Nasi Tumpeng

29th January 2011, House Warming at Robert & Nina 's residential home =p

The hosts had been very generous in providing us the meals. We had Indonesia's famous Nasi Tumpeng. Which usually, is only served to celebrate important event. The philosophy of Tumpeng signifies the geographical condition in Indonesia, especially Java to be fertile island. The tall cone shape of the rice symbolized the mountain in Java as tall and magnificent. This unique dishes was served as a means to signify blessings for the house. This was followed by prayers and blessings by the invited pastor and many friends who love and supports this family.

All foods were delicious, including Nina's home-cook 'Bak mi', or Indonesian noodles. The guests had great time enjoying themselves in the house. The house-warming was a success. And not to forget, Himelda's Indonesian style cheesecakes and her signature Tiramisu were really wonderful :)

Dealing with today's Problems

I have been failing my drive tests too often that, I have reached to the point where... I am devoid of any emotions left.

What concerns me the most, is the money. I have spent lots of sums of money for the sake of getting a license, and I don't think I have had ever spent even that much for clothes. My mind told me that, perhaps I am not even meant for the license. Perhaps I don't have the talent for driving at all.... Though it feels sucks.. I just have to resign to the fate and ..the only thing I know is, well.. just pay the money for another try.

I did not have anyone to call too when I finished the test, except notify my best friend via text messages. My feet brought me straight to the place that I used to put my commitment & energy there.. yes, my former work place don 1.

As I sat down and waited for my meal, I felt slightly nostalgic feeling towards this place. The atmosphere, the vibe, the pace.... Though it is still as it is; small, old, smells of teriyaki sauce, not as clean and bright as my office, woody and a little.. dodgy ? .. I still have that sense of belonging and pride to this place. At least this is a remaining place that I still have some kind of triumphant feel, indescribable in words. At least this place acknowledged me to a certain degree.. And I know, I have decided to move on from this place, never coming back, but still, maintaining the relations.

My brief visit comforted me. Perhaps meeting my ex managers were the reasons, or was I looking back to the olden days. Yet, life moves on and Don1 have taught me that, I did able to climb to the top, no matter how many times I struggled there in the past. It was a success and I have to do the same at my current life situation, especially for my present job.

Christmas Dinner

Date: 9th December 2008, Tuesday.
Event: Don don Christmas Dinner.
Venue: The Italian

Starting of December

Feeling very pleased as I woke up on Saturday morning. At last I have private time of my own. The very first week of December, I could say, a new beginning for another level of my working life; working as a full-timer. I still work at the current restaurant that I am working, it is just a harder level to go through.

I was being transferred to the main branch at the city and it was expected that I learnt to adapt and cooperate with the system there. My first day on the 1st December, Monday, was the most difficult. Being scolded, pushed away and alienated caused me to feel pressurised. Yup, it made me feel discouraged and i almost cried during busy peak hours. At night I couldn't sleep and felt very sad..thinking of how I had to overcome this. I missed Don3 so much at the moment. Yet i kept telling myself, I had to be strong and everything will be all right.

However, thank God that I didn't feel alone. After I finished work that day, Marleen brought me to eat ice-cream and then Robert called me and asked how was it. Therefore, I just couldn't help it but cried for a while.. it was a relief, though made me looked so weak. Later on that day, I met Mindy and Alan, and it gave me another encouragement, as they are my seniors whom have gone through successfully what I just started. On the way home, I saw the moon and two planets; Venus and Jupiter. It was beautiful. I felt that the Creator of this view was telling me to remember, 'I am always there for you.'

Indeed, few days later I started to get used to the work. Even, I felt grateful to be able to work well with the manager there. It was not easy to work with him, but, I could see his good side, and quite pleased to feel his acceptance towards me as working partners.Also, I received feedback from him and I was very thankful for the compliment. Things that I felt intimidated turned out to be challenges that I looked forward for the moment.

On the last day after I successfully gone throughout the whole week I went to Don3 just to visit. Surprisingly, my visit was expected for my colleagues there. Felt so grateful to have the bond with them. At night we went to German Dining and had a merry time together. Aware that, things in this world is temporal, opportunity and chance of being together are precious. December will be a good month, perhaps the best of the year.

A Lesson to Remember

This afternoon, I went to my usual workplace to make sure everything is okay, and .. I found out things in a mess, out of control. As a helper, I understood my stand, and didn't voice out any compliments. Well, you just have to cooperate with one another, no matter how many disagreements you have with one another. But, in the end, I was the one who were asked to leave...

It was the first time someone chased me away for helping, and it happened in my own territory..
No doubt, I felt sad, and I cried...However, whatever happened adds experience that is worth gaining.

2 hours later, to my utter surprise, my colleague gave me a call to meet up. Thus, I went and we had a talk. We listened to each other's point of view about what had taken place...And the outcome is..., I learnt to comprehend what was actually going on from another's point of view and the good thing is, both of us could face each other and courageously forgave one another. Today has become a very valuable lesson, worth remembering.

Again...

another cut.. another scar. sigh..sometimes it just happen, due to high demand of serving lately ..and most of the time, it is always the same spot..however, my boss once told me that, "the more cut you have the better you will become." seems like the wound itself has better natural design than my previous cuts. cool ?

knife and blood

the result of lack of concentration or 'zero focus' while slicing.. tomato.. using my own knife.
at 6th august 2008.. which turned out to be not a very good day for me..

sashi don

my latest fish.. still not up to perfection.

Caricature

The caricature; Don3 Staff - Totoro Kingdom. The usage of iconography represents personnel of Don3 and some other key members.

IKEA

shopping for don3 with my two managers at IKEA ; pretty rare and unusual, yet fun =p

My latest hobby

a new art form to learn; my current motivator.

Hanna's farewell

Hanna san's farewell lunch & gathering together.
A dedicated fellow crew, known for her diligent and genuine heart.
Don3 - Robert's era, 13th April.

Current Journey

Accepted rapidly, I coerced myself to survive.
Numerous trials lie ahead, never ever I let myself fell apart.
Discovering new instructions, the more and more I strived.
Making valuable relations, never a lost, I regard.

The clock is ticking, ceaseless ups and downs exist.
Ambition burned within, a catalyst for the success that I owed.
Kinship which I made, encouraging me to persevere.
Reaching the mountain, the hardwork has been paid.
Realising  unexpected ability to manage, I feel satisfied.

Yet, the demands increased day by day.
The respected left the place one by one.
Being burdened more and more, fatigue attacked from time to time.
The moment keeps on knocking, wondering when will be my turn.
Certainly won't be long, a new journey lies ahead.
Surely indeed, it is  coming true.

Dedicated to Mindy

It's been more than a week since my ex manager, Mindy, has left Don3.
Well, it has been very valuable, having her around since the day
I tried to submit my resume to the shop. My first impression; this girl was very hard-working and extremely serious. When I was just a newbie staff there, she used to be the only female figure who gave me oral instructions on 'what I should do' and 'whatI should not do'.
I still remember my initial training period as a cashier with her.. and honestly i felt
pressurised & stressed! Yet, she always asked me to smile when doing customer service no matter how contradicting my own emo & condition of the day.
The result - I could do fake smile anytime now and no longer screw up whenever there is a 
long queue. Thanks to her training!

Not only being strict and almost 100% 'prefect like' supervisor,
there is something special about Mindy. Once you get to know her, you will discover that she posses excellent customer service, and no doubt, having rare talent. The title of 'Main Cashier Queen' simply suits her.  Moreover, I felt touched when I saw her defending the staffs when they were bullied by the customers.

A year of experience working with Mindy was worth it. She did scolded me when I made
mistakes. But she was patient and understanding. I like it when she was the only one who 
could sense ' something isn't right with Jess' when nobody does.
Besides, we are friends who have gone through laughters  and problems together. And I do cherish all the time we have been together. I wish her the best for her next career.
Surely she will become big boss one day! Wish you happy dai ga ze!

Crystal's Farewell Dinner

Date: 080308
Location: Rize on Brunswick Street
Comment: the Schezhuan Food here is just delicious!  

About Crystal: one of the cashier girls from don3 that I like best; pretty, smart and nice.
I love her friendliness and her smile best, especially her Pure Cantonese accent.
Wishing her happiness and success always =p

Oops.. someone got locked

no wonder Sandy took such a long time to come back from throwing rubbish outside.. well, as you can see; he got locked and couldn't get in! haha..poor thing - nice working with San, his food is always yummy =p

'Hi Jess'

my 'kind hearted' workmates sent me this picture while I was suffering at home (due to post surgery + flu + malnutritient) hikz.... miss eating with them. [17th Feb 08]

Absolute Girl-Power

today was the first time i realised that the window of my working place - Don3 was left opened. For certain fact, this window is hard to close. Firstly, it is heavy and so far only guys are strong enough to close it. The problem was, today we had 3 girls doing closing. So.. we (me, crystal & akiko) had to use our very most energy. Well, aint easy to describe in words; we counted 1,2,3, hold our breaths, screamed & ... laughed. =p even our neighbour from asian grocery's joni rushed to our shop bcoz of the commotion. Next time if girl-power doing closing again, make sure to close the window before any guy left the shop!