Chinese New Year is here

 

  

Every Chinese New Year, it’s Back to Basics for my family.

We return to our kampung (village).

We gather in a small humble house with no air-conditioning.  

We eat our reunion dinner in the hot and humid kitchen. 

We sleep in the sweltering heat. Amazingly, we manage to fall into slumber.

  

Chinese New Year is a time to reminisce about our lives, offer thanks for our blessings and pray for good fortune in the coming year.

It’s wonderful to have the family together. 

Enjoying meals together. 

Chit-chatting in the kitchen. 

Sleeping under the same roof.

 Grateful for the rejuvenating moments!

My Maid's Hard-Earned Money

Photo credit: www.health.com

My part-time maid bought a banana cake at her neighbourhood shop and gave it to me as a token of appreciation. After she has left, I removed the cake from the packaging and was horrified to find mould on the cake although the expiry date was a week away. 

I rang my maid and told her not to buy anything for me in the future and that she should save every penny of her hard-earned money for her young children. 

The cake cost MYR 4.50 only and I thought of just tossing it away. But, my maid said she could exchange it at the shop and would come over to my house the next day to collect the mouldy cake. Unfortunately, I reached home late the next day - around 10 pm at night. My maid said she would come over the following day.  

While watching TV, a thought struck me. I can toss MYR 4.50 away without thinking, but to my maid that amount is hard-earned money. 

At 10.30 pm, I put the mouldy cake in my car and drove more than 3 km to my maid's house. She apologized profusely for troubling me but was extremely delighted to see me. 

As I was driving home, I felt grateful for the wisdom to show my maid that I value her hard-earned money.

FSTEP MoU Signing Ceremony

FSTEP created history in Malaysia when it successfully arranged an MoU Ceremony between IBBM (Institut Bank Bank Malaysia) and universities in Malaysia. The ceremony was held in Lanai Kijang, Bank Negara Malaysia, and witnessed by

1. Dato' Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Minister of Higher Education

2. Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz, Governor, Bank Negara Malaysia
3. Tan Sri Azman Hashim, Chairman, IBBM

The MoUs were signed between IBBM and the following universities:
A) Public universities represented by MOHE (Ministry of Higher Education)
B) 12 private universities

1. Curtin University of Sarawak Malaysia
2. HELP University College
3. INTI Laureate International Universities
4. Management & Science University (MSU)
5. Monash University Malaysia
6. Multimedia University
7. Sunway University College
8. Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus
9. Taylor's University
10. The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus
11. Universiti Teknologi Petronas
12. Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR)


Click to view photo album "FSTEP MoU Signing Ceremony"


Video of the proceedings:

From HAZEL with love

Click to view album "From HAZEL to Kim Chow"

FSTEP Batch 5 participants in Team Hazel secretly organized a show to surprise me. I did not suspect anything at all until the HAZELians "evicted" me from the lecture room at noon. That was when I sensed they were up to something.

*

*

It was the Muslim fasting month so the HAZELians used the lunch break to get their act together. They busied themselves with cutting and pasting art papers and writing their messages of appreciation on images of their hands. I guess they also practised the song "You Raise Me Up" and planned their routine on the stage.

I wonder how they managed to sneak in the long stem roses!!!

When the class started in the morning, I caught the CEO (Chief Entertainment Officer) dozing off in his chair. Later, I found out that he stayed awake the whole night producing a movie for the show. Such incredible sacrifices!

I'm deeply touched by Team Hazel's moving show of appreciation. But, what I find most rewarding is the fact that they apply their soft skills expertly and produce a show with a touch of class!

Their leadership, teamwork, collaboration, creativity and generosity is awesome.

Thank you, Team Hazel. May God bless you with outstanding success in the financial industry. Love you all!

The video footage of the HAZELian show. 
Please wait for page to download YouTube video.

TO SIR WITH LOVE

Click to enlarge image

FSTEP Batch 5 participants are about to embark on their internship in financial institutions.

Team Hazel discussed plans to express their appreciation to the gentleman whom they adore - Mr Lee Khee Joo, Head of FSTEP.

They decided to present a plaque to Mr Lee on the occasion of his birthday to say TO SIR WITH LOVE.

I will always remember how excited they were when the plaque arrived and how proud they felt to present it to Mr Lee.

Mr Lee Khee Joo with Team Hazel

Thank you, my fellow Toastmasters

Click to enlarge image

I facilitated a Toastmasters meeting on 27 July 2010 and was presented with a thank-you card. It was signed by the attendees of the meeting.

It was only when I reached home that I had time to look at the card. And, I was stunned! The messages of thanks and appreciation overwhelmed me. I feel so blessed to be among friends who are so kind and generous with their compliments.

Thank you so much, my dear fellow Toastmasters!

Young Entrepreneurs

*Fom right: Ivan Ooi and John Lim, winners of the Silver award 
HSBC Young Entrepreneur Awards Malaysian final 2010

*

I marvel at the awesome duo from UTAR (Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman) - Ivan Ooi and Lim Boon Seong. They won the Silver Award in the HSBC Young Entrepreneur Awards (HSBC YEA) Malaysian final on 06 May 2010. And, they won it against all the odds!

Both are final year undergraduates at UTAR. Both are sitting for their final exam in their Bachelor's degree course.

Of all things, the HSBC YEA Malaysian final is held during the exam period. On top of that, they have less than a month to put their presentation together.

Amazingly, these two young men have crystal clear objectives and directions. They give top priority to their studies, and use the competition as a form of relaxation.

It is their destiny to participate in the HSBC YEA. The Malaysian final is held on a non-exam day. The day before the final is also a non-exam day. So, they strategically use the free day to polish up their presentation.

What strikes me is their passion, intelligence and eloquence. I admire them for their abilities to

*

1. package their innovative ideas intelligently and systematically.

2. enhance their presentation with interesting images and animation.

3. use their public speaking skills to dramatize, inform and persuade.

I'm sure Ivan and Boon Seong are an inspiration to their generation. Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!

The awesome duo

Ten Past Presidents Present

* *

From Left: President Ben Fong pose with the 10 past presidents - PP Tan Lay Theng, PP Freddie Yap, PP Lim Kien Chai @ KC Lim, PP James Arokiasamy, PP Katherine Mah, PP Khoo Nee Wern, PP Tony Lim, PP Teresa Choong, PP Kim Chow and PP TL Wuan.

On 20 April 2010, Friendship Toastmasters Club of Kuala Lumpur held its regular meeting. But, it's no ordinary meeting.

Past President Katherine Mah of DHL Regional Office in Singapore was in Kuala Lumpur and decided to visit the club after a long absence.

Past President James Arokiasamy, CEO of a pathology company, took the initiative to ring up the other past presidents and urge them to turn up at the meeting.

Past President Freddie Yap of P&O Insurance followed up by ringing the past presidents to reconfirm their attendance.

Personally, I wasn't sure if many past presidents could present themselves at the meeting. There were too many obstacles for a whole bunch of past presidents to meet at the same place at the same time. Some have to travel, some have to burn the corporate midnight oil, some have moved to faraway offices, etc, etc, etc.

On 20 April 2010, we counted the past presidents in the club. Incredibly, 10 out of 11 past presidents were there! They have decided to put their work aside and meet for old times' sake.

It was a glorious night! Heartwarming occasions do happen unexpectedly.

*

Thank you, Mr Blue Waves

En Hanafi from Blue Waves at Jusco Seremban

I went to the Jusco store in Seremban to do some Chinese New Year shopping. The place was crowded and the trolleys disappeared like hot cakes. I managed to grab one. Unfortunately, it was moving sideways instead of going straight.

*

The security guard at the entrance watched my drama with the trolley. I said to him, "Troli ini cacat." That's Malay for "This trolley is crippled."

I was in a hurry. I picked up the things I wanted, put them in the trolley and struggled over to the cashier's. Only after paying did I begin to wonder how I would get to the carpark.

I was wrestling with the trolley all the way towards the entrance when, lo and behold, I saw the same security guard standing there with a smile on his face. Beside him was a trolley. He said he had found a good trolley for me.

*

It's incredible! This gentleman knows exactly how to win more customers for Jusco!

His name is En. Hanafi (hope I got his name correct). He hails from the security department of Jusco known as the Blue Waves.

Thank you, sir! See you soon at ... Jusco Seremban!

Mr Blue Waves keeping a sharp lookout for customers in distress!

*

To Sir With Love

Chin VS, Leader of Team Bristol, presenting the gift to Mr Lee Khee Joo

It's the final day of the English Communication course. The FSTEP Batch 4 participants in Team Bristol did not spend the day on games or amusement.

Instead, they worked together to complete a meaningful task - writing messages of appreciation and gratitude to Mr Lee Khee Joo, the Head of FSTEP. In their messages they also expressed their appreciation to the specialists and staff, the facilitators and trainers in their own special ways.

Team Bristol's book of appreciation for Mr Lee Khee Joo

Team Bristol with Mr Lee Khee Joo



Team Bristol with Mr Lee Khee Joo

I'm honoured to be your teacher

The FSTEP Batch 4 participants in Team Bristol give me the sweetest gift I could imagine. A special cake decorated in my favourite colour for 2010 - Purple.

The sugar icing is shaped into purple ribbons with flower patterns. A neat row of purple flowers decorate the rim. A beautiful bunch of flowers adorn the crown.

To me, the cake represents the sweet memories of Team Bristol. The ribbons represent the lifelong bonds of friendship. The flowers represent the future that is bright and promising.

I'm touched by this Thank You card. My dearest Bristolians, I treasure your messages of kindness and appreciation. 

I'm honoured to be your teacher.

Seremban Cendol - A trip down memory lane

Click to enlarge

The famous Seremban Cendol has evolved from a pushcart to a big shop. It now serves several cendol recipes such as cendol pulut, cendol kacang, cendol jagung, cendol campur and cendol bandung. My favourite is cendol pulut.

The cendol station inside the shop. The people who work at this station are always in the thick of action. Besides serving the shop patrons, they also have to handle an avalanche of takeaway orders.

Once upon a time, the cendol pushcart was parked at this spot in the serene Seremban Lake Gardens opposite the bustling A&W outlet. Some people said that the delicious cendol could give the popular A&W root beer a run for its money.

*

At first I couldn't recognize this spot. It looked different with the Telecoms building on the left. You see, the building wasn't there before.



Haji Shariff's Cendol & Catering Sdn Bhd now operates from a big and airy shop painted in green - the colour of the cendol. It's crowded during lunch hour because it offers its patrons something that goes with the cendol - delicious rojak.


The extended area on the left increases the seating capacity. The rojak station is found here.
*

Haji Shariff's Cendol & Catering Sdn Bhd
No. 44 Jalan Yam Tuan
Seremban
Negri Sembilan

Kampar Chicken Biscuits - A trip down memory lane

CB Red Label Sdn Bhd

*

*

The famous Kampar Chicken Biscuits has a long history. The biscuits even have a catchphrase "A taste of its own". After the PLUS highway was built, Kampar became a town off the beaten track. However, the Kampar chicken biscuits remain as famous as ever.

*

After so many years, I couldn't find the shop. A friend had to be my navigator and we didn't leave the shop until we have shopped. The company, CB Red Label, has an advertising slogan "A Confectioner's Collection". So, we almost bought the whole collection.

The CB brand

The CB Brand has been awarded halal status. Its chicken biscuits come in 3 varieties:

• Crunchy Chicken Biscuits
• Light & Crispy Chicken Biscuits
• Soft Chicken Biscuits

The shop also sells other delicacies such as Kaya Puff and Dragon Ball Biscuits.

*

CB Red Label Sdn Bhd

72 Jalan Gopeng, Kampar, Perak

Tel: 05-4651748

*
*

Jalan Pasar - A trip down memory lane

It's the Aidiladha holidays.

I decided to visit a part of Kuala Lumpur that I haven't been for donkey's years - Jalan Pasar. It's a predominantly Chinese area with a Chinese temple, a bustling wet market and a myriad of Chinese eateries.

I wanted to visit an old shop that sells haberdashery - things used for making clothes. It's situated in a cluster of very old shops. I lost my way and had to circle the area a few times. Eventually, I found it on foot.

*

When I spotted it, a wondrous and incredulous feeling stirred in me. The shop looks the same despite the passage of time. The same old furniture. The same old cabinets. The same old layout.

*

The wall cabinets contain endless rows of haberdashery - buttons, lace, ribbons, threads, wool etc of every conceivable colour, shape and size. You're spoilt for choice. Amazingly, the prices are as low as ever. And, the customer service is as impeccable as ever.

*

I was attended to with great traditional courtesy. I was surprised to hear the owners speaking English to their customers. Years ago, they spoke only Chinese, their mother tongue. Now, they also speak Malay to their workers. So, I ended up speaking Chinese, English and Malay.

*

It's a worthy trip down memory lane.

*

If you want to buy haberdashery at great low prices and get treated like a VIP, you may want to give it a shot at this shop:

*

HUP LEE

No. 45 Jalan Pasar Bahru

Pudu

55100 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 603-9221 9221

Moon Raya Diwali

The FSTEP Batch 4 participants in Team Bristol undertake an English Communication project called "Organizing an Event". They call the function "Moon Raya Diwali" to celebrate the three festivals, namely Chinese Mid-Autumn festival, Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Deepavali.

In this project, the participants enhance their English communication skills in these areas:

• Holding a business meeting
• Putting proposals to the vote
• Electing committee members
• Working in cooperation and collaboration
• Performing as the Master of Ceremonies or emcee

The proceedings of the Moon Raya Diwali function are captured in these videos.

The emcee, Shima, starts the function with the salutations.
Then, she introduces her co-emcee, Chin VS, the leader of Team Bristol.


The Organizing Chairperson, Puteri Muna, giving the welcome speech.

Kim Chow, English facilitator of Team Bristol.

Shima and Chin VS giving an introduction to the Bristol Movie before it is shown on the screen.

Teams Manchester, Southampton and Milton Keynes displaying their showbiz skills.

Teams Manchester, Southampton and Milton Keynes displaying their showbiz skills.

Shima and Chin VS thank the guests and invite them to the foyer for lunch.

Click to view photo album "Moon Raya Diwali"

*

*

Pink Party

Mr Wong Chin Cheong, organizing chairman (2nd from left) and committee members

The modern art of teaching brings the real world into the classroom.

One of my English simulation projects is “Organizing an Event”. In this simulation, the participants learn how to use English communication in holding meetings, proposing new ideas, putting proposals to the vote, forming committees and conducting the proceedings in a dignified manner.

In their project, the FSTEP Batch 3 participants in the Team Franc proposed a colour theme. They were split on the choice of colour so a vote was taken. I voted for blue but the majority was in favour of PINK.

PINK? I had my doubts initially. I thought that PINK was unsuitable for the guys. My misgivings were finally laid to rest. When the entire Team Franc appeared in PINK, they created a sensation!

I soon realized that PINK was more than just a colour theme. It was the colour of unity and solidarity for Team Franc. The reason? The participants were placed in different classes after a recent reshuffle but were reunited for the English class. So, on the day of the event, PINK represented a special bond of friendship.



May PINK keep the Franc friendship alive no matter where they are or who they become. May God bless them in their internship and also in their career prospects.

Click here to view the Pink Party photos

In this video, the participants ask Kim Chow to give an impromptu performance.



The following video shows the Pink Party warming-up.

To 'Poh Poh' with love

The 'golden girls' of the old folks' home

The Selangor King George V Silver Jubilee Home looks after 27 elderly women whom we call 'Poh Poh' in Chinese. It is run by a vibrant supervisor called Mdm Linda.

On 24 June 2009, the old folks at the home were showered with the gift of love. About 60 young men and women descended on the home, bearing gifts and carrying buckets of paint and an assortment of paint brushes. They were the participants from FSTEP who selected the home as their CSR project.

The home needed a new coat of paint but it was costly to hire a painter. When the FSTEP participants knew about this, they decided to paint the building for free.



Well, you need manpower to move furniture around before you can even start painting. 60 people are a formidable force. They pushed all the beds and other furniture to the middle of the building. Then, they picked up the paint brushes and painted every wall, every beam and every plank. When the job was done, the participants had also painted their faces, hands and clothes. Then, huffing and puffing, they moved all the furniture back to their original positions.



The army of participants did more than just painting the building. They also cleaned and scrubbed the building, the bathrooms, the kitchen and the drains around the home.

One of the elderly ladies said to me, “These young people sang to us, entertained us, fed us and painted our home. Where else can you get this kind of treatment?”

When it was time to leave, many of the elderly ladies reached out to grasp the participants’ hands and said, “Thanks! Please come and see us again.”

Mdm Linda walked the participants to the gate. Tears welled up in her eyes and trickled down her cheeks. She never thought that these white-collar graduates would dirty their hands, drag heavy furniture around and speak kindly to the old folks. She said the old folks would treasure this unforgettable day.

Well done, FSTEP participants! Every drop of paint has etched happiness on the faces and in the hearts of the ‘Poh Poh’ of the Selangor King Geoge V Silver Jubilee Home.

Kim Chow presenting a gift on behalf of FSTEP. 
The home supervisor Mdm Linda receives the gift.

Thanks so much, SONY Malaysia!

Mr Allan Law, videocam trainer from Sony Malaysia

I thank Sony Malaysia and their videocam trainer, Mr Allan Law, for their invaluable help.

When Sony Malaysia invited me to their headquarters in Mid Valley City, I thought it was for a brief Q&A session on video recording. Little did I realize that they had arranged for me to meet their videocam trainer, Mr Allan Law.

I take my hat off to Allan. He’s knowledgeable and articulate. You ask him any questions on video recording and he answers with flair and clarity. He knows the videocam like the back of his hand. He demonstrates the art of video recording with admirable ease.

Allan answers all my questions to my great satisfaction. He readily shares his knowledge drawn from his personal experience. In particular, I appreciate his tricks of the trade.

Thanks again, Allan! Thanks, Sony Malaysia!

Allan Law surrounded by Sony equipment in the training room

Red Franc

Frankly speaking, I love the Red Franc surprise package! Who wouldn't? The surprise package comes with lunch, plaque, roses and card.

The meaningful plaque that has a touching message (click to enlarge)

Red roses from Red Franc (click to enlarge)

Franc in Red Attire (click to enlarge)

The FSTEP Batch 3 participants in Team Franc wore red on this special day to signify the successful completion of their English communication course. They dipped into their pockets generously to pay for a well-organized farewell celebration which ended with a special ceremony in the auditorium.

The celebration started with lunch in the cafeteria. An emcee started the proceedings and invited me to speak. Then, we savoured the various dishes and devoured the red hot chilli pepper chicken!

Mr Lee Khee Joo (right) , Head of FSTEP

During the tea break, we had a birthday party. We were honoured to have Mr Lee Khee Joo, the head of FSTEP, joining us in the merriment. Mr Lee spoke to the participants and advised them on their forthcoming internship in local financial institutions.

The emcee surprised the birthday boys and girls by asking them to speak. Although they were taken by surprise, they rose to the occasion and spoke articulately. They thanked Mr Lee and FSTEP for giving them the opportunity to enhance themselves.

After the tea break, we adjourned to the auditorium for the farewell ceremony. The emcee started the proceedings and invited me to present mementos to each and every participant. Then, the lights were switched off and I was asked to close my eyes. The moment the lights came on, the flowers and plaque popped out. I gasped in sheer surprise and then screamed with delight. Some of the participants broke into tears. Oh ... it was emotional!

I thank Team Franc for their kindness, thoughtfulness, generosity, hugs and tears. I love you all!

View Red Franc photo album (click here)

*