The last time I was here was 9 years ago. It was right before the Hyatt was bombed destroying partial of the hotel building. It was an alien place to me, but then again, tell me one person who doesn't feel like an alien on the first visit anywhere! Heck, I felt like an alien the first time I was in Langkawi! :P
Anyway, after 9 years, Jakarta has definitely changed so much! There are now modern buildings everywhere on the stretch of its main roads. What used to be squatter areas are now turned into high class shopping malls. It's like Tinkerbell's magic wand has been working for the past 9 years, turning everything in its path into something of the latest architectural design and of higher cost than the previous.
But the one thing so glaring that I can't help but notice is - Toyota has dominated the city! Toyota Avanza is undeniably one of the most favorable model here, paired by Xenia - a model carrying the Daihatsu emblem. One shouldn't be too surprised on the similarity between Toyota Avanza and Daihatsu Xenia; the two automotive companies are, after all, sister companies. Then there's Vios, obviously being the top choice for taxis. Rush and Fortuner also roam the city like ghosts in ghost towns.
A friend commented "Oh, you own one and now you're proud la your car is everywhere there!". Hmmm... the very least actually... Makes me feel like a conformer, despite the fact that Blue is one of the first 1000 Avanza in Malaysia. But hey, no one cares about that fact!
Don't get me wrong, I love Blue to bits.
But hey, better than having Blue's siblings as taxis! :P
Anyway, that particular observation have had me coined the term 'the Indo-Toyota land' for Jakarta. No offence, Toyota! I know you profit well here. Bravo!
:D
(And as a Toyota owner, I too know the reason why Avanza and Vios are abundance in Jakarta. Just so you don't go and give me a lengthy explanation. :P)
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
My Essay for PSDC's Interview
When the world's economic situation started to show signs of its crumbling down in 2008, I was scared of my own financial stability. After having a stable income for almost 11 years, one could not resist having more assets, which translates to piling on more credit to one's name. Having been a victim of Soro's doing in 1998, the words 'retrenchment', 'termination' and 'out-of-job' are those I would like to elude at this point of time.
Towards the end of 2008, the then Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abd Razak announced a stimulus package for the country. I was very sceptical. How can we maintain ourselves, when the whole world is shrinking? News upon news, printed and broadcasted, were talking of companies closing down, moving out or reporting loss. And Malaysia believes that it can sustain through this test of time? I wasn't sure.
Not until early 2009.
Then I saw it working. What the Deputy Prime Minister had promised the 'rakyat' was slowly showing its result. I, for one, started to see brand new cars with sparkling new registration numbers. And not only local cars, but imported ones too. So the 'rakyat' have started spending, slowly but surely.
What I learnt in Economics 101 was, spending will help in easing a country's recession. The more the people spend, the more the currency circles, prices become more volatile, more demand thus encouraging more supply, and before you know it, the economy is no longer in a recession.
But it's definitely easier said that done. And I think Malaysia has a long way to go in defending itself against this stormy weather. Food prices need to go down, as food and groceries are the main expenditure in any household. Petrol price need to stay stagnant, as any increment would justify food suppliers' taking advantage of the situation. The move to lower EPF contribution has helped many, including myself, to have a small spare cash. But what good would the spare cash do to the economy if most decide to just put it in the piggy bank?
There's much to be done.
But if I'm asked what do I think of the 2009 economic outlook, I'd say Malaysia will do fair. (Though honestly I think the whole world will still be scrambling and grasping and trying to breathe.)
:)
Towards the end of 2008, the then Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abd Razak announced a stimulus package for the country. I was very sceptical. How can we maintain ourselves, when the whole world is shrinking? News upon news, printed and broadcasted, were talking of companies closing down, moving out or reporting loss. And Malaysia believes that it can sustain through this test of time? I wasn't sure.
Not until early 2009.
Then I saw it working. What the Deputy Prime Minister had promised the 'rakyat' was slowly showing its result. I, for one, started to see brand new cars with sparkling new registration numbers. And not only local cars, but imported ones too. So the 'rakyat' have started spending, slowly but surely.
What I learnt in Economics 101 was, spending will help in easing a country's recession. The more the people spend, the more the currency circles, prices become more volatile, more demand thus encouraging more supply, and before you know it, the economy is no longer in a recession.
But it's definitely easier said that done. And I think Malaysia has a long way to go in defending itself against this stormy weather. Food prices need to go down, as food and groceries are the main expenditure in any household. Petrol price need to stay stagnant, as any increment would justify food suppliers' taking advantage of the situation. The move to lower EPF contribution has helped many, including myself, to have a small spare cash. But what good would the spare cash do to the economy if most decide to just put it in the piggy bank?
There's much to be done.
But if I'm asked what do I think of the 2009 economic outlook, I'd say Malaysia will do fair. (Though honestly I think the whole world will still be scrambling and grasping and trying to breathe.)
:)
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Welcome Home, White!
It was an accident. Yes, it was! The silly me had put White on the floor thinking that it would be the safest place from accidental step-ons.
But what I was not aware of was, how forgetful I can be at times.
So one morning as I got out of bed, crrrr-aaaaaa---cccc--kkkk... the sound went in a split second. I hardly remembered what it was. Darn! But the sound was so soft that I didn't think the damage would cause a big dent in my pocket!
I quickly stashed White in its usual place.
That was on Monday. And I totally forgot of the incident.
Come Friday. My heart screamed the moment I saw moss-like liquid-thingy hovering the cracks on White. What is that? Then I remembered...
The soft sound!
My heart stumped. It's dishearting enough to discover that this month's expenses has been blown out of proportion, what's more to know I have to get White's screen replaced. Such a silly mistake!
A quick call to Acer Hotline punched more holes in my vital-blood-punping-organ. RM700 max for a teeny-weeny screen? I wished my heart just stopped and I'd fall to die that instant.
Rushing to the service center in Times Square did not do me any good either. I was told to go to Subang if I need to get White fixed quickly. More days to stare at my silli-ness. More regrets to swallow. More pain to bare... *sigh*
The following Monday I sent White in. Feeling rather empty and lost, I was praying that White would come home safely soon enough before my travels. The service guy was pretty darn cold, making me feel even more dumb for thinking I'd never do such damage. No promises on the figures I will need to fork out, nor on the date I'd get White back. I left the place feeling all down and regretful.
The next afternoon, the service center called. A kind and polite lady slowly broke it to me that White's surgery would cost me RM400. Do I want to proceed, she softly asked. "Oh yes, of course!" I replied.
The following morning, another lady called. Not as kind and soft as the previous one, but still as pleasant. White is ready, she told me. And I was all smiles.
When I held White again in my hand, I promised no more silly mistakes.
Welcome home, White! I missed you!
:)
But what I was not aware of was, how forgetful I can be at times.
So one morning as I got out of bed, crrrr-aaaaaa---cccc--kkkk... the sound went in a split second. I hardly remembered what it was. Darn! But the sound was so soft that I didn't think the damage would cause a big dent in my pocket!
I quickly stashed White in its usual place.
That was on Monday. And I totally forgot of the incident.
Come Friday. My heart screamed the moment I saw moss-like liquid-thingy hovering the cracks on White. What is that? Then I remembered...
The soft sound!
My heart stumped. It's dishearting enough to discover that this month's expenses has been blown out of proportion, what's more to know I have to get White's screen replaced. Such a silly mistake!
A quick call to Acer Hotline punched more holes in my vital-blood-punping-organ. RM700 max for a teeny-weeny screen? I wished my heart just stopped and I'd fall to die that instant.
Rushing to the service center in Times Square did not do me any good either. I was told to go to Subang if I need to get White fixed quickly. More days to stare at my silli-ness. More regrets to swallow. More pain to bare... *sigh*
The following Monday I sent White in. Feeling rather empty and lost, I was praying that White would come home safely soon enough before my travels. The service guy was pretty darn cold, making me feel even more dumb for thinking I'd never do such damage. No promises on the figures I will need to fork out, nor on the date I'd get White back. I left the place feeling all down and regretful.
The next afternoon, the service center called. A kind and polite lady slowly broke it to me that White's surgery would cost me RM400. Do I want to proceed, she softly asked. "Oh yes, of course!" I replied.
The following morning, another lady called. Not as kind and soft as the previous one, but still as pleasant. White is ready, she told me. And I was all smiles.
When I held White again in my hand, I promised no more silly mistakes.
Welcome home, White! I missed you!
:)
Friday, April 3, 2009
Twilight
When Twilight was premiered, I saw many of my girlfriends going ga-ga over the movie. Being a person who tries not to watch too many lovey dovey movies despite being an all-time hopeless romantic, I raised my eyebrows when Twilight was in the list of to-see movies prepared by the other half.
What's so great, I asked myself. It's fictitious - yeah, like vampires really do exist and live like other mortals, my sceptic alter-ego lamented.
But my scepticism quickly hid itself away the moment the main character, Edward, said this to his love, Bella - "You are my life."
At that, my heart stopped and my whole body stalled. I was into the moment. It was such a beautiful thing to have been said by an immortal who cares none about life - he has it in abundance! But for him to make a mortal his life... there's nothing more sweeter! *sigh* (Bear with me people, I know some of my friends are laughing on the floor reading this!)
That line got me. I wasn't breathing since Edward said it to Bella. I was engulfed by my hopelessly romantic alter-ego, wondering why Edward-kind of vampires have never existed in my life! A hopelessly romantic vampire, driving a super cool sporty Volks "and handsome plak tu!" (that particular phrase was added by my by now-obviously-jealous-movie-watching partner).
Why oh why? Maybe my blood isn't as sweet as Bella's, contaminated by the conquer-e-wak in me, spoilt by my control-freak alter-ego, smudged with my short-tempered DNA. *sigh*
But what really made my heart stopped for close to a minute was when Edward softly kissed Bella's neck, lifted up his head, smiled and said to Bella "Is it not enough to have a long and happy lifetime with me?"
*SIGH*
(go on! laugh at me as you wish! :P)
What's so great, I asked myself. It's fictitious - yeah, like vampires really do exist and live like other mortals, my sceptic alter-ego lamented.
But my scepticism quickly hid itself away the moment the main character, Edward, said this to his love, Bella - "You are my life."
At that, my heart stopped and my whole body stalled. I was into the moment. It was such a beautiful thing to have been said by an immortal who cares none about life - he has it in abundance! But for him to make a mortal his life... there's nothing more sweeter! *sigh* (Bear with me people, I know some of my friends are laughing on the floor reading this!)
That line got me. I wasn't breathing since Edward said it to Bella. I was engulfed by my hopelessly romantic alter-ego, wondering why Edward-kind of vampires have never existed in my life! A hopelessly romantic vampire, driving a super cool sporty Volks "and handsome plak tu!" (that particular phrase was added by my by now-obviously-jealous-movie-watching partner).
Why oh why? Maybe my blood isn't as sweet as Bella's, contaminated by the conquer-e-wak in me, spoilt by my control-freak alter-ego, smudged with my short-tempered DNA. *sigh*
But what really made my heart stopped for close to a minute was when Edward softly kissed Bella's neck, lifted up his head, smiled and said to Bella "Is it not enough to have a long and happy lifetime with me?"
*SIGH*
(go on! laugh at me as you wish! :P)
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