Jingle Dingle Bingle.

Oh yeah... It's the time of the season again. Yeapz, you got it right. Christmas is here again. And that marks the ending of the year and welcome to the coming new year. I can see shops, shopping complexes setting up their Christmas tree around end of November. And so far I still haven't set up my Christmas tree as yet. Heh. But anyway, seems that everyone are In the mood for Christmas and enjoy that time when everyone can be with their friends and family, either exchanging gifts or having a good meal together, well... Too bad Malaysia don't have winter, or it would be a splendid one indeed.

Not leaving the marvellous food that are going to be eaten. Mouth watering indeed. Can't wait to have turkey (if there is) or any other yummy, delicious food. Haha. Guess the shopping buzz is going to start anytime soon. And for sure all the malls would be stuffed packed with people. If there's sale, I think I'd rather be at home rather than to spend hour finding a parking, an hour lining for the cashier when buying things.

What else? For sure there would be Christmas activities like caroling, gift exchange etc. Busy year end for me since my Church for the first time is going to have a musical. A big scale one. As compared to overseas like the U.S. When I was there I dare to admit it was kinda bored there. All the people there is like *poof* not raptured but are at home spending time with their families. Not much activities going on. No huge crowds in malls. Everyone is just relaxing in the living room enjoying the presence of each other. As compared back here in KL, is way different thing altogether. There's a lot of "action" here as compared to overseas. Lolz...

So I'm going off for a 5-day vacation to Hong Kong with my family starting from 3rd Dec till the 7th Dec. It was about 17 years ago since I last went there. Hmm.... Guess there's much to see in such few days. Oh well, at least I can go, won't grunt on that. So just watch out for updates about the Hong Kong Trip. That all for now..... Cheers people.

JoeltheYap note: I personally invite you (yes, yes anyone's who's reading this) to come for the Christmas Musical entitled "Christmas is Forever". It's going to be held on the 23rd of Dec 2007, at PGRM- 5pm. Hope you would be there!! ^^

Cheverolet Captiva Car Launch.

Finally what I have been busy for the past week have finally come to an end. Which is today: 27th November 2007. After calling a hundred plus people in a single say or so to ask whether they're coming for this event or not is not a fun job to do. Because as common as Malaysians can be with the "Malaysia Boleh" spirit, they can take a super long time to reply you whether they can attend the event or not. Which is not a good thing at all. As repeated calls to that same company or person, if that company's receptionist doesn't get fed up, I think I do get fed up calling them than they get fed up receiving my calls. Anyway, the event I was at is the new Chevrolet Captiva Car Launch. A SUV, 7 seater car. And I got to wear coat for this event, and that is my first time to wear a coat aka jacket.

So there was the morning part where the car launch was attended by the members of the media. And I get to see for myself a real car launch with my very own eyes and to feel the feeling, the atmosphere of the loud music and excitement of the new SUV car launch. With those fascinating lighting, video presentations. As below you can see those pictures I took.

And so there was also the night session where special guests where invited. International buffet was served. So I got to have nice sushi & sashimi, raw oyster. Though I thought it was like finger food as there wasn't any big plates to be seen except the small plates, I just had a few round of savouring the food. The programme was the same as the morning's one. People giving speech, those lighting technique on the launch of the car etc. It was great indeed. Both the car & food. Saw local celebs like Reshmonu & Hannah Tan, though morning had brunch, the night one can be said is a little bit more wilder than the morning. As all lights are so dim that I can't even see what food am I taking.

I have to say since I started my internship in the current company I'm in, I think my lifespan has cut short a few years cause I've been exposed to more smokers than my entire lifetime. Ratio can be 1:3 are smokers. When I was at today's event, mostly I see people puffing away. Gosh. I think the tax on tobacco has no effect at all. Well, guess at least for the next days I won't be that busy calling people up. And won't need to stay back in office till late at night. So yesterday I broke my record which is leaving office at 11.40pm. Phew......

Splat.

Didn't update much for the previous week, cause I was pretty much busy with office work. Admitting that I was much tired out easily. Now I got to know the Malaysian Customs can be pretty vain, as just for 400 invitation cards they can have nothing better to do but to impose tax on them. Which resulted me having to got office on a weekend when I'm supposed to be quite relaxed at home. That package supposed to arrive on Friday but waited almost all day long but disappointing-ly nothing came. Thank goodness I do not need to stay back in office and can go off on time. Which did not destroyed a plan to go for someone's birthday at that time.

And it was Saturday. Was told to reach office at 10am. Reached office before 10am. Waited, waited, being called saying that FedEx going to have an hour delay. Waited, waited, 11.30, 12.30pm... Nothing came, it only came almost at 1pm. What a long miserable wait I got to go through. Managed to finish those stuff at 4pm or so then headed to Church after that in a half dead mode.

So in the end I almost wrote hundred over names and addresses, mind you mostly are malay people's names. So I guess you all would know how long their names are... On Sunday had the weekly Christmas Musical practice. Literally was in Church from morning till evening. After that went home, change then went out the next moment to play badminton. After that dinner, reached home around 11pm, bathed, online a short while then sleep.

Guess I'm sure that I pretty much exhilarate myself to the very max. Lolz...

Careful.

It was usual Monday evening, heading back home from work. Was listening to the musical soundtrack through the earphone. Not suspecting anything amiss, I just strolled along the walkway enjoying the music and at the same time feeling quite sleepy. The thought of want to get home and have a nap stuck to my mind. Just as I was strolling, a Chinese man walked up to me in short whose intention was to borrow a sum of money to take transportation to Genting to meet with his friend or something like that.

The conversation starts with the man stopping me, introducing himself that he's from Beijing, China. Looking at me and seeing me as a 'fellow' Chinese asking me whether do I speak Mandarin. When the fact I know how to listen and converse. Blah blah blah, talking and "tempting" me to fork him some money so he can meet his friend. Well, at that time I was trying to be polite. But had already be determined not to borrow him any sum of money since it will be quite some amount need to have in order to get a transport to Genting. He shook hand with me though, like trying to be friends.

The China-man throughout the conversation, seems he's talking those kind words and so on just to make me feel sympathy with him. Sometimes I may be quite soft hearted but then nowadays the world is just too hard to trust. And it is a time where a thick face must be used and not to trust anyone simply. In the end I told he I do not have enough money to give him as that time I got 40 bucks and it won't be enough. At the same time I do not want to lie, so the truth I told him I did not have enough money was good enough.

That guy still persist on saying that it's ok that I don't trust him, promised that he will give me his handphone which looks quite "canggih". He wanted my hp number as well, but then I still held my stand and did not borrow him any money. At last, I managed to walk off but then that guy did said some things which I forgot what was it but for sure he's unhappy about it, which I think is what sort of person are you etc. Who cares anyway, I also do not know that guy and he ask me for money... If he wants to curse me or anything let it be. But back to you with all those curse words if he did say any. Went home, told my parents what happen, was been advised if meet this sort of people, talk to them super briefly and walk off.

That is because some may have cast a "spell" on you. And you would not know what are you doing. Well, an experience for me to encounter, on the way to the lrt station I thought to myself the many ways that I may "trick" him back. Like acting that I'm calling the Chinese Embassy whether they have that guy's record or some other weird ideas. But then, come to think of it, better not try them less if I want to get into trouble. That I do not want to have. Definately.

That leaves us people to be careful out there wherever you go. As it's not a safe world anymore that we're living in. Just be C-A-R-E-F-U-L.

A Trip to Neverland.

So it was a Saturday evening that I embarked a journey to Neverland. A musical of the legendary, every kids would know Peter Pan. Held in Istana Budaya. Tickets sold costs about RM73 - RM 200+. I did not became filthy rich in a day or had a windfall of cash falling from the sky. It was just some free tickets given by Rumah Sayangan. An orphanage home whom the organiser for this musical chose to contribute some funds. Show started at 8.30pm. The King's children where there. Douglas Lim, Adam C (from Hitz fm) where there. Not bad it was.....

Show started with their theme song, and after that a spotlight shine in the middle of the stage. 4 dancers looked up... And there came Peter Pan coming down. As if he came down from the roof but it wasn't. What a good start indeed. The rest is almost the same as the storyline, our very own local dancers where dancing pretty much gracefully following the music being played. The props also moved in and out of the stage without any noise. Skillfully done. Nice, creative sets done. Depicting Neverland, Hook's ship, the house and so on.

Had a mere chance to being able to go to the backstage but too bad can't find the person to bring us. And it turned out we (that is the Christmas musical committee) being able to go there another day, watch the afternoon show and be brought around the backstage. Awesome... Hope that will come true.

And I must say that the scenes where those casts, some where indeed flying in mid air. Of course with the help of technology which is the ropes. And at the end Peter 'flew' to the middle of the audience sprinkling some "gold dust" or some sort then back to stage. Coolly done. Guess if you want to go watch, I say the money you pay is worth it. The show is almost 2 hours long. You can go http://www.flypeterpan.com/ to check out for short video clip and some photos. At least it's a musical to remember for this year.....

So Far.....

So far what's going on... Well, had my birthday celebrated in a mamak stall. Cheap, good ambiance. At least is simple, no cleaning up to be done. Haha. Since was at work in the morning till evening so it's good to have a relaxing time in the evening. Not much hustle & bustle. Had meeting on technical issues for the musical. The meeting lasted for about 3 hours and it's not even completed yet. Haven't discuss everything and it's only halfway done. Many things to do, plan, and it's my first time doing this musical as a technical director. A challenging task indeed. At least I know that God's in control and he's the master planner.

Everytime when I listen to the tracks of the musical I feel pumped up & excited about the musical. My mind wanders imagining how majestic it's going to be. At the same time I think on that day of the musical I may shed tears of joy when it's over. Lolz.... I wonder why. Hmmm....

So far now waiting for the public holiday tomorrow and the coming weekend. To unwind my head a bit. Feel like lacking of sleep everyday. What to do? Working life's like that. What more can I elaborate on that? Then comes back Monday= back to donkey world. Heh.

Ps: I personally invite YOU. Yes YOU who are reading this to the musical that's going to be held on 23rd Dec 2007, 5pm@ Menara PGRM. IT's going to be a one time show. You miss it you're going to miss it for good. So come, enjoy the music, dance and colours of Christmas. COME, COME...

Believe-it-or-Not 2

Welcome to our 2nd segment of Believe-it-or-Not. Believe it or not, today (2nd Nov 2007) Joel is officially 20 years old. And cannot say that he's 19+ anymore. Too bad for that. And it seems that went the clock stroked 12, a series of happening which are not quite eventful for him that happened but at least it does mark down something in his memory. We'll go over to Joel now to let him tell you the story.

Hi guys, and so... It is true that a series of happenings did happen when the clock strike 12. Or I'd say when it's minutes away from 12. It all started when I was having a meeting to discuss about the technical things for the Christmas Musical. So the meeting went smoothly with lots of things to think of. And meeting ended, So headed to my car, realized my pocket was open and wallet wasn't there. Went back home, searched, don't have. Didn't panicked throughout the whole ordeal. So went back to the places I had been before which is to the place I had the meeting and to church. Searched and appeared nothing. No sight of my wallet. Fine. It's already 12 plus. Back to home sleep, already had requested half day leave so next day would do procedures to file police report and remake my IC & stuffs.

Next day came. Got a call at 7.30am from my friend saying someone called her stating they found my wallet. So gave me the number, I called that person who found my wallet on where to meet up, and what time to meet up. Settled, went to meet the person , was been told found it somewhere else (not the route where I thought the wallet was ought to be missing at) Which in the end for sure someone took my wallet, "ransacked" it, took the cash there is (15 bucks or so) then dump it somewhere. Coincidentally the lady was tying her shoelace when she and her friends are exercising. Was relieved that those important documents are still there. Thank God for His divine appointment for the lady to tie her shoelace and saw my wallet lying under a car.

Thinking that was end of things I went to the bank to withdraw some money since I was money-less. Press those buttons, waiting for my cash to come out. No cash come out. Oh boy, good thing there was the lady who works in the bank and at least I can seek assistance from her. In the end I got to fill up some form to inform them that the machine did not "gave" me the money. So now I'm 50 bucks short. Got to go to another machine to withdraw another 50 bucks. Oh well, everything has it's purpose to happen. As far as I was, I did not murmur or complain. I just let things be at it is since there wouldn't be any use complaining the whole day feeling sulky at it. But more or less I take it as a funny thing that happen. But for sure my parents aren't that happy I lost my wallet, that's for sure.

So far nothing unusual happen as yet. Don't know what events that's going to take place for the day and I just flow along with it. Haha. Thank you for your wishes, sms-es for my birthday (appreciate it every much). And thank you for taking your time to read my Believe-it-or-Not. This is JoeltheYap. Signing out =)