Kechara Soup Kitchen

On 2nd October 2010, I'd participated in a CSR program that organised by one of the divisions under my company's roof. The program will be going on for a month on every Saturday. Company employees are voluntarily to register with the organizer for which Saturday of the month on participation. Each Saturday has limited volunteers in a group.

A society give back activity. 

This was the first time I participate a CSR program that was held by a corporate organisation as I was just step in to the corporate world officially for just a year ago. I felt proud because only sizeable organisation would organize CSR program to give some contribution back to those who need our assistant. It encourage a positive impact through the activities on us in different kind of perspective because through the activities only we could get touch to the world that we would never explore before. 

Here we were at Kechara Soup Kitchen. * Before that I thought it was a restaurant cause it does sounds like a restaurant, doesn't it?*

Kechara Soup Kitchen is a Tsem Tulku Buddhist Organisation is a community service society that distributes food to the needy and homeless in the heart of KL. Today, the society intends to expand the distribution area to the place for instance Petaling Jaya, Puchong and Kepong slowly but surely. Glad that they're not only restricted to KL area. The society consists of volunteers from all walks of life, the volunteers range from full time to part time or occasionally like us. 

This society was inspired by a high reincarnated LAMA, not only he is the founder but also the a spiritual guider. They were from a small society until who they are today with a centre set up at Jalan Imbi and led by a team consists a group of dedicated committee people who are willing to pursue their profession but at the same time also partake in this non profit community. 

Every Saturday, in spite of rain or shine, a group of volunteers would gather in this centre. First, for those who  just join as the volunteer or first come to Kechara Soup Kitchen will be given a briefing about the society.

We had our dinner at the 'tai chao' beside the centre. And what surprise you was that the activity started at 10PM, yes 10pm! *When we were being informed that the service gonna be start only at 10pm, all of us were like "Hur? What? 10pm? Visit the homeless at 10pm? Not dangerous meh?" *=.='''*

The briefing started at 10pm and it was 45 MINUTES....Yes, you're not wrong, 45 minutes. All of us were there listening to this Mr. talked about the society for 45 minutes. 

Second, after briefing, we started packing food in accordance to what we'd briefed just now. We worked together to put a few items that the needy need into a plastic bag, such as 6 little packs of biscuit, a bottle of mineral water, 1 orange, 1 apple and 1 load of bread. Besides these, packs of ready food be it economic mixed rice with dishes are ready for distribution.

Subsequently, all of the volunteers include our company were split into smaller group where 4 person in a group led by a leader who usually is the full time volunteer in the society. Then, every group was assigned to a destination to distribute the food to the homeless around the KL area such as Pudu, Jalan Imbi, Jalan TAR and etc. 

After completion of food packing, we departed to the assigned destination to start our food distribution service. My team consists of Cindy, Cindy's husband, a gent and I was assigned to Jalan TAR and we were following this lady who drove a Mercedes Benz. *Blink*

Before we reached, the homeless have already waited there for our arrival. Pursuant to the lady (i forgot what her name la), this bunch of homeless has been mingled around here for quite some time and they are the regular "customer" here *lols*. Oh ya, 1 thing I forgot, they addressed the homeless as "client" instead of "homeless". *Sound professional hur?*

We shifted those foods packets on the floor and the clients started queuing up. The lady then gave the command to start distributing the rice packet and the dried food in the plastic bag. The clients. are different races and came from different places. 

   

ALL of them have SANE hands and foot. *Sigh*. They could just find whatever works which would at least give them a dollar of cent being independent. 

This little cute is an Indonesian, been in Malaysia for about 2 years with her Indonesian mother. They're not homeless, they have home to stay in but in a poor urban place. After few conversation with the mother, we knew that the mother couldn't even find a job for survival. *Sigh*

After finished distributing, those who are experienced in the society would talked to the client to understand their situation or their background. The purpose of the conversation is to think of way to help these client out from the place and gain the life where they could survive independently. You know the saying, cure the root is better to cure the surface. So far, the society has already helped quite a number of the homeless to being employed hence out from the street where they used to stay. 

The new comer like us only managed to talk to the Indonesian mother and the little girl for a short while and then we left. 

The night was a rainy day. Added a gloomy feel upon seeing the homeless. =/

The service ended at around 1am. 

By the way, in addition to the food distribution on the road, Kechara Soup Kitchen also giving out free lunch for the needy and homeless at the centre everyday at around 12.30pm.   

It's an eye opener for me though. There are actually throngs of people out there who really need our help. They don't have stable roof to cover them up, only the roof at the street side. 

They don't have comfort mattress to lye on, only the dirty, disreputable and foul mattress or the worse they have only the ground as mattress. 

Not to mention the food, they're not able to afford even a pack of economic rice with just ONE fried egg.

In a nutshell, they don't have what we have! You, you and you, including myself should appreciate what we possess because these people don't.

Can't wait to go UNIQLO

Yes, I believe everyone of you are just like me, can't wait to pay a visit to UNIQLO since its grand opening.

What so special about this foreign brand? I don't know.

Because I have never been to the UNIQLO in Japan, in Korea and somewhere where it is.

I just know that there are throngs of people queuing outside the boutique on the first day of the opening.

That's it.

So, I thought that they must be selling very nice clothes,very nice pants, very nice skirts! 

Oh yes, I heard that they are selling jean in just RM49.90. That's CHEAP!!!

So this day on the Friday morning, my colleague Cindy suggested to UNIQLO after works since before that we were so exhilarated about it.

It was a rainy day!!

Well frankly, I don't find it special.

I thought I could get a couple pair of jeans and few shirt there but unfortunately I found nothing.
It was like someone pouring a pail of cold water on me.
We left the boutique with an empty hand, not even a plastic bag from UNIQLO. *Sigh*

One word: DISAPPOINTED.

Sigh!!

They are selling plenty of winter clothes. I know it's winter season now but it's not applicable in Malaysia la.

Unless you everyday go Genting Highland. *lols*

I could not understand how on earth the people could buy so many from this boutique??

We ended up in Pavilion after that.
Basking in Merry Christmas atmosphere!!

Since we're disappointed so we rather to have a nice dinner and have a nice chat.

So we ended up in Ichiban Boshi at Pavilion.

And don't know why we ordered Hot Sakae and regretted . *lols*

It's tastes like some kind of medicine. *sucks*

Maybe I'm really not used to it.

Because I'm a good girl so I dislike liquor. ^^v

Cindy and I ordered the Unatama Don.
Jeffrey said after Cindy dyed her hair we became like a pair of sister, even the choice of food also the same. *lols*

Whilst Jeffrey ordered the Tori Curry Cheese.

The curry smell remind me of the curry instant noddle. *lols*

With "Ms. Milan"...She really had a big change with her new hairdo.

We are Miss Disappointment of the day!! *lols*

I-Crazy

The Friday night, after work, my colleague suggested that we had dinner together because his wife was off to US leaving him a bachelor night. ( you know how happy he was??)

So, we headed to Zouk Cafe because I have a coupon for a piece of cake that given by The Gardens as birthday gift. (Oh ya, I forgot to post about my birthday, later la~)

                                                          

                                                                       They serve variety of cakes....

Durian Cheesecake.........I thought I could redeem this from the coupon but they already fixed which cake to be given out as redemption. (Durian Cheesecake, next time I'll make sure you'll be in my stomach k!)

We ordered 2 spaghetti + 1 Tiramisu cake

Still fiddled with my new camera's setting to snap better. =.='''
So it's ended up just took a few because 2 of them were looking at me and the foods with their forks and spoons on hand.

Had a good chilling with them...

At night,

Went yam cha with SKL Gang and the night we found out something new.

Apple has been so creative in producing new gadgets from time to time.

From the first - I-pod,

Then I-pod shuffle,

Then I-phone from 3G to 3GS and now I-phone 4.

Then the latest today, I-pad,

Do you realised that all of these started from letter 'P'?

Would it be possible that in future there'll have I-pen which maybe it automatically write what we shout out?

Or,

maybe I-pan where it will automatically set the cooking timing according to what is put on it?
It's useful you know for those who knows nothing about cooking LIKE ME....*ashame*

The night, we were so excited with the newly purchase I-pad from Yip.
Everyone wanted to grab it to have a feel.

Yes...the new usage of I-pad!!
Yes...we know we were bad!!
But, it's really witty!!

Mug shot of dead people.....!! =.='''''

Resolution Achived

I got a Canon EOS 60D DSLR camera (i know you don't have one!)*LOL*

So now for the very first time in my life, i felt how it feels to own the latest most in demand item, i mean in the circle of photography.

Pursuant to my bunch of friends who temporarily pursue their career in the camera industry, they said that this model was the hot item so it was being seized immediately once launched in Malaysia due to the limited stock quantity in the first batch.

It possessed a high recommendation from those professional photographers.

My initial plan was actually going to the Canon EOS 550D model. Before I have made up my mind, 60D was launched officially in Malaysia and its price was just a few hundred dollar different from 550D.

I was hesitating.

Let me tell you more about the feature of both DSLR. In a nutshell, 60D positioned at a higher and advanced level than 550D hence the quality of the photo taken as it persaid will be better than 550D (but it also very depends on the user la! *of cus*)

Since it's going to be one and the only DSLR for the rest of my life (unless there is somemore give me as present la! *do YOU hear it*), I might as well go for the more advanced one. It just a few hundred dollar at variance with 550D anyway.

So in the Sunday morning, I lost a big chunk of my savings.

Leader's friends were just being so nice. They had fun the last night out there til late but managed to wake up early in the morning just to accompany me to Low Yat to see me buying camera.

I didn't invite them, or they just being busy body...*LOLS*

In fact, they are my new toy price negotiators. Because of them, I could buy a latest model camera at a "surprising" price. *Wink*



How much?? Cannot tell you la sorry! *Ngek ngek*

Tell you more about my camera acquisition history!

Since the day I saw my friends purchased a compact digital camera before we went along for a travelling. I started to wish that I have owned one also.

But at that time I really couldn't afford to buy one, even a cheap one because every expenses are on my own.

So, I endured.

Until this day when nobody was going to bring a camera to our Thailand trip with my family members, I decided to buy one.

So, this is the very FIRST camera I have owned.
A Nikon compact digital camera cost only RM300+. *blink*

No doubt, it is a good camera indeed in spite of it's cheap.
Nevertheless, I could produced nice picture from it even others thought that they were taken by a DSLR.

It has been serving me well for a couple of years.
Even i have dropped it for so many times but it's still good in condition. *guilty*
So what's more do you expect for a 300 bucks camera can do??

But, people always look for better improvement, aren't we?

So, this is it..My newly purchased gadget.




Still scratching my head for the some setting....*I'm so stupid*

Practice make perfect. Shall wait for my 1st photograph by then!

Chilling at Chillex

Last last last last last week.
Forgot how many weeks before already.

The BlaGang had a gathering session again.

After finished the movie titles The Legend of Fist in IOI Mall we headed to CHILLEX for our dinner gathering.

CHILLEX is the composition of Chill and Relax.
Pursuant to its wording, it's a place for chilling and relaxing.


CHILLEX located at Bandar Puteri, Puchong.
It is a small cafe inside the MAZDA showroom office area, facing the row of shops lot same row with OCBC Bank.

This cafe is quite a hidden in place that make us friddled around at Bandar Puteri for quite some time.


It was recommended by one of our BlaGang member which she read it from a blog recommending about this cafe. So, we paid it a visit to try it up, why not!




Well, apparently this cafe didn't disappoint us.
Although it's not crowded on the day we visited but I was of the opinion that this is a good place for a gang of friends to chill out.


What they're famous in their menu is their BURGER.




I know, I know.
You're dribbling NOW. *LOLS*


You have the option to choose some add-on such as different sauce, egg, beacon etc on top of the regular burger range from beef, chicken, pork and *forgotten*.*LOLS*

Besides Burger they serve other western food as well.
Surprisingly, they also serve Kong Fu Ying Yong. *LOLS*



Last but not least, they also serve WEIRD food. Weird in terms of the dish's name la!*LOLS*
PLAY BOY BUNNY??


For couple, you can sit at this place for your candlelight dinner with your loved one.


Is a cute space, isn't it?

New Workstation

In August

I know. I know it’s been quite some time ago!

My office has been shifted from an old office block to a new building right behind it, an infinitely MUCH MORE gallant office building.

The GARDENS North Tower.

My company occupies the entire floor of 19th consists of 3 entrances.
The floor plan is as though the shape of triangular Japanese lump rice and is internally linked.

What make so special about the suite and is a favour of everyone is the lounge area like this.



The lounge was installed with this 50’ inch LCD TV.


I can bet that this BIG TV is barely switched on that’s I don’t understand why the company installed it on. To give a grand impression to the investor during company tour I guessed.

Well, they called this as STARBUCKS area.
However, there is no STARBUCKS coffee is provided la; only the 3 in 1 Nescafe, Nescafe coffee powder and MILO are available. Either you leave it or take it.
STARBUKS coffee?? Please pay by your pocket money buy from downstairs la.

There are total of 3 lavatories within the office block. Initially, lavatories are all set as unisex.

However, in the very first day, somebody made a complaint.

Jenny, my company legal draftsman, complained that she went into the washroom and all of the sudden she saw a gentlemen peeing at the urinal.

Arghh…. How awkward it is!

From that day on, no more unisex lavatory!

Luckily, my workstation is near at both the pantry and ladies. *ngek ngek*


These are the gifts from my lovely friends.


I like the kitchen design indeed.


And the long long corridor.




In order to celebrate the first day moving into the new office, I deliberately went to buy (actually it was paid by Leader) a big cute cardboard box and shopped for a variety of cookies, biscuit and snacks and put it all into the box.
This was my dream indeed. To have a box of cookies so that I could have a little chilling moment in the middle of work. *Not bad leh!*

Ya, that it’s! My dream box! *smile*
Here is where i placed it.


Everyone was curious about the box everytime they were passing by my table. They gave me a surprise expression when I unveiled the secret of the box. *LOLS*

The colleagues who sitting right opposite me imitated my idea.
We have been close colleagues since the old office therefore we were so happy when we knew about our seat allocation.
They are food sucker too so they moved a cupboard from an empty seat to put in between them so that we can accumulate food and put on it.
This is called the “food-counter”.


Colleagues from the other side corner always pay their visit over here to snatch some snacks. *LOLS*

Conveniently, we will have a little chilling session over here…..when the boss not around. *LOLS*

The dusk scenery from the meeting room when I was having a meeting.


Thereafter, this corporate-look office will occupy majority of my time for every 5 days.