Here and there

Last February to early of March my wife and I went to the peninsular for a short holiday. I didn't expect too much from the trip but it ended with lots of memmories. I have my own mission which was to visit my old university in Minden Penang and in Tronoh Perak. The direct Airasia flight from Kuching to Penang was superb because i prepare everything thru the net starting from the place to seats till the food that we consumed in the plane, i ensure that both of us had enough and feel cosy and yes we did! Penang airport is still under renovation, but the design is very similar to KLIA nor KIA. 1st day in Penang, after checked in at the inn, I immediately brought my wife to visit USM main campus, the matriculation block, the clinic and some of the dewan kuliah there. It changed a little bit i guess. The guards are more strick, more new buildings too...Later we took the bus to KOMTAR and sight sseeing there...We went to Perangin Mall while waiting for cousin Jamie whom later brought us round Island. Unexpectedly we went to Penang Hard Rock cafe for dinner. I never been there and little that i know that we had hard rock cafe in Penang. The weather that night was very bad. HEavy rains and thinder caused massive jams due to some fallen trees by the road side. But Jamie was so preofessional in her driving that Michael Shumacer also might lose if they were to compete in litar sepang... oh, it was flooded too everywhere.. nothing new i guess. Thas't one of the 7 wonders in Penang. hehehee... Zen, the foods were sumptuos, up the brim, extravaganza and delicious.. I don't know whether Kuching have things like this or not... The live band from Philipine was so entertaining because not long after that, 3 of us were already dancing at the front stage... whooo haaaa.... The ferry ride I guess my wife was the happiest person in the world when we took a ferry to Seberang Prai. Like Penang, the ferry also did some makeover. 13 years back, the vehicles area are located at the base of the ferry while the top lever is occupied by passengers. Nowadays, the passangers is sharing some of its space to the vehicles. I think it's one of the way to improve throuhput i guess... but they should not overlooked saftey... The Prai bus station also looked different, the Parkson and the food stall are no longer there.. I wonder why... The 2 hours bus trip to Medan Gopeng was so fast. I slept the whole way because i know i need the energy to explore the next city where i spent 4 years of my lives in STAR and USM Tronoh. That evening, we were taken care by Ruth, my wife's cousin. With the rented car, I managed to see all plan places such us Tronoh, USM KCP, Taman Maju , TESCO, etc. Seri Iskandar really went under a great changed!! Lucky those students, last time we could only see civilization after an hour drive to Ipoh, but now it's a stone throw!! The Express Train Ride That Saturday morning, we planned to ride on train from Ipoh to Kuala Lumpur. It was a new experienced to me and my wife because besides commuter, LRT, MRT, STAR and city link, i never ride on a train. Frankly, i don't like it because my seats was facing to the opposite side of the train and it casued a headache becasue my brain need to adjust along the way to KL and added to that, the toilet odour was so strong because it was just outside of the train, attached to the next couch. Anyway, just called it "experience"! To be continue... TAG: KL, Met Sister Ivy and family, Tiara's Inn

He ain't heavy, he's my brother...

IT was 5 o’clock and I’m still waiting for my turn to be interviewed. Everything seemed to be perfect only that I dropped my handphone in the car while I was getting of the car. It was my 1st time being into Hitachi compound. It was well known as KOMAG before and later it was take over by the Western Digital and finally Hitachi. I managed to see the person’s name who is in the room and being interveiwed currently. He jotted down Johnny. No surname or I couldn’t figure out what race he is. So cunning, I reckoned. Giving a very little clue so that people won’t know yourself. Around 5:15pm I saw a well known just came out from the interview room. Oh, what a small world it is. We chat for a while, wishing each other all the best and then I was called into the same room where 2 chinese interviewers waiting to interview me. I went out from the room around 6pm, with mix feeling. I walked straight to the car and saw a misscalled from mom. I didn’t called straight, only untill reached the Sama Jaya FIZ main gate then I dialled the number:

Me : HI mom, what’s up?
Mom : Yes I did. I have a bad news. Are you ready to hear it?
Me : Ok, what about?

I didn’t know the bad news was REALLY a BAD news to myfamily and I…

Mom :Igat has passed away!
Me : Passed away??! Which Igat?

Still hoping it was someone else’s Igat…

Mom : Our Igat lah… please come over, now..

My hands started to be shacky and at the same time I’m driving home. All the bible words which i memorized since young non is about the preparation of death… I just might to concentrate on the road and arrived home in one piece. I mamaged to call my Snah too. Thank God we both managed the longest journey home of the time!

Arriving home around 6:30pm, I search for mom 1st. Anddy, Dad, Ezra and Beth, were at already there. I immediately hug mom from the back and cried like a little baby. I cried and I cried as I ask her why Igat need to leave us so early! He wants to borrow money from me but why he break our promise? I was willing to lend him the money but why he is not here anymore? I cried again! At that time, I saw other 2 nephews, Nevin and Nigel arrived in another car. One of them, I can’t remember which one, vomited as if he was drunk of beer. Around 7pm, the big sister arrived with a loud cry from the kitchen entrance.

Ivy: I have no brother anymore…

then continue to cry… 6th January 2012 was indeed a memorable day for Toda’s family. We lost our beloved brother Igat but it was for temporary lost for we are meeting again soon together with our creator.

VSS

It’s 30th November and 4 more days, it will be my 11th year anniversary of working in this company. Today is Tuesday and it’s the 1st working day for this week since yesterday it was a public holiday. I feel want to take another day leave since I apply for the VSS and I really couldn’t wait for the final result. The morning meeting was as boring as usual, unlike the previous boss, Mr SHLee, he’s from the equipment background and he also knows about the process quite well and none can bluff him and with his killing questions, engineers are aware of the daily issue and they know their priority at least for that morning. Engineers talk and share their opinion. But different from the current situation where engineers were either blank or do not know anything or they rather keep thing among themselves. Different bosses, different style , yes it is…
Since I was in Etch module, the module manager comes and goes. Our 1st module manager was Dr Seb of Korea, CYang of Taiwan, DG Y of Korea, MY Kang Of Korea, SFLee of Malaysia and the current MM is HS You of Korea. Wow, I can say the ration is high since I was in Etch for about 9 years and my MM are 6 of them, so it’s 6:9 and tell me who got the problem? Is It me or the top management?
Group meeting was also boring. VSS kept people wonders and the mood was not at work place but instead else where. After the morning meeting, when for my normal breakfast, not knowing that would be my last breakfast in the company. I forgot what I had that morning but the VSS news was getting hotter. After breakfast I quickly go to my place and resume my work. My 1st task on that day was the week 47 wafers scrap report. Out of a sudden I was touched from behind and it was MR Y and he called me into the office and it all started after that.
So here I am, the VSS holder from x-fab, resign voluntarily so that the company may survive, until when, I don’t know. I am one of the martyrs and besides me is Mathew Sawing, Angela Deborah, Angelina Thomas, Rhuzlina Ejan and the list continues. I think in that eleven years working there, I said it’s enough for now. Let me discover some other different things to do, away from the semiconductor. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank ex Employee X-Fab for giving me the chance to work in your company for about 11 years. I experienced so many things and it turns me to become a professional. Last but not least if Fab 2 and 3 open, I’d like to rejoin you again. Gutten Tug!

Cool Saturday Morning..

Today i woke up early, not that i want but due to the mean sore throat which i had since last week. This week i was given a 2 days sick leave due to high fever and ya.. feeling not good here and there. But the leaves is nothing due to my sleeps were disturbed by the heavy dry cough.
Last week was another history in the making. Its another new and challenging stepping stone which we made together for the benefits of everyone. No, it's not having a baby or children, but it;s more than that. Kate was really an icon to us. We want to build something near to her grave. Just in the matter of time.
Oprah finally reached her final 25 years season and i watched the last final 3 show without fail. As usual tears would automatically drops when you are so happy for someone or something. Few lines which I'd never forget when a question came to her sounds like this>>

Q: Oprah, what makes your show so successful?
Oprah: It's my team, I and Jesus!

Immediately i grab my blackberry and send her a short message:

"Dear Oprah, I'm david from kuching sarawak, Malaysia. The show reall touched my heart and I learn how to appreciate myself everyday. God bless"

Last night is the 2part of the Walking Dead, the most remarkable drama i ever seen. It's all about Zombies and how you plan to live in the this broken world. To those who live, they must keep themselves alive and fit. We understood that during that period, everyone wants to be a leader and superior. How to manage this? Hope Oprah will have the topic on this soon....

The night was so long. The cough became worse and worst. Pity my wife who had to deal with it. It's unfair though. But she's a tough lady I know that! Everytime i woke up at night, my sleeps were disturb by the itchy throat and this morning i feel so tired. I have no plan today, to sleep perhaps. As usual i check my blackberry for Facebook and sms from last night. Hmmm an email.. let me read it to you...

"Got your email.
Thank you for watching the finale.
I could feel your beating hearts, along with mine, through the TV screen.
I'm off to take a little rest, and then I'll get busy working on OWN.

Take care of yourself.

I'll write soon,
Oprah "

A birthday, a reunion and a funeral

Last Saturday my wife and I attended Melcome’s daughter, Penelope Cloe’s 5th years old birthday. It was my first visit to Melcome an Alexia’s house since they’d moved back to Kuching from Penang. Melcome’s house’s is located around Stapok area and believe me, it’s like going around a round about without finding the way out of it. We we’re lost! Thank God we have cellphone nowadays otherwise we would have to search for a public phone and it will delay the party. Thru phone, Mel directed me until I found his big residency. Then its Simon and Lennisia’s turn then John’s. At that time, Aidan and Judy, Aaron and Regina were already arrived. I saw lots of children inside the house and Melcome’s mom was there too. David, Zamery and Alan arrived seconds later. Wah… this is not only a Birthday party but it is also our reunion from USM batched 1999-2000 I reckoned. Too bad Henry and yuhanna and Jusijo were not around. Otherwise it will complete the empty seats. J That evening, apart from the birthday party, I had time chatting with my long lost friends. I think it has been more than 10 years I have not meet John and David Andrew. They are doing so well I life and also in every factors. I can say each one of us already contribute to the society and though some of us have no children YET, it doesn’t mean that our live is boring, but we look it at different way and perspective. Some of us even don’t want children and some of us are not ready to become parents. So time factor is important here. The Friday night ended well around 11PM. everyone were so happy and of course exchanging numbers thru cellphones so that we can see the pictures taken thru phones. Facebook is not a strange word tho. Everyone has it.

----- Sunday Afternoon ---

I saw blood everywhere when I open the fron gate. Gosh what happened here? I immediately walked to the patio where I saw Kate was lying helplessly, the eyes have no response to the rays if light but I believe she still could here me talking to her. Kate’s tounge was half damaged due to her own action. Yes, she was spiritually and mentally dead but physically still alive. She doesn’t feel what ever she did to herself including bitting her own tounge until it bleeded so badly. Kate was no longer herself starting that afternoon. I saw my wife was struggling in everyway to help her. I myself was so allergic to see a massive ammount of blood wanted to faint at first, but I pray for strength to support my wife. I called my brother and with difficulties talking and crying, I murmered slowly to him; Word by word; “just put Kate to sleep because she’s in pain. “ That was the hardest decision I ever made in my whole life but that was the best for Kate. The vet came half and our later and he carried the serum to put Kate to sleep forever.

When the Vet arrived, my feelings became mixture. Should we just let Kate go or should we give her another chance… I whisper to my wife by looking at Kate’s condition, ther’s no way for for Kate to live without a propper tounge because she needs tounge during eating and drinking. Surprisingly my wife was with me. WE agreed to let her go though it was very difficult to us both. But we have no choice realy no choice… The Vet turns Kate facing the heart and inject her heart with the killing jap and within seconds, Kate did not move at all. The vet declared Kate died around 4.00pm local time.

The weather started to be gloomy and windy. My wife started to dig a hole just near to the place where Kate was born. I started to do the cleaning and burn the newspaper which was full with Kate’s blood. We were alone at that time. Even Dresden and Brussles didn’t bark as usual yet they were as quiet as the mouse. After everything was settled, the rain poured down like cats and dogs. The thunder strikes everywhere. We took the opportunty to rest and I fall a sleep.

Time flies so fast. IT was already 7pm. I sat at the dining table while my wife made a cup of coffee. The rain outside was subsiding but the condition inside the house was tensed. My eyes were red and wattery and out of a sudden, my wife came to me and hugged me so tight. We burst into tears. I was so released and I let everything drained out of me. Same went to my wife. We do really missed kate but God loves her more. We will missed her company during bed time, we will missed her tantrums during meal time and we will not see her waiting for us when we come back from work. She’s clever, intelligent, smart, palyful, adorable and she’s my third dog that I have besides Dresden and Brussels. We named her Kate, borned on the 8th or May 2011, name taken from Princess Catherine married to Prince William somewhere in April this year..

Rest in Peace Kate

8th May 2011 – 2nd October 2011