I forgot that we Ken and I were supposed to utilize the TGIF coupon that we got when we had dinner a while back.

“Syaf, I thought we were supposed to meet-up tonight,” Ken asked.

“Eh… really ah?” feeling a little puzzled, “but I am on the way home already. Hmm, what about tomorrow (Saturday)? Sunway Pyramid? Good? Lunch? And then bowling?”

We agreed. I really feel happy whenever I have the opportunity to hang out with friends. As both of us are usually busy with work, finding the perfect time is always a great feeling.

***

We had lunch at PappaRich, Sunway Pyramid. Since it has been a week since I last ate nasi lemak (I am watching my diet. My intake of nasi lemak is only once a week), Ken and I both ordered Nasi Lemak and I ordered “Milo Dinosaur”. I know Milo are usually for kids, but I was curious about “Milo Dinosaur”. Such a nice name.

Speaking of PappaRich, don’t you think that eating at Kopitiam is now a trend, just like the Mamak’s? Forgive me if I am a bit slow to notice it, but Kopitiams are now everywhere, especially Old Town Kopitiam. I remember my fave was Uncle Lim’s but they do not have it anymore in Pyramid, so I had to eat at PappaRich.

The food was okay, the price was not bad and I love the WiFi. I wanted to update my blog “Live” from PappaRich but I was so absorbed by the food that I dare not touch my laptop. So we just took pics.

***

Bowling was on the agenda as well.

We arrived just on time. A company had apparently booked all the lanes by 3pm. We arrived around half an hour past two, but already some excited company executives already sat at our lane. We booked two lanes so that we could play faster. We occupied lane 10 but Lane 9 had been occupied by a few people and they already put their names.

They should realize that their games only start at 3 sharp. It was still 2 something, so why the *toot* did they occupy OUR lane.

Not wanting to make a big fuss, we adjourned to another lane far from them.

Ken beat me, as usual. Let’s not even talk about the game. I played better on the first game. During the 2nd game, I was already about to give up.

***

J Co. was next on our list.

This is what Kenneth had to say about it.

My meeting with Syafique Shuib today at Sunway Pyramid ended up with having a video show at J-Co Donuts & Coffee using his superb clean dust-free Dell laptop. We both ordered 2 Oreo donuts together with 2 Choco Mint drinks. They gave us 2 extra normal donuts which didnt taste that good coz it was filled up with just sugar icing…

On November 1st, I asked my friend, “Guess what happened today, a year ago?… I went for my first round of job interview at ntv7″

Then on November 2nd, I asked my friend, “Guess what happened today, a year ago?… I went for my second round of job interview at ntv7″

Then on November 3rd, guess what I asked my friend? No, I did not go for the third round of job interview. Look at the calender. November 3rd, 2007, falls on a Saturday. I went for the third round of job interview at ntv7 on the 5th of November.

I had never been to ntv7, but when I stepped inside the office, I can definitely experience the “Feel Good” ambience. I remember filling the form on this huge red sofa. It was really comfortable. I counted every second and every minute, before meeting the Producer for the interviewing session.

When I went for the first round, I knew I would have a tough competition since there were other people as well. When there are so many people wanting the same thing as you, you sometimes feel you need to shine brighter then the other candidates, or sometimes you feel they are better than you and your chances are little to none. I felt a little intimidated since I wasn’t as stylish as the other candidates.

The first round was with the Producer alone. The second round was with the Producer and Executive Producer and the third round was with the Producer, Exec. Producer and the Human Resource Manager. I can definitely say it was nerve-wrecking.

I went to the interview by just being myself. I did not need to put on a diva-ish persona or a fake accent. I was myself. Simple me.

When I was told to go for the third interview, I knew I had to perform well during the interview. Just imagine you had gone through two interviews previously and had answered a lot of tough questions, and you just want to pass the third interview and secure the job.

During the third interview, I didn’t have to do much except a Stand-Up. I had to pretend I was at a Cross-Over outside of the studio. The hosts would toss to me and then I had to do my ‘thing’. The bosses were laughing when I did it, and I took it as a good sign since they were entertained. (I hope they were entertained).

After it was over, I knew I wanted the job so badly. I have gone through three interviews and to nail it would be sweet. But if I didn’t get it, I would be a bit upset. Who wouldn’t right? I kept telling my friends, “It’s so close yet so far”.

Lucky me, I got the call from ntv7 on 6th of November, a day after the third interview. I started my duty as a Broadcast Journalist on the 13th.

It all started with a dream to work in the broadcasting industry.

The rest is history:

5 Things I Did During Hari Raya

First of all, I want to apologize for this super-duper late reply.  I have a very good reason for it. I am based in Shah Alam and the apartment does not have an internet connection. I am also on holiday so I am constantly on the move. So, here I am, in Starbucks (thankfully!) with a working internet connection.

So, what I have been doing?

1. Raya preparations have been a little extravagant for me this year as I spent a lot of my hard earned money on new stuff! I guess it is normal to do so especially when you have the means to do so. I will make sure to spend less next year!
2. My brother is back from New York, so much of my time is to drive him around. We spent the first day in several places. We spent the Raya eve in Shah Alam, woke up at 6am to drive all the way to Kuala Lumpur because my mum wants to pray at our neighborhood. We then adjourned to Jalan Ampang to visit my grandfather and grandmother’s graveyard. We noticed a lot of beggars at the graveyard, much, much more than the previous years.
3. I have been visiting most of my relatives from my mother and late father’s side. From Shah Alam, we travelled to Klang, Rawang and back to Kuala Lumpur. This is the opportunity for us to meet each other and sometimes we only get to meet once a year (i.e. during Hari Raya!). Afterall, Hari Raya is about togetherness, kan? And of course, it’s about the food, too!! Delicious food!
4. I have been receiving a lot of Raya cards this year! The majority were from clients that I have worked with (I love the card from Honda!). Nevertheless, I am thankful for my friends (both bloggers, and otherwise!) for giving me Raya cards! It means a lot! My boss yelled at me from across the office saying that I got a card. A News Producer said to me, ”Tak sia-sia kita kasi Airtime…kan dah ada peminat!” :D 
5. I spend one whole day trying to answer questions given to me from a final year Journalism student from Taylor’s! She is doing a research on lifestyle journalism and apparently she thought I am the best person for her to interview (hmm..!) and she has seen my works on The Breakfast Show. Usually I am the one doing the interview and wanting to get intelligent answers from my interviewee but this time, it is the other way around. I hope my answers are alright!

How about you? How did you celebrate Hari Raya? I hope you had a great Hari Raya celebration. Save me some food, okay?!

I am on week-long holiday and I will be spending quality time (YEAH RIGHT!!) with my big bro and mum!

Again, Selamat Hari Raya! Maaf Zahir dan Batin!

SS

FROM THE OFFSHORE GAS STATION TRIP… I MADE ANOTHER OUTSTATION TRIP TO KUANTAN

As mentioned in my previous entry, I was in Terengganu from Wednesday (17/9) and Thursday (18/9). On Friday, I went back to the office. I finished my stockpiles before I left for the Lamit trip, but i had to stay back on Friday to monitor the editing for The Breakfast Show Raya Special. Since I went to the recording for our second day of Raya show, I had to sit next to the visual editor and explain to him what was on so that we can get the visuals right. I stayed back until 2.30am, Saturday morning. I reached home around 3am.

6.30am I had to go back to the office because my call time for the Kuantan Trip was 7am. Hectic, I must say. Not much sleep. As soon as I board the bus, I just slept throughout the whole journey. I knew we made some stops, but I was just so sleepy.

I went to Kuantan under the invitation from The Body Shop for the International Coastal Cleanup 2008. There were around 140 volunteers including a bunch of students from my ex University. (High five, peeps, for the effort!)

By the time I got the interviews with the YB and the GM of The Body Shop Malaysia done, the group were about done and boy oh boy, they found a lot of trash. I can’t remember the exact weight, but among the weird items found were mattress, used condom, car bumper, and many more!

I did my part by helping The Body Shop team put the stuff in the truck. Yep, they used a truck to collect all the trash. It’s great that this event is organized so that it will create awareness amongst the general public. I am sure we all love to go to the beach, but not many of us actually keep everything clean.