Training Tour- Germany

As I reached the hotel lobby, a lady slowed her pace and softened her face. She greeted me with her welcoming smile. Mdm. Monika, the owner of the Centro Hotel. We had a casual talk before she received my cash. “My staff is working on your room, someone just checked out. Maybe around 2pm?” Mdm. Monika explained in her most soothing voice. “Okay, any places to suggest while waiting the room ready?” I replied gently with a smile too. “Ehmmmm.. There’s a castle with some sculptures and… nothing much”. Then, I started to walk just to get myself familiar with the town. She was true, nothing much.

The right side of the hotel occupied by residential area.

Looks familiar? Somewhere in Malaysia?

One of the ancient sculptures

About 10pm at night, in front of Selzgold Hotel.

Castle is undergoing maintenance.

 I hadn’t been on a good long walk for months. Alzey was a pleasant place to go while having training in Wendelsheim. It is a cute town with not so much going on. The town is so quiet and occupied with migrants mostly after 7pm. No shopping center or subway, Alzey is just a plain town. Of course I can see some of the ancient sculptures, castle and walls but those are the things that people typically do- preserve them as much as they can. I didn’t feel well, had runny nose and fever on my first day. So, that’s all I got for my first day.

It was summer. I prefer to sleep after Subuh prayer (1.40am) and every 4.30am in the morning, I woke up for shower and wandered around the street. I became a regular customer to a Turkish bread shop. Not to mention the ‘Ali Family’ minimarket, I can get all halal foods as much as I wanted.  I got to know that they are Muslims when I saw the shelf of religious books and al-Quran. I got 1L of apple juice, 1 khabab, 3 plums, and 3 Turkish sweets with €8.00. €8.00 is definitely enough for lunch and dinner if you are not choosy. How heaven! What can I get for RM8.00 in my country? While visiting other countries, I can’t stop comparing, please accept my apology.

The Turkish bread shop selling religious books and al-Quran

Turkish bread shop. From raw wheat to various bread. I can feel the floury fresh bread.

Wendelsheim, the adjacent ‘town’ where the training center is located. I don’t know how to describe Wendelsheim. By ‘google image’, you can imagine what Wendelshiem is. Not really a town or a city. My half-an-hour car riding to Wendelshiem was confusing. Left and right of the roads are wheat fields, wind turbines, scattered houses, and grape fields. Mostly green. They made me hard to memorize the route to the training center. The signboards not really helped for a new comers like us. As I walked out from the Mercedes MPV, t he wind whipped my face so hard, chapping my lips and made them dry. The place is not concentrated with people, thus they never know what peak hour is and why do people hate traffic jam so much. 

Next day was the first day of my training. Knowing that I’m the only Asian and Muslim, it doesn’t made me uncomfortable. I’m here because I wanna be here. It wasn’t difficult to get along with them. I easily made them laugh and they made me LOL too. Some of them were curious about my practices as a Muslim. I made a chance to explain some of the misconceptions about my religion. I wish I can do it more often.

View from the pantry.

Peaceful surroundings

With Mr. Helios

Farewell dinner with technocrats.

As always, the training for engineer was focused on hands-on rather than making notes. As we dissemble and resemble the instrument, we kept the notes in mind, mostly. We touched instrument more than the pen and paper. We shared same background and we enjoyed the whole training concept. We know we are gonna have an evaluation and a test at the end of the session to make ourselves certified to operate and service the instrument, but it didn’t bother me at all. Learn as much as I could.

Immuno Fluorescent Assay (IFA) technology is a new thing to me and thus, it was a fantastic experience. I have something to compare with ELISA which I’ve familiar for years. Factors like result efficiency and effectiveness of the process are comparable. Of course they are so significant. 

My activities were not so much different from day to day. I made more friends and tried varies of local food. On the last day, I felt better than the days before as my flu didn’t affect me so much. During evaluation and test, we were allowed to use all resources we have accept discussion. We were allowed to play with the software, refer the notes, open the instrument, but no discussion. I obeyed. Compared to the tests I had before, this is a little bit tight but I don’t care.

LOL!

Messing around with Mr. Helios.

After half an hour break, the trainer announced the marks for each of us. Surprisingly, the top scorer goes to the only Asian participant from Malaysia. I got one minor mistake and the score was 78/80, 98% in percentage.  I was thinking I flunk as I have zero experience compared to anyone else in that room. Or maybe because of that I was being too focused. I just kept the presence of mind, how to get the high score for the technical quality as well.

Thumbs up!

After business card exchanged, alhamdulillah, all done here. I grabbed my suitcase and it’s time to say “lets meet again” to everybody.

A Brief Note

When was the last post? I know, half a year ago. I’m always ready to speak my mind and share about important events through this blog but things happened- my mood not always at its best to do that. It is mainly because my laptop spoilt and in ‘beyond economic repair’ condition. In addition, I terminated Unifi services since I moved to Klang. Telekom Malaysia doesn’t provide their services within my compound. Not even Streamyx. Anyway, this is the best time to experiment my life while living in limited resources

All happened at once- Major car breakdown (cost me ~RM10, 000), bought a house and renovations (of course it wasn’t a little expenses), house refurbish (it was an abandoned unit). My wife was at the early stage of pregnancy (morning sickness and cysts operation). You can imagine how a bunch of money flowing out from my pocket.

It seems all of the carefully constructed walls I’d built around myself collapsed overnight. I was left as exposed and vulnerable as a turtle without a shell. But hey, what done, is done. So, I just use whatever existing resources I have to reconstruct the wall. And of course, writing down my thoughts and feelings was the key to more than the therapeutic progress. First things first.

Later I found, really, this is normal. Every event went off as what it supposed to be. My wife quit from her job, but she can focus on the kid(s) more. I don’t have to worry about baby sitter services and the monthly payment too. It is not everything we owned is a ‘forever liability’. I must expect that. 

After months, there are still a lot of things for me to look over. But I surely fix them accordingly. No matter how hard my time was, there was always a way out. This is a brief note from Him to His every servant. Allah has given so much to you and me.

Just Another Year of Working Age

19 September 2014

Yesterday was the date when I finally served my company for exactly 2 years. Not so senior although I am now have 3 engineers stepped in after me (and the boss still calls me with other’s name). Not so junior when I entitled for the yearly bonus (ahaa!). Being 2 years serving for All Eights (M) S.B, I would say, it wasn’t easy.

‘Sales Engineer’ was my first job after graduation. 70% sales and 30% marketing, they said. I didn’t see why was the title is ‘sales engineer’. As a job beggar, I can’t be choosy and gave a try. It only last for few months before I finally assigned as a Business Executive at another local company. But still, I feel empty. No passion, no motivation, no teamwork. Bad seniority practice, bullies, and suffers. It was unhealthy. It’s a long pain story of my career gateway.

My career background was not related to something technical and beyond the engineer’s hands on jobs. I played a lot with tenders, prices and I don’t like it. I decided to revise my resume and cover letter to distract a bit my career line. I can’t let my first 3 years’ experience haunting my future career. Applying for an engineer position was like a gamble. I ‘bet’ myself in silence while sending the job application emails. And hey, 19 September 2012 is my official date as an engineer.

I started to enjoy my job since my first day. I wasn’t familiar with screw drivers, spanners and all. Day by day, I dare myself for new things. While everyone set a quarterly target, I had my daily target. Although I was a bit struggle but I think the efforts were worth. Sometimes I feel like a doctor when I made the instrument alive again- but I never hang my multimeter point cable on my neck as doctors do for stethoscope, wherever they go. My company is generous, really. Every of us got chances for overseas training and we can easily focus to what we were assigned to.

AEM Engineering Department-September 2014

We work individually but we perform as a team. Race, seniority, age were never seen as different in us. More important is sometimes I don’t feel like going to work but meeting my siblings. Professionalism and ethics ties us together and I always hope it last forever- Eight of us made us the real All Eights. Big thanks to you guys.

Ramadhan The Holy Month

Ramadhan is here.

Some people associate it with 'Madrasah' (school?)- Madrasah Ramadhan. If Ramadhan can be described as madrasah, I don't wanna graduate. Here is the place I can find the soul enrichment.

People post good things on Facebook.

Gathering for iftar.

Dishes exchange.

Solat Tarawih (I prefer to call it 'Qiam Ramadhan')

Mosque renovation.

Not to forget, this is the economic month for people especially who stays in Klang-Valley. You can live without spending money for food through the month. All surau and mosques providing iftar (and some sahur) everyday. When I was a student, I and my friends let the month ended without a single visit to the Bazar Ramadhan.

People won't change entirely but the offline activities are improved, at least. Daily activities a bit change but still, I do sports as usual, travel for work, and do heavy things. Physically, not so much different. It seems you only skip your lunch. Logically, people who never try to fast may think they will be easily exhaust. Reality, we get our physiology rest and restart.

I don't know how does Ramadhan differentiated itself with the rest of the months. I don't know what made the changes. The mood is soft. I feel the calmness. Special.

The Stolen Time

*Scrolling down the screen*

Facebook is used to be entertaining. Now, it is tiring.

My interests changed. Instead of keep telling people the activities I had, I updating myself with news, and some relevant stuff. The news-feed updated rapidly- every millisecond? Facebook is somehow faster than other official news webs. Gossips and stories undifferentiated. Quarrels and discussions mixed up entirely. I need a ‘filter’ inside my head.

Enough!

Just be sure its not dominant. Don't being used and don't let it steal your precious time.

Training Tours- Austria

2014 has been good to me. Well, it’s not yet over-another half way to go. But things just go fine. Alhamdulillah.

It leads to the next challenge when the company needs me to contribute more.

On the 1st week of June, I attended another autoimmune training. It was at Salzburg, Austria. The training and outside activities were equally fun. Only on my first day of training I had a little problem to get familiar with the instrument. It happened to be my first time playing around with the instrument and it was my first time I saw the instrument operated with software. It’s okay, I can get it easily.

The training center located around half of an hour from the Salzburg Airport- Grödig. It is a perfect location for relaxation and rest. Here and there were just lush meadows and fabled vistas. Since my first day, I was fascinated by the ice on top of the hills, waiting for the right time to hike on it. It must be beautiful. Furthermore, I never touch the 'ice' from skies. It must be different with ice inside my fridge since we call it snow.

Amble around the hotel and found no shops. Nice scenery made me smile all the way.

My wish granted. I was at the top of Untersberg hill.

It’s summer. The days longer than nights. I spent my every day in Grödig and my nights at Salzburg. I had to. No shops or malls available in walking distance from my hotel. I need some stuff to munch and different kinda sight-seeing. Apparently, it was a good plan. My after-training schedule was just awesome. I tried everything I wished. I made a good friend of a Greek guy who was also the participant. The other guy from Romania came along with his family so, he spent his time entirely with them.

Finally, on my last day-come along on a lovely ride to the top of the Untersberg mountain in a spacious cabin of the cable car. During the ride, I had a magnificent views of the Rossiten Valley and the surrounding mountains. I hiked to the mountain climbers memorial. From the summit, I able to see the beautiful Salzburg Lake District as well as the ice-capped mountains. Not to forget the Hochalm restaurant and the Zeppezauer house close to the summit.

Arhhh.. I can't do much because I 'forgot' that I was in high-alpine country and that I should therefore have proper clothing and shoes. But it's okay.

Experienced engineers. Thanks for being so kind and easy-going.

Living in Malaysia is a blessed, but here in Austria we can see not only the people are the ‘living thing’. But the natures are alive. Hills and mountains were colonized symbiotically by human. The activities were organized without any harm. From the top of the hills, I can see the greens cover the lands. The windy air touched me cordially. Every sights amazed me. Malaysia and Europe (Austria? Grödig? whatever!) they are beyond compare. Or incomparable. Talked about the foods, lifestyle, politics.. Ahh~.. the feelings mixed. 

I wish I have a magic broom.

Mr. Spiros, a unique Greek guy. He has no Facebook account :P

Salzburg- Old buildings across the street attracted foreigners to kill their time here.

As the training ends, my life ahead seems imaginable. I was here to deal with future responsibilities. Not to forget the team needs me more and more. 

I wasn't came to here, but I was sent to here.

Going Places: Pantai Klebang

Hometown, Melaka. Late evening.

"What to try? Where to go?" These questions stuck in my head all the way to my hometown. Every time. This is not a vacation so, I just let it be without any answers. More important is, I spent some time with Kak Ngah, Kak Teh and whoever happened to be there. Random visit.

My weekend schedule was not so organized. But I won't let the evening ended just like that. Around 1730, I dressed up casually. Brought along my wife and Yusra to Pantai Klebang. I and my wife were entertained by Yusra when she sung few kid's songs, I supposed. Some of them sound unfamiliar, but its okay. After 35 minutes, we reached Pantai Klebang. Here some captions of that day.

Horse-drawn carriage. Just give a try when you come with your family.

Yusra and the kite runners.

Arenero huh?

RM5.00 and you can lazing about on this furry thing.

Love fishing? Got few spots here.

This is tempting. But I don't even asked the ticket price. Sorry. By the way, as you can see, there's few lines of food stalls just behind the ticket station. You won't be starving here.

We killed the time anyway. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. 1845, we moved back home.