Last Holiday for 2008.....Hello 2009!

Just back from my last holiday for 2008 - Genting Highlands. 

Never been there but it's bloody cold (wind factor mostly) around 18 degrees. Was under-equipped for that weather & brought only some long sleeved tops & 1 long pants....even worse for kids as only 1 set each but they aren't really adverse to the cold (I think they really liked it though). Told hub that I think I am too used to our seaside vacs as the minute we stepped out of the bus, was hit by the hordes of people that I immediately got a massive headache (i.e. grouchy). The wet weather meant that most of the guests stayed at the indoor theme park which proved to be claustrophobic as 5 of the 7 hotels were fully booked for the 3 days we stayed there. It was meant to be a vacation but I don't think I had one - am soooo glad to be home in fact. Nonetheless, must remind myself not to complain too much cos at least manage to get away from the doom & gloom that clouded the past few months.....Genting news aren't fantastic which is in a way great when one's on vacation I guess :) 

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Happy New Year 

If 2008 didn't bring you joy, just leave it behind

Let's ring in the new year 2009 with good things in mind

Let every bad memory that brought heartache & pain go

And let's turn a new leaf with the smell of new year's wind

Let's learn from past mistakes & make amends for 2008 

Most of all, may this new year bring you lots of hope & cheer

(adapted from poem)

Have a great 2009 ahead! 

Interesting Hyperlinks

Here's a list of interesting reads to start off for the upcoming new year:
http://chinesefacereading.blogspot.com/
http://www.angelfire.com/id/croon/japan/china/facereading.html
http://www.jadedragon.com/articles/aow08.html

Always wanted to learn more but I am always reminded that I am student of all trades but master of none :)

After Christmas

Christmas came & went like a rocket-
Had a blast trying to get stuff ready like the tree, pressies for office staff (finally settled on nice orchids for the ladies & Christmas trees for the guys)
Kiddos got their usual Ben-10 & toys & new clothes
Caught up with some ol office friends for a chit chat....planning to do a few more catch ups after the New Year
Counted my blessings for the past year including a new job, new bosses, new colleagues, fresh starts, continuing friendships, healthy living (for 2009, looking forward to starting a new exercise regime when school starts next year with morning yoga/ gym sessions) & most of all counting the blessings with the lovies of my life with me...
Wishing joy, happiness & good fortune to one & all!

My favourite foods @ fast food restaurants.......calorie alert!

Here's a blog about fast food *hahaha*

Macs - breakfast: Big Breakfast definitely; other meal times: filet o fish (when I wanna feel less guilty eating Macs) & Big Mac (if I can't care less) & corn (for snacks)

Mos Burger - Terriyaki Chicken Burger

KFC - 2 piece chicken (crispy) with cheese fries (when I can't care less) or chicken oriental salad (when I want to feel good about myself)

Read this....

Everyone's talking about economy slow-down, jobs being at stake etc & out comes an article from Malaysia regarding reduced leave for its civil servants to (get this) "boost productivity & efficiency" & we are talking about reducing it from a whopping 30 days to a measly 25 days here....

The Director also said "The civil servants have been given a host of incentives and other allowances.So, the Government decided that after having received so much, the civil servants must produce," (I am like duh?? You know your people are not delivering results & you continue to incentivise them??) & to end it all Malaysian government departments etc are discouraged from "spending more to "improve" the level of their service".....I mean I want to work for Malaysian's civil service!!

Full article below for your reading pleasure....

Fewer days of annual leave for new civil servants in M'sia They will only be
entitled to 25 instead of 30 days. -The Star -->
Fri, Dec 12, 2008 The Star

By Sim Leoi
Leoi
PUTRAJAYA, MALAYSIA: Come Jan 1, those joining the civil services will only be entitled to 25 instead of 30 days of annual leave regardless of their tenure of service, says Public Service Director Tan Sri Ismail Adam.

Those who are already civil servants will have a choice of reducing their annual leave by five days or not in a move by the Government to promote efficiency and productivity.
Currently, civil servants who have served more than 10 years are entitled to 30 days of leave.
Ismail said civil servants did not need to get "unduly upset" by the option as they could still choose to remain under the old scheme.
"The option is given to see if civil servants are willing to sacrifice five days of leave for their service," he said in an interview here yesterday.
"The civil servants have been given a host of incentives and other allowances.
"So, the Government decided that after having received so much, the civil servants must produce," he added.
In a circular dated Dec 1, Ismail had said civil servants who were on probation, on secondment or temporary transfer, on any type of leave and facing disciplinary action would be given the
option.
However, Ismail declined to comment if the Government had plans for other incentives in lieu of the civil servants voluntarily reducing their number of leave days. Cuepacs president Omar Osman said he would be meeting with Ismail today to seek an explanation.
Meanwhile, heads of government departments and agencies have been reminded against spending more to "improve" the level of their service to the people.
Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan said measures to enhance public service delivery were supposed to help the administration save money.
Speaking at the launch of the Prime Minister's Department Quality Day here yesterday, he said that currently many government agencies often created new posts, promoted existing staff
members or gave other allowances as a way to boost productivity and efficiency.

Christmas Tree Around the World

Check this out!

http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-trw-xmastree-pg,0,7335460.photogallery?24

My personal favs pics above!