going to enjoy the culmination of the World Cup. It's ending this week, but let's hope the Italians win it all! As I said, Forza Azzuri!! Forza Italia!!















Warming up to the pre-match of Germany vs. Italy and trying to look less sleepy and tired...

Superman Returns.....to the screen

Holy Cow! It's left to 4 teams. No thanks to the continuous sleepless nights, accumulated fatigue, swollen eyes, lethargic daytime, sorrow and anger of results, and wonderful memories and agonising moments. Yes, England - OUT! South American teams (i.e. Argentina and Brazil) faltered in the curse of European soil, and no thanks to great showing by the host German team and the Old French soldiers reliving their glory days. Four teams that remains include a team that I had predicted to lift the cup earlier. ;p So Germany vs. Italy and Portugal vs. France. I predict Italy vs. France final with an intense 2-1 scoreline, which reminds us of that battle in Normandy!

Hahaha...well, soccer fever really occupied my life in the past 2 weeks. As the tourney progress to the semifinal stage, I get to go for a bit of a break. Though I may not be able to bet no more, I am tempted to put my stakes for the remaining 3-4 matches. I suspect another bloodbath in the coming matches in the kopitiam as I witnessed temper flaring not only at the end of the actual match itself, but the conflict throughout the pulsating game as watched by the patrons in the kopitiam for the Germany and Argentina game. Near misses and shouts of "referee kayu!" were heard echoing around. When goal no.1 came through the head of Roberto Ayala, and the score reads Argentina 1 and Germany 0, cheers were aloud, while gloom faces were spotted. I even took a peek at the emotion of Mr. Zainudin Nordin, the MP for the Toa Payoh-Bishan GRC who was present to watch the match, gleefully enjoying the goal. Then as full time lingers, Germany struck back to level the score and this time, the cheers were even louder as I can't tell whether it's true German fans or those who had put their bets on Germany tried to outdo the Argentina fans. Then as the nerve-wrecking penalty shootout ended and Germany triumphant, everybody left the scene some happy and ecstatic, and the rest disappointed. But the temper didn't flare like the ones shown live on TV!

Anyway, the past few days, there was two guests staying in my house. Two girls who overstayed their holidays when their parents flew back home earlier than them. My mom took them on marathon shopping trips, and I was pulled in to accompany my mom and them. My initial purpose was to visit the temple to pray while they go on their shopping trip, but I ended up tagging along the whole day. Nonetheless, it was a fun day where the heat, the food, and the tired legs stole the time away. At the end of the day, we went on to catch Superman Returns and let me tell you this my friends....Superman is back with a bang! Not only were the effects awesome, the costume spectacular, and the man himself, Brandon Routh depicted a Superman you want to feel affectionate for (of course I hate to admit he's charming). I really admire Bryan Singer for bringing to life great superheroes movies - case in point X-Men I &II. How I wish he can make another one just to satisfy our hunger for Hollywood Superhero. The story may not be Oscar worthy, but it's very very touching, and very human. A minus to the movie is just that it's a bit too long, and I had wished for a better and more devious villain. Although Kevin Spacey played a good Lex Luthor, he's just not evil enough to make Superman suffer more!

Well, maybe they have the sequel in store so they had to provide a setting for a more evil Lex. Contrary to the critics saying Kate Bosworth was not a solid Lois Lane, I must say she was quite the adequate actress for the role. So, my prediction an 8.5/10 for Superman Returns. He's back people, with the stark resemblance to the late Christopher Reeves. Now, if only Pirates of the Carribean and Nacho Libre comes sooner.... hehehe....