My Company's Appreciation Lunch

2 weeks ago, I was appointed to head the organising committee of another company project. My MD is always brimming with new ideas and over these few years, he entrusted us to organise small to big events from time to time. The biggest by far was a 'Sabah tourism Branding' seminar in UMS last year. We had to co-organise the event with UMS, Edith Cowan University of Australia and SMC. I still can't forget the unbelievably 'poor' cooperation from UMS last year. Well that's history and I hope I'll no longer work with them though one of their Deputy Deans expressed hope for more future collaborations.

This time around, we had to organise an appreciation lunch for our hoteliers and partners as in tour operators. In our invitation list were about 50 MDs, Mgrs, and mostly Sales and Marketing personnels. We only have less than 3 weeks to plan everything and had to make meticulous plan for parking, invitation, registration, AV system, presentation, welcome gift & F&B. Believe it or not, all these cost less than just RM2000! We managed to bring down the cost to such a minimal amount as we hosted our guests in our own venue - coupled with careful cost planning.

I had stressful days eventhough this is not the first big event for me. My mind has always been consumed with the worries of worst case scenario. Thank God, everything was smooth - but the bad news is, my MD mulls another decision to organise another one in April for other suppliers including Sabah Tourism Board. Well, I've been thinking of reshuffling the organising committee and hopefully I can relegate myself and play less significant role this time. Wish me all the best k?

The Unforgetable War Zone Experience

14th Feb was not a day filled with romance but a day that bloodshed enqulfed me. I joined my company-sport club's Paintball game in Kg Tanaki, Penampang in late noon. It cost me RM50+ to play in this game but it worth the effort because it 's one of the hottest game in town now. What's more, this is a rare opportunity to experience war zone or war on terrorism as I repeatedly heard this in newspapers or on TV. The fact is cruel indeed. I thought I would have some adventurous moments like those heroes I watched in the movies. Sadly, I was shot rather early in the game, forcing me to an early retirement in the first round. I had another 2 rounds for revenge but my enemy teams comprising 50-60% gals easily eliminated me in the next rounds. I have to admit my defeat and lack of preparation mentally and physically. I'm a bit upset with my early exit and hope that one day can return to the war zone with better strategies and physical fitness. Happy belated 'bloody' valentine's day.

Ki Family Ushers CNY 2009

A belated birthday greetings to Fui Koh (21st Jan) and Carissa (24th Jan). How is Down Under and Tawau?? This year's CNY is different with the absence of Fui Koh, yet we tried to make this celebration as meaningful as possible. The return of Ken2 from KL had obviously made the CNY eve merrier. As usual, we engaged in a fiery battle since early morning - flushing all the dirts out of the house and our chefs meticulously prepared the best dishes for CNY eve. Some still managed to go for last minute shopping spree and perhaps the most acclaimed preparation was Syn Koh's 'super Gate 2008' project which couldn't meet the deadline. Our fabled coconut tree (over ten years of watering... "sob, sob") was a victim of this project, chopped down last week to make way for a more desireable landscape. No matter what, the front portion of the house looks more classy now.

Back to the topic. Family members were serenaded with MyFM's CNY musical DVD during dinner. After makan-makan, we had a birthday party for Mei2 - almost coincides with Carissa's birthday every year (same age). How I wish both of them can jointly organise it here. The amount of food was lesser this year but still plentiful and more than enough to go around for such a big family. And of course, the presence of a paparazzi (guess who) who incessantly snapping pictures at every nook and corner of the house made this evening even more lively. The good news is, I've obtained the copyright to publish these pictures exclusively for you. Feel free to watch a video clip taken 'live' during the closing of 'Ah Ki, Ah Kee Olympic 2008' held in the same evening (no idea wat's goin on but those 3 kids told me last minute that they want to have a live telecast).

On day one of CNY, we all headed to church but were splitted into different destinations. Some went to Likas (Ah Sau & family + Syn Koh & family) and some went to Papar, Leong Koh & fam + Gepak & me). Can't tell much what exactly happened but in Papar, we had 'pot luck' lunch like last year. Syn Koh left for Kudat at noon and we had another gathering cum dinner in the evening with Ah Sau them and Tong Jia's family here. Happy CNY to everyone!!!

Ah Ki, Ah Kee Olympic Closing Ceremony

Willie Landed at Mamutik Island

We sincerely organised a heart-wrenching BBQ farewell for my tour guide colleague at Mamutik Island on Sunday, 18th Jan. My group was assigned into two boat departures to allow more space in the cabin. For your info, this is our first outing using our newly launched company boat. To my surprise, whilst most of the members didn't turn up, most of the picnickers in our team didn't take the opportunity to swim or snorkel. They preferred to stay away from water and were glued to the ancient BBQ pit. Nevertheless, 2 of my colleagues and I had a better plan. We blast off with an adventure-laden exploration to the south pole of the tiny Mamutik planet. We were stunned to see some unique rock formations, discreetly called the designs of various geological termed activities. What was terrifying, we found two gigantic monsters identical to the fabled godzilla near the south pole. Luckily, none of us were traumatised by the gruesome discovery.

This was the best part. When we returned to the capital city of Mamutik, we were delighted to see that BBQ lunch is served. Our fellow frends were seen enjoying their meals before the scheduled lunch hour. Having devoured tonnes of chicken wings and sausages, group members converged to share jokes and other hot topics to the like of Mr. Obama's Inauguration on the next few days. The key to the excitement of the day is simply, have a plain plan. You don't need much pre-planned programs to make the day joyous. This is one of the greatest lessons I didn't learn during my3-year tenure in company's welfare & sport club. Hmmm what a day!

Very Funny

Durian Fever Hits Ki Family!

(Top) Leong Koh with durians (year 2000) (Bottom) Gepak and Leong Koh having packed lunch

I'm sure you won't believe it if I tell you that we picked up over 30 ripened durians from san bah on last Sunday. Yes, I went back to kampung with Leong Koh and Joren Sau in a sequel trip to pick ripening durians. I can vividly recall that the last time we picked durians was during Leong Koh, Gepak and my visit to san bah approximately 9 years ago (see pic). That time, we were lucky enough if we could find 2-3 durians beneath the trees. This time around, we experienced the extraordinary 'durian runtuh' phenomenon. We opened nearly 30 durians and filled up our rice cooker with durian flesh. We tapau and distributed them among family members (Mee Tzia, Min Fui Sau and Syn Koh here. Some to be exported to Nah Nah Jye2 by bus). We have 3 trees bearing fruits at the moment. The taste is so so sweet!

Gotcha! The New Facelifted SL4029

Hello. I was so blessed to be able to see my ex-car, the Toyota Collora DX when the mechanic who bought the car from me came to fix SA7104 in Kingfisher Park. The second time they came to fix 7104, I managed to reach out to my company camera and snapped the pictures of the facelifted car when they drove 7104 for a test drive. It is so cute now isn't it?

Balik San Bah

Leong Koh, Joren Sau, Syn Ko, Gepak, Yeh2 and I visited our old house in Kg Pampang, Papar this morning. It was a good start for 2009. We never thought that we will encounter 'durian runtuh' this year. Yes, our durian trees bear lotsa fruits this year. They are not fully ripen and we only managed to taste one or two that are really ok. No rambutan available but few young mangosteens were spotted. Our lunch was a special one. I admit that this is the very first time we had a proper meal as we served ourselves with BBQ meals from last nite, courtesy of Leong Koh + other dishes. In the past, we used to eat canned food only + some eggs etc. We decided to visit Wui Suk them after lunch. Glad to meet Hen Suk, Wui Suk and Min Suk + Hyung Koh there. First time Leong Suk not around. The landscape there has changed a lot. They have started to sell soil and a bulldozer is parked in front of their house. The place is still as beautiful as ever. We enjoyed a cup of fresh lemon tea before we left. We continued journey to the new Petronas site in Kimanis via Lingan/ new Keningau road. Nice country view and this trip was one of the best I ever had in 15 years +.

Thnx Giving Nite

Hmm.. Like previous years, our church thanks giving nite was not so out of-the-ordinary this year except the lucky draw part. They divided lucky draw prizes according to age; Baby - 18, 18-40, 40> and Deacons, Preachers, Elders + their Mrs. As usual, Ki Family members continued to receive blessings in lucky draw. San2 received a hamper, Li Mee Sau and Gepak received a gift respectively. I had no luck this year (FYI, I only managed to win once after 15 years of waiting last year). As for Syn Koh, my advice is "be patient, ur turn might come after another 10 years" ha ha ha!!!