resurrection ..

it's just so obvious that i've been so darn lazy to update my blog. i guess it's time for a resurrection following requests of friends to document my 13 days backpacking trip to India earlier this year.

watch out for this space :-)

Are accountants nerd?

In between having mental block whilst preparing slides for an investors' roadshow and procrastinating in doing my income tax return, had a sudden thought to blog about this. Ok, probably not a at-the-spur-of-the-moment kind but something that bites at me once in a while.

Ok, a lot of of you out there who are not accountants or specifically, non-accounting grads, tend to think that accountants are all a bunch of nerds and boring people who finds great joy and ecstasy in getting the balanced sheet balanced (pun intended). That the whole lot of us are condemned to lives of pushing the calculator, wear geeky big framed glasses, conservative clothings (boring shirts, skirts and flat clunky pumps for the ladies) and there's not much choice in career except being, well, accountants.

Well, my friend, times have changed. Great changes. Accountants are now in demand around the globe. And we are well-paid to look at and make sense of numbers. And balance that damn balanced sheet. With the tide of IT which swept the world and changed our lives, many opted to study that field. And related fields like engineering are hotpicks. So is medicine especially in Malaysia. Accountants become a rare breed.

For those who are still undecided on what to study, accountancy is a good bet. And you don't have to push calculators for your whole life. Many CEOs and obviously CFOs are qualified accountants. They made it there because they have business acumens and understanding of numbers. And the discipline and patience from all those balancing of balance sheets (haha!). I used to be in external audit for a couple of years (got my ACCA membership as well!), got rather bored and moved out. And guess what? I'm now doing strategic planning work in a local bank and have not seen any balance sheets for the past 1 yr and 4 mths. And my boss appreciated the fact that I can translate numbers into business snapshots and strategic views for her. I have some friends who are doing their own business, doing investment banking and some became succesful insurance agents. And all of these are accountants.

It has also been said that accountants in general (more so those who are in Big 4 accounting firms) have no life to speak of. Well, friends, you are wrong. Yes, the deadlines are tight. But we also know how to have fun. Next time you are in Zouk or at the Asian Heritage Row, ask the fella next to you and you may be well surprised that guy/girl might be an accountant. I've heard so many wild stories and seen so many things from my Big 4 days that I would say accountants are anything but boring.

I'm proud of being an accountant. yes, it may not sound glamorous, say, compared to marketing or fashion designers etc, but we make money and we can have fun. In fact, I find being an accountant is flexible. There are many career opportunities out there. And looking back, I'm glad for all the experiences and skills gained whilst in a Big 4. I mean, those experiences can never be gained elsewhere. How many people get the experience of seeing how Baby G watches are made, how banks and insurance companies work, visit an oil refinery etc? I appreciated all that and more. The discipline and steep learning curve has shaped me to be a go-getter and not afraid of taking on challenges.

Well, would you give accountancy a try?

2008 resolution broken

It's the Queen of procrastinator talking again ... I'm a confirmed lazy piggy.

Yes, I broke my 2008 resolution of updating my blog. Yes, having chicken pox in between is not a good excuse (damn ... just before CNY).

Yes, being busy at work is not an excuse.

This blog is meant to record my thoughts and happenings in my life. From now on, instead of bottling up emotions and out-of-this world thoughts, I shall write them down. At least 20 years from now (ok, maybe 6 months or 1 year from now), if I wanna recall something, I have them recorded. Hehehe. I don't care whether anyone visits this blog or not ... it's more to serve as a diary of sorts. It will be a real treat if someone actually takes interest in my life .. hehehe!

All you friends of mine who visit this blog once in while (especially you, Vincent!), do remind me if I slack in updating my blog. Please do not give up on me :)

Ok .. here goes. The first entry for 2008.

Sg Klah Hot Spring

Took advantage of the Hari Raya Aidilfitri hols recently and made a quick trip to the Sg Klah hotspring near Sungkai, Perak. It was my first time stepping into a hot spring (as opposed to visiting a hot spring) and was naturally excited. The Sg Klah hot spring complex is situated in the Sg Klah Felda scheme and is managed by Felda. It's a lovely place with shades and surprisingly, really clean although I think the management should build more toilets, showers and changing areas.

It has hot spring and a cold mountain spring water pool. I love both of them! Unfortunately, I couldn't take any pics of the cold pool coz I can't have my camera with me while swimming :)
It was a fun day and we had early dinner at Bidor ... herbal duck soup noodles and yam snacks ("woo kok" in cantonese). Bidor is approximately 20 - 30 mins away from the turnoff to Sg Klah from the Sungkai main road. Check out the website for those interested : http://www.plantationresorts.com.my/HotSprings/index_ap.shtml

And some photos to entice you. Unfortunately, I was too busy immersing myself in the hot water and swimming in the cold pool to take more pics :) Enjoy!

my visual dna

I'm the Queen of laziness and procrastination .. I've not updated this blog for so long that I almost forgot about it :) Since I'm now on a 2 weeks leave, I shall update my blog and will put this as one of my 2008 resolution : To update my blog at least once a week. Arrgghh ... so much so for telling myself that I need to write to destress. Hehehehe ...

Meanwhile, check this out ... my visual DNA.

Read my VisualDNA™Get your own VisualDNA™

bukit tabur @ taman melawati

Still feeling the post-excitement feel from Taman Negara, the original 4 from TM trip organised a hiking trip to Bukit Tabur last Saturday. There were the 4 plus Andrew's friend, Vincent's bro and CCH (aka Mr Slippers or The Slipper Man).

To the uninitiated, Bukit Tabur is part of Klang Gate Quartz Ridge. The ridge is the longest of its kind in the world and the dam is situated just right at the other side of the ridge from Taman Melawati. The geological phenomena of the ridge is one of its kind in the world and along the journey, we came across lots of quartz crystals scattered along the trail. At one point, we actually came upon a huge rock (exposed part about 3-4 times my fist size) which is actually a huge piece of crystal. I tell you ... the sensation is like seeing a big piece of diamond right in front (unfortunately, I was too awed with it that I did not take any pic ... stupid me). To add to my info and pics : http://www.worldisround.com/articles/93703/index.html & http://www.nst.com.my/Weekly/Travel/article/FeatureStory/20060418140210/Article/index_html

It was a clear and beautiful morning, albeit a little bit hot. We had breakfast at Melawati town centre and proceeded to the starting point which is a few meters away from Klang Gate Dam entrance. The first 10 - 20 meters are normal jungle trail and which is quite steep. The trail turns to rocky and really steep (60 - 70 degree inclination) from the first view point of the dam. The weather had turned rather hazy but nevertheless, the view was spectacular. I have stayed in the area for close to 20 years and I have not hiked this hill before, so, I was naturally awed by the superb scenery. The trail turns to narrow as we began our ascent from one ridge to another.

However, the real challenge and danger began at the 1st rope point. Trail is narrow, some parts are so narrow that only one climber can pass through at any time. As we actually climbed from one hillock to another on top of the ridge, the cliffs on both sides are approximately 90 degree drop (vertical). On top of that, there are a lot of loose rocks. The most difficult part is getting from one hillock to another. It's either a 90 degree free rock climbing, using ropes to lower ourselves down from some massive rock or at one part, literally jumped from one rock to a rock wall with extremely narrow crevices (just sufficient for half of my foot to hang onto).

It is such a dangerous route that someone actually sprayed some chinese words (graffiti!!! how disrespectful to nature!!!) on a huge rock at the 1st rope point which means "Do not go on, turn back!!" A wise warning indeed!!! Someone from another group (he has been there 5 times!!) accidentally fell into a ravine but he managed to stopped himself from slipping down further. Thank God for that!! His friends started to call the Civil Defence department for help. Lady Luck was on his side as an experienced climber passed by, took one look and decided he'll be able to climb down and help him. And he did!!! Whoever you are, sir, you were the hero of the day!!

I do not know how else to describe the trail. Some parts were so narrow me and Soo had to "hug" some rocks so as to let others passed. I was shivering and thirsty (oh! if any reader decides to go, please travel really light and bring more water! And put another bottle and cold 100plus in your car!!). Poor CCH who lost his shoes in the gym on Thursday and had to climb with slippers. Not his fault really coz all of us (except Andrew and Eng Sum) had under-estimated the difficulty of the climb. He had to climb barefooted at some parts and swapped shoes (and slippers) with Andrew at others. It was quite funny really with Andrew climbing first, took off his shoes and threw down to CCH who would donned the shoes and climbed. And passed the shoes back to Andrew.

We climbed from the eastern part and got down from the western part. Had to trek through a durian orchard (too bad it's the wrong season) which was really steep. But it was rather interesting to see wooden huts where owners of the orchards would stay overnight in during fruiting season.

At the end of the trip, I was glad that no one was seriously injured (scrapes and minor bruises here and there). I told myself never to go back again but looking back, oh well, I think I will be more prepared next time!! :-) The reward of the climb is truly superb as you can see from the pics below. However, I am rather disappointed as the pics are unable to capture the sheer steepness of the cliffs and I missed a whole lot of other picture opportunities coz I was shivering from fear :-( There will always be another time I supposed ....)

taman negara trip

After the eventful eco challenge back in July, I ventured into the jungle again. This time it was Taman Negara the weekend before Malaysia’s 50^th merdeka anniversary.

It was a group of a good and close friend, a college mate whom I have not met for about 8 years and a colleague from work. All 4 of us were determined to enjoy the beauty that is our Mother Nature for 3D2N. Indeed, the trip was almost canceled coz Vincent and I couldn’t find another person to go (we had not less than 5 persons pulling out almost as the group is confirmed and reservation was made). In the end, it was Andrew who made the trip possible for the 3 pioneer team members. Thanks a million, friend!

A little background here: Taman Negara encompasses 3 states in peninsular Malaysia; Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu with total gazetted area of 4,343km². It was established in 1938/1939. The national park is reputed to be oldest rainforest in the world and estimated to be 135 million years old (even older than the rainforests in Amazon)!!!! Kuala Tahan entry point in Pahang is the most popular and accessible to the national park. Run a search on google for more info.

So it was in the morning of 25 Aug that we made our way to Taman Negara via coach from KL. A special mention of our luggage need to be made here. Among many interesting things we brought along:

1) Numerous bottles of mozzie repellants (chiefly for leaches!!)

2) Bygon spray (this dude from UK looked at us one kind when we sprayed it on our shoes; he and his gang learned later on the benefit …. Leeches repellant!!)

3) Mountains of snacks and junk food …. Andrew brought a backpack just to bring all the food!!

And …. the most effective and genius invention in modern world against nasty bugs and mozzies … the ubiquitous mosquito killer racket!!!

Once we reached Kuala Tembeling jetty (the starting point to Kuala Tahan), we registered ourselves with Han Travel (our tour agent) and had lunch. We opted for land transfer to Kuala Tahan instead of boat which would have taken 2 ½ hrs as opposed to about 1 hr via van. Wanted to reach early in time for the caving trip at Gua Telinga.

We stayed at Persona Village resort located near the bank of the mighty Sungai Tembeling. It is located quite a distance away from Kuala Tahan jetty, the main gateway to Taman Negara and had to rely on transportation provided by the resort. All meals were taken at Han Travel’s floating restaurant at the bank of Sungai Tembeling (really interesting).

Our first activity was a caving trip at the Gua Telinga (Ear Cave) so named as the cavity resembles human ear canal. Which means narrow spaces and tight spots. Which means lots of crawling, sliding, being careful not to bump head on the ceiling, climbing in the dark (with torchlight of course). Oh! Did I mention there were hundreds of sleeping bats that will wake up and attack humans if provoked with bright light or their sleep disturbed by loud noises? There was also a fat froggy and apparently, snakes too!! (thank God I didn’t see any). And bats means lots and lots and lots and lots of smelly bats guano!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ARGH! EEEEWWWW! HELP!!!! For an idea of how dirty and smelly I was, I had to “donate” my eco challenge t-shirt and socks and gloves to the resort which were all left at the balcony of our chalet. So, if you happen to come across someone wearing a red t-shirt with number 54 emblazoned in front in Taman Negara, you know whose shirt it once belongs to.

Another highlight was the canopy walk and trek up to Bukit Teresek. Canopy walk was fine …. Since there were a number of people behind me and I can’t really stop too long to take in the sights. The peak of Bukit Teresek offered a really beautiful view of Mount Tahan. I just felt so calm being up there with the breeze and scenery. Made me wish I can do yoga up there :-P Unfortunately, I slipped and fell coming down from the hill and had bruises and cuts on my right elbow as it rained the night before and some parts of the trail were still wet.

The rapid shooting was fun though I wish it could have been more exciting. The trip to the orang asli (aborigines) village was insightful. There was this boy who couldn’t be more than 2 – 3 years old walking around naked (absolutely naked) holding a knife … yes a sharp knife!! Our tour guide jokingly told us that the orang asli kids play with sharp knifes like how city kids play with dollies and toys. There were fire making and poisonous darts making demo. Even though some may argue that the tourists are treating the shy orang asli like exhibits, nevertheless, I really enjoyed my time there.

I felt that the night jungle walk was a little too short and was rather disappointed we didn’t spot any animals at Tahan salt lick :-(

At the end of the trip, all of us congratulated each other for not getting any leech bites when suddenly Vincent noticed a blob of black stuff in the middle of the chalet. And it moves!! Our poor friend got bitten at his waist!! And the leech just dropped off without completing his meal. Well, the joke still goes around that the leech was too appalled either by the smell of durian on him, in his blood or ahem ahem … layers of fat on tummy (don’t kill me Vincent!!)

It was really fun opportunity for me to catch up with Vincent and Andrew and nice to introduce Soo to them. Oh! I found out that all 3 were such ardent durian fans (esp Andrew) that we went for a durian feast at 11pm at night!! The owner was about to close his shop and we all ran and shouted for him to hold on!!! Authentic “durian kampung” at RM4 per fruit which is quite a steal!! And the 3 fans are still talking about it!!

And all of us are actually planning for more get together with other friends and more outdoor trips! The next one will be end of the month to Bukit Tabur near Zoo Negara. And the next major trip will be to Mount Kinabalu (2^nd time for me and Vincent) next year. Anyone reading this and would like to join us for trips, let me know ok.

I totally enjoyed Taman Negara … I will visit you again one day!!!
Check out some pics of our trip here (all pics courtesy of Vincent, Andrew & Soo).

** Updated pics!!!

P/S : It could have been a much better trip if not because of some “interesting” group of Malaysians on the trip. This group of adults who would prefer to stay as adolescents was so obnoxiously loud and irritating and rude and God knows whatever else during the trip. They talked and talked and talked so bloody loudly … the truth is I don’t think they ever shut their mouths except during bedtime. They held up our trip to the cave by a good 15 mins coz they talked so much they lost sight of the rest of the group and had to asked the guide to turn back and save them. Fancy some of the girls who complained that the guide walked too fast and they can’t catch up!! Bloody hell … if the rest of us can catch up, what can’t they? They should have just shut their big mouths and conserve their energy. The unofficial spokeperson of the pack (who has really big hair) can’t even live with a little bit of quietness and peace in the jungle that he had to turn on his damn MP3 player loud!!! ARRRGGGHHH I had to keep myself from shouting at them to just shut up and be considerate. I don’t even wanna venture to other stuffs they do and things they talked about. I hope one of them will stumble upon this entry so that they will know no one, absolutely no one, no one can tolerate that kind of obnoxious behaviour. So much for peace and quiet in the jungle!