A stint at Borders Bookstore Malaysia

(The main entrace advertistment before the grand opening on the 6th Dec 2007!)

On the 19th November 2007 I started my working career with Borders Bookstore here at The Gardens MidValley, Malaysia. Here i make friends with staffs from all over the world & Malaysia. The Store Manager is Mr Ooi, The Senior Sort Manager from Seattle, US Sarah Florio & other newly transferred staffs from The Times Square & The Curve including: Sakina, Yuana, Erwin, Dorn, Danny, Syed, Kid, Dee, etc.

(The 1st day morning briefing by Sarah Florio & Mr Ooi)

On the 1st day sorting & shifting...we're more like a working labour. Taking all the packages from the trucks & bring it to the relevent section & sort it before we shelf it. There are a lot of sections here. During the sort period, i mostly handled with the Genre, Travel, Cooking & Kids section.

(Me not on picture & Najmi, Naim, Sharina & others having training on the TLU system)

The opening was origially planned on the 6th. Due to our high commitment, we managed to put things beyond schedule which means that we only concentrating on the shifting with the remaining days. Nearing the final days before the opening, our main concern was the Mentor (chinese books) & Basheer (arts & design books) which were lease to foreign distributor to handle were seems to be working very slowly. Not to mention Starbucks too! But in the end, all turn out well.

('Winnie the Poos?' Some people just dont know Disney that well...huhu)

On the opening day itself ie 6th December, i was given the opportunity to handle the cash register (casher). Its the first time i ever handled a cash register. But as time goes on it turns out well. Only to find out later when i closed my bay, it was found that i short 30 cents. Heck. I've to replace that shortage with my own money. So much for being a casher.

(Another morning briefing by Sarah. We always get the interesting 'Question of the Day' like dream places to go, super-powers, books to give on a tourist who'll take 18 hrs flight etc. I just love morning briefing with interesting question.)

Most of the time when i'm not handling the Cash Register or the Information Counter i'd most likely to be found at my section. They had assigned me to History, Romance & Crime books section. I've no problem with History & Crime books but Romance??? Hmm...honestly speaking...i'd never touch a romance book til i work here. But hey! Its a challenging career learning about books that i'd never bother flipping into.

(Me with Sarah who's the Sort Manager from Seattle. I'll always remember her as Meredith Grey's twin sister coz she have an uncanny resemblance with the character.)

After working for a few days here at the Borders, i learn about the business itself. 'How to make a good customer service.' Besides customers to the bookstore comes from all walks of life. From a minor to an elderly people and from nobody to some very influential people. It was fun working here & meet new people everyday!

Selamat Hari Raya & Maaf Zahir Batin!

(celebrating Raya with the rest of my extended relatives)

I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you readers / bloggers a Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri & Maaf Zahir & Batin. Happy Eid-Mubarak to all Muslims who are celebrating the Syawal after a long days of endurance during the fasting month of Ramadhan.

(with my grandfather at his open house)

To me Syawal this year is very interesting. I got the opportunity to meet my extended relatives and share some thoughts with them. Nowdays we all have different path lies in front of us. Some are doing law, others are doing public administration & administrative science, geology, medic, economics, business, physioteraphy, accounts etc. Some also were not here coz they're pursuing their studies overseas in which Aidilfitri is not a public holiday to their country like my brother is the UK & my cousins in Australia. Oh well, life still goes on & i just hope that they all have a very good Aidilfitri over there.

(the Johorean delicacy being served to visitors at the open house)

Being part of the strong Johorean family...serving laksa Johore & Arissa (the turkish delicacy) is a must when there's a festive season's coming. Of course there's also satay, ketupat, lemang etc. being serve along the way but i guess its just tradition for the host to show our very arts of culinary.

So today, being the 3rd day of Hari Raya i've went to about 10 Open Houses. Oh it's such a wonderful month to eat all you can but i'm afraid that men do have their capacity in their stomach. The problem is that when the food is so tempting & so tasty...there's no way stopping it. Huhu. I guess we might just get along with it.

To infinity...& beyond!!!

(The Soyuz rocket which will be their carrier into outer space)

As of yesterday the 10th October 2007 at apporximately 21.21 international standard hours, 2 man & a woman was sent into outer space on a Russian rocket named Soyuz. Sure it seems like nothing to most people in another country but for Malaysia sending its first astronaut is 1 hell to scream about. The lucky chap who get to travel outside earth is Dr. Sheikh Muszafar whom if i not mistaken a medical lecturer at the local university. He was competing with Dr. Faiz who's a dentist at the Royal Malaysian Air Force Medical Kor but luck was on his side to get such honour.

(The Russian space station)

Hari Raya is just around the corner, while most people in the bustling city of Kuala Lumpur were busy buying stuff to prepare to celebrate Aidilfitri by going to Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman or Chow Kit Road or anywhere alike, our astronaut is not going to celebrate it with his family like most muslims on that much-awaited day. So since he's the only muslim on board of the Soyuz starcraft, i guess he'll be celebrating his Aidilfitri up there...huhu...no ketupat & lemang for u ah Sheikh this time.

(Dr.Sheikh & 2 others from Team A in spacesuit)

Oh well, like most of the people would say "Experience is what makes u different from others". Where thousands of Malaysians applied to get such experience, Dr.Sheikh is sure one lucky fellar. Funded by our very own govenment worth RM30mil++ with a good relationship with the government of Russia, i dont think any Malaysian can afford to go to space even as a tourist. I'm not sure about business tycoon but it sure takes a lot of money to go up there.

Anyway, i'd like to congratulate for u Dr.Sheikh & Dr.Faiz for your achievement where only you who have gone to a place where no Malaysian had ever been. Salute!

10th SEPTEMBER 2007 - UiTM ANNUAL LAW DINNER

(having a chat with Farah Yasmin while the others enjoy themselves at the dancehall)

Gold & Glamorous, that's the theme on the night of the Annual Law Dinner this year which cost each of us student a whoopin' RM85 per person. A price which is kinda steep for a student to fork out their allowences for such event. Held at Concorde Hotel - Shah Alam, the event drew only VIPS from certain legal firms.

(Vince Chong from AF1 give his best performing the night)

The event started around 8.30pm attended with a number of crowd not more than 350 people. With the bad sound system, we can't hardly hear any speech given on stage but like they said...the show must go on. The meal was a chinse-style dinner with 7 different dishes. Sharks-fin soup is the one i enjoyed the most though it looks like a sweet & sour crabmeat.

(with Jess on that nite, didn't go to her house for the after-party...heck)

Entertainment that night was performed Alif (the winner of 'So You Think You Can Dance') and by Vince from the Akademi Fantasia season 1 champion. Then followed by our faculty's performers & some lucky draws. Huhu...lucky me as my card number 200 was called up as 1 of the winner. What did i won? Well, its a thick book for the use of the LLB Hons studies which cost around RM150++ at the market. Oh well, at least i didn't get home empty-handed.

(with Rifhan & Fadz just before the night ended)

The official event ends around 12 midnight but the host extended it to around 1.30am with the dancefloor becoming 1 hell of a nite to go clubbin' for. Generally speaking, i guess the event was fairly-OK as it was not conducted properly. But i think those who went there had some fun during the night. Besides, all classes on the next day are cancelled by order of the Dean & will only begin at 2pm. Huhu! I'm sure having 1 fun of a night!

'Selamat Pengantin Baru' to the newlyweds Azad & Farida.

(The Kompang band parading with the bride & groom to the hall)

Marriage is a step that people have to go through to enchance the ties & relationship of the 2 couples & their family with the another. In some views it can be said to expand the clans of their family members. It is not only known to be a tradition but also a principle in the religion of Islam that marriage is a something that we're encouraged to do, to avoid the adultery and other shunned things.

(The groom Azad & my cousin the bride Farida)

Tonight at Cattleya Grand Ballroom, Wisma PKPS, in Shah Alam my family & I attended my cousin's wedding. Her name is Farida Nooranis Shan, the daughter of Ahmad Kamarul Bahrin & Associate Prof. Hilmiah bt. Hj. Ismail. She'll be wedded to Muhamad Azad b. Hj. Ahmad Dinar.

(Abg Ayie posing for picture hosting the ceremony in style)

We arrived at around 8.30pm at the building. The ceremony started at approximately 9pm with the traditional 'kompang' band parading with the bride & groom to the hall . The wedding attended mostly by close family members & friends really makes the night something to be remember of. The hosts wore the brown coloured johore tailored dress matching the surrounding props whitch shows some element of earth & wood and they greeted the large crowd with great hospitality.

(Kak Fiza entertaining Mak Ziah, Unc. Naguib & wife & Tok Jah)

The food served were great too! We had Nasi Briyani served in a form of buffet and every one of us really enjoy the delicacy which is said to be originated from the Middle East. A token of gift also were given to each one of us which consist of the Johorean Telur Pindang (egg boiled with soya sauce) sweets, choncolate & candy. I guess it is an identity of a Johorean family to serve the guest with the Telur Pindang as a token of appreciation for attending their wedding.

(My Dad, Uncle Mat, Aunty Amy, & My Mum)

We departed from the event at around 10.30pm after congratulate Uncle Mat & Aunty Amy for their daughter's wedding. We also met our cousin there & manage to exchange some words with them. It was great to seeing them again as we're not often meet these days except for some special occasion due to the fact that each 1 of us are pursuing our studies in the tertiary level of education all over Malaysia & overseas.

(Cousins reunited)

Oh well, there goes one of my cousin's wedding. I guess my time will arrive in years to come.

Harry Potter & The Order Of The Phoenix

( Harry's preparing an army to fight the Dark Lord Voldermont. )

The latest movie of Harry Potter which is The Order of the Phoenix is a much awaited movie this month. Despite being the thickest book of all its edition, the screening of the film is no more than 2 hours. Sigh, but still really enjoyable watching it. Not much of new magics but the fighting scene is quite mesmerizing!

(The Dumbledore's Army )

The Dumbledore Army formed by Harry, Hermoine & Ron exist due to the presence of Professor Umbridge appointment as the new teacher for the Defence Against The Dark Arts. She's appointed by the Ministry of Magic as the new teacher for the subject as to avoid the students from learning magic to defend themselves against the evil creatures. Heck, by far she's the most hated teacher in Hogwarts.

(Luna Lovegood practicing her skills of producing the Patronus charm)

In this episode, there's a new girl in town. No i'm not talking about Cho Chang. She's Luna Lovegood acted by Evanna Lynch. Little do i know about this character but she seems to be a good additional members to Dumbledore's army squad. Luna also have a good control of power & project the Patronus charm in a form of a snow rabbit. He's seen to be paired with Neville Longbottom in a scene fighting the Death Eaters for a while. I think I liked her character, she really gives the spice in this episode.

(The fight against the Death Eaters)

The wizardry fighting scene in the movie finally comes after an hour of the screening. 6 members consist of Ron, Luna, Neville, Hermoine, Harry & Ginny went on for a mission to retrieve something valuable in the secret room. Headed by Harry, the 6 lads & lass put their practise of their skills to a test. Against the Death Eaters they wouldn't stand much chance but they really give a good fight against them.

My simple conclusion is that the movie is a good one to watch though it could have expanded the length of the story as being the thickest book of the editions. My advise is, watch it. You wont regret it!

A brief moment with HRH Raja Nazrin .

15th JULY 2007 - Midvalley Megamall, Kuala Lumpur - Around 3-5pm

I went to Midvalley Megamall MPH to search for some law books. To my suprise i bumped into His Royal Highness Raja Nazrin who's the Crown Prince of the state of Perak. He was there at the shelf browsing some latest books & the book on Tun Dr Ismail. His bodyguard was there holding a basket just in case if his highness wanted to buy something there.

I was stunned for a moment. Questioning myself..."That's Raja Nazrin, what's he doing here? The function is still 3 weeks ahead...shopping i guess.."

Then after a while, i decide to take this opportunity to talk to him. I presented myself and told that i'm a law student from UiTM. I also mentioned that Tawfik Ismail is my uncle. He paid attenttion to that statement & questioned me.
"Yes i know him very well, how are u related to him" asked Raja Nazrin.
"Well, Unc.Tawfik's mother Toh Puan Neno & my grandfather Captain Adnan are siblings". I said.
Then i asked, "Raja Nazrin, you'll be coming to the function at University Malaya to officiate the Tun Dr Ismail's book on 3rd August right?"
He replied, "Yes I will, how about u? Will u be there? I'm looking forward to see you & ur uncle there".
Then i said, "Yes i'll be there."

Such a friendly person HRH Raja Nazrin is...n'way, i hope to meet him again later on.