I'm loving this hobby :P

Painting in the dark. Did some post-processing to have darker dark and more contrast.


Photo needs to bring out the mood, feeling hot?


Went for a shopping spree last week. While taking the picture, the zoom is adjusted to get this effect.


Took this picture during Sony Alpha Workshop. My theme was Happy Father's Day.


Jeepney is an important transportation means in Pinoyland. I did White Water Rafting in the river behind.


Customers having fun. Angle of a photo is important.


Took this while walking towards the ferry. Clouds so was pretty.

Tour - A Venue Suites Hotel

First, take the lift up


Masuk rumah


Look at the kitchen


Sit at the sofa and look at the dining hall


When tired, masuk bilik


Tengok TV


Cuci muka, tidur

Kerja lagi

Spoke to my boss before I left the office yesterday. He asked me whether I’m still attached now and he then ask whether it’s because I’m out of the country far too long. I told him that it’s one of the reasons but it’s not totally because of it.

We also discussed about future arrangement of my job. He’s pleased with my results and (this is the bad part) has given me a bigger task. My instruction was to finish Pinoyland project in 2 weeks. After that, 1 week leave will be given. If I can’t finish it within 2 weeks, the balance will eat into my leave window.

Next, there would be a South Pacific Regional meeting for 1 week, the usual talk crap sing song. When we are over with that, it’s back to slavery. This time around I’ll be in Australia (6 major cities) and New Zealand. Remember I complained that I was not doing what I was hired for? No worries this time, my boss has assigned the best Network System Architect, so I can enjoy/focus on my work more.

The mountain to climb? The scale is at least 3 times bigger than previous project and we have to handle 7 other (small) customers there as well. The same objective is given, we must not lose.

Again, who wants to join? We are still hiring. The sugar? There’s a slight upwards adjustment on the allowance. For the land down under, it’s about RM4365/30days (MYR3.3=USD1).

Jumpa Pulak (MSWord Recovery)

I was heart broken never the less even I knew that I went overboard again and again. Battery from the questions in my mind was torturing. May be it was the stress from work, may be it’s the disbelieve; I didn’t had a clear mind.

Naturally, the guys will be the blame when a couple decides to go separate ways. Well, at least in my past cases. Many people will give comments without knowing the truth, then again what is truth? Everyone will have different point of view on the same thing. A friend who didn’t know much about us started the onslaught with a reason of she’s a girl so naturally girls should defend girls.

The problem is that I didn’t deny what I did wrong, I admit the bad and despicable things I did *wink for Sue ;)*. Work has been lighter these few days, it gives me time to see many things around me. One of the mottos I believe in is “Life will be beautiful when you believe it is”.

Had a few phone calls since we broke up, I would say it’s all good. I’ve realized that I’ve move on and I’m glad that we are in good terms. Now now, the registration line is 1-800-St-Damien. If you decide to register to have a shot, please be warned that I travel a lot and my current favorite drink is Soju =D

Nah, not so fast lah :P

Not yet, hopefully not too long

It all started when I replied to a mass email of Wei Liang’s spam.



I didn’t realize I used my signature and all hell broke lose. My mail box kept flooding with congratulations lah, teasing lah, Wah lau eh lah, keng wor…….

Just to clear the air, I’m still a Product Engineer in HR's database. All of us here carry Product Manager title for 2 reasons.

Internally, Product Managers like me is the Champion of a project. In a project, I’m the team leader and answers to Accounts Directors/VP. Various teams report to me during a projects and the link breaks when the project ends.

Externally, all levels of customer liaise with me as I’m the one who knows everything about the project. If I carry the title Product Engineer in my business card, customer at CXO/Director level will straight away feel offended, “Why does your company send an engineer to talk to me? Obviously your company thinks that this project is not important!”.

So when did I exactly became a “Manager”? Right after my probation.
Increment? Well, RM200 boleh kira increment or not?
Responsibility? About the same only.
Accountability? Yes, so much more. Decision making is stressful.
Subordinates? Erm…. This is tricky, does on project basis counts? I don’t rate their KPI but they have to work with my direction.

To add to the current hype (I take it as a hype, I’m not a Manager yet), the same sign is showing in the AP office. It’s been 2 months since I came back to this office. Congratulations kept coming in for winning the project, a colleague said he heard I was promoted to Sr. Product Manager (engineer), another boss addressed me as Staff of the Year, many kept asking about my increment, etc etc.

I guess people like to say nice things and speculate. Honestly, there’s a long way to go from what I am now to a Manager level. There are still so many things to learn.

The side effect of all the hype? Countless explanation, belanja makan (friend's hidden agenda, lol) and my aunt sold me spectacles with a price tag of RM1290. She said Product Manager doesn’t need to look at the price one ma.

Who wants to see the new St. Damien?

Ctrl-A

This is the second time I type this blogged. I wrote this blog on my flight back from Manila but I didn't save it. Can't seem to quite remember exactly what I blogged but the general idea is still there.

Seems like she's happier than before. We are in good terms now. There are too many misunderstanding and I've did some bad/despicable *wink for Sue ;)* but both of us decides to put everything behind and become friends.

So gorgeous, rich, sexy girls, the Hotline is now open. Please call 1-800-St-Damien for registration. Bear in mind that I'm a heavy traveler and I like Soju.
Nah...... I guess it'll be awhile before I'll be in another relationship
It's been confirmed that I'll be assigned to SP. My colleague will take my place in SEA. My plan still stands, a few more project and Hello Shen Zhen!

I knew it

Remember about my boss promised me to give me an increment after I bagged the project? The other day I e-mail him to discussed about my future role in the company and my increment. To my EXPECTATION, he denied it. I knew his character all along, sneaky type who don't keep to his words.

Like I previously said, actually I'm contented with my annual increment. So I wasn't taken back too much. On the discussion on the next project, well, it gets pretty complicated.

My boss has been transfered to South Pacific (based in Indonesia covering Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Pacific Island, Bangladesh, Brunei, etc) and he wishes me to help him there. I'm currently assign to South East Asia (based in Thailand covering, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, etc).

Both SEA and SP boss are sucky
SP pays better
More buddies in SP
SP cost of living higher

Currently, I'm stuck between a squabble between new boss and ex boss. Ex boss is trying to get me into SP. He created so much lies about me to convince SEA & HQ. The lies that he used even jeopardize my chance to go to HQ. I NO LIKE Office politics! NO USING ME! ARGH!

On a lighter side, since I've closed the deal, work stress is less but workload is still high. Well, like one of my buddy told me, we take their money so we work for them!

ps. my plan now is, no matter where ever I end up to, after 1-2 project, I'll apply to HQ (or leave).

Technical Class

Ok, boys and girls, St. Damien is in the house. Today, he'll be talking about Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).

Have you wondered why is calling back from US to Malaysia is cheaper than local calls? Why is it when Damien calls, the displayed number will be a local call?

In layman terms, VoIP means changing voice signals (analog) to digital signal and send them through the internet.

Traditional IDD reserves the whole phone line for you whether you are using it or not. With VoIP, you'll only use the line when you talk. In this case the line is the internet rather than the whole copper wire. When you are not using, others will be using it.

Who doesn't talk when they are on a phone call? Surprisingly, most of our conversation is silent. It's either we pause in between words or waiting for response.

Simple example:-
I want to call Ronald McDonald in the States.
1. If I'm out of the office, I use any phone to call my local office (Eg. Malaysia).
2. The VoIP system will ask what number I want to call and I'll input the number (Eg. 00123456789).
3. Malaysia Office will make a VoIP call to US Office
4. US Office will make a call to 00123456789. Hence, 00123456789 will see the US office number.
5. The call is established.

Now for the charging (please match the numbers with the list above)
1. I'll be charged for making a local call. This can be skipped if I'm in the office.
2&3. Since it is VoIP, it uses the internet. If we consider the internet as free, then this part will be free.
4. US office VoIP system will be charged for making local calls.

Obviously making 2 local calls will be cheaper than IDD call.

Now, some may ask "But how can it be cheaper than local calls?"
The amount that you are charged is based on normal user charging. Companies will make an arrangement with the local operators to get a bulk price for making calls, hence cheaper than normal calls.

St. Damien signing out.