2012 CNY Part 1 Thursday, January 26, 2012

We are back from our CNY Part 1, back from my hometown on the 4th day of CNY. Thanks to another long weekend next week, we have decided to delay our trip to Michelle's parents home till then. This gave us ample time to spent in my hometown.

As for Myra, she enjoyed herself a lot. She had some really great time playing with her cousins and uncles (my brothers). Michelle and I could relax ourselves and spent time chatting with relatives without bothering about Myra. We could even leave her sleeping in 1 house and went visiting to another relative house, knowing she would be absolutely fine even after she woke up. Her "jie jie" cousins kept her occupied.

Every night she slept late around 12am or later. This year, she could accommodate to fire crackers noise better, tasted lots of snacks and cookies, tried carbohydrate drink, ate dried meat "bak kua", etc. She was having the best time of her life.

The good thing of being a child is that you'd have lots of new clothes during CNY. Myra got many new clothes, even her pajamas was a new one. We were blessed because my good friend's wife hand made 2 new clothes for Myra.

After few days surrounded by relatives who talk loud, very loud, now we are back to our humble home with just 3 of us, real serenity. We will be off again for our part 2 in a week's time.


Myra with her cousinsThe young one didn't want to lose out in preparing reunion lunchIt was a war zone starting hour before CNYMyra was coping well with the fire crackers noiseDay 1(behind the scene)1. the "uncomfortable one", 2. the "kayu", 3. the "lady boss", 4. the "not lady like", 5. the "even not lady like",  5. the "tired look", 6. the "proper one"I like this shot a lot, too bad it was out of focus :(

No Feel At All Friday, January 13, 2012

The orientation training in new company really suck out my energy. It was a great experience but traveling to different unfamiliar locations everyday in peak hour is not fun at all. But I had a great time with other new joiners, create a good bonding among us, and that helps in settling down in a big company. I was so tired in the evening, and this further explained lack of update from my side.

CNY is coming soon, a week away. Could it be that I am really old? Or traditional festive spirit is so diluted in this fast pace and yet worrying world economy state? I hardly sense the CNY mood.

Hello World Sunday, January 8, 2012

"Hello World!"

This is the first programming exercise for anyone who learns computer programming language. It is like "A for Apple" when comes to toddler's education.

I have set up an email address contact @ mcheo . com (without space as displayed on the left hand column.

I would love to have hear from you, my blog readers. Feel free to write to me, even just to say hi. However, it is absolute fine if you choose to remain anonymous.

Hello World, once again.

My Coffee Story Friday, January 6, 2012

Today is my last day working in current company. I spent nearly 6 years here. Traveled through almost identical route to the office every working day, drove up the parking lots and parked my car 9th floor and above, did 6 times fire drills in which I had to walked down from 36th floor and etc etc.

It was an amazing journey for me, I saw how God has been good to me. I wrote a lengthy farewell letter to my colleagues. I wanted to share my experience with Myra in the future.

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Have you read “How Starbucks Coffee Saved My life”? I haven’t, but this is my story of how drinking coffee changed my life.

Back in July 2005, I applied CW software engineer position through local job posting website, never heard of CW back then. About a month later, James replied my email and arranged an interview appointment with former CEO, Luke in Starbucks next to my ex office building. The interview was done over a cup of Starbucks coffee. Few days later, I had an hour phone interview with Keith. Luke, Keith and James were pleased with me, but CW had not setup their office in KL yet. Fast forward to Dec 2005, I was invited to then CW KL old office at 20th floor for another interview with Mike. Followed through was a code test with Niall, and then a casual chat with XiaoYing. I was exhausted after the more than 2 hours session. I almost wanted to give up on CW. In mid Jan 2006, I got the offer verbally. And it was not until March 2006 when CW had finalized its Malaysia employee contract and I was able to come onboard to CW. It took more than 6 people feedbacks and about 10 months process for me to be hired. I was the special one.

A week before my starting date, James called and asked me to fly to Dublin for induction training (at that time there wasn’t anyone in KL office). When I arrived in Dublin, I met James over a cup of coffee in Bewleys Hotel, nearby CW old office in Leopards town. Spent 2 weeks training and meeting new colleagues.

After returning to KL, my first “task” on my first day of work was to have a cup of Starbucks coffee with Mike on the ground floor. After the coffee, Mike asked me to go back and worked from home for a few more days as there wasn’t any desktop ready for me.

I didn’t know where I got so much faith for young CW, a rather unknown company back then, but I somehow liked the company. It was definitely an exciting journey and I grew with CW KL office.

For the past 6 years, I met great people here, those who had left before me and those who are still around. I had chance to learn from them, worked alongside with them. I had my best working years thus far in CW. And I am definitely older than all the furniture in this office.

Heartfelt thank you to Robert, Keith, James, Mike, Ruth and Pat who had helped and guided me all these years. Sincere thank you to all PMs (especially Toh, HL and Dani whom I've worked with more closely) and colleagues in both offices. There are simply too many people to express my gratitude. I will personally convey my message to each of you and not bore the others.

One fine day in July 2011 (yes, it was July again), I sipped my coffee while having a chat in San Francisco Coffee House with the person who soon will be my new colleague. A few more interviews and then 6 months passed, and finally I am about to embark new journey with them.

I will be gone soon, but not too far and you will definitely hear from me as we still have unfinished business to do. This time, I will be on the other side of the fence.

Working in Irish company didn’t make me fall in love with beer, drinking coffee is still my thing.

Best of luck to you all.