Presentation Ceremony

Looking as businessy as I can...

Can anyone say 'cheeeeeesey'?

G'day everyone,
It's been a couple of days since I last blogged, AND NO-ONE IS COMMENTING! At least let me know if you've been and say hi!

I have been looking through many websites for decent images of Auckland, Newmarket or Remuera, and haven't found very many at all. If there is someone in one of these places, could you take a few photos for me and send them to me??? I am homesick again, and whether it's a good idea or not, I want photos of home!

Haven't had the energy to either complain or give my opinion on many things because of work, plus it doesn't help my mood much! I am at the point now of just going through the motions, and trying to organise a few friends to come over every so often to have a wee drink or dinner, basically to get to the end of the month when I will know about my degree. Up til then, it's a case of 'same old, same old'.

Send me something interesting or comment, and make me feel not so isolated!

Love to all,
Maddog

nearly there

Gidday,

I think I know what I WANT to study, and that's a business degree or diploma online. I don't want anything too specific, because that just limits you to doing that job your whole life. I want something nice and flexible, and can be adapted to many jobs and situations around the world. When we go home to NZ, I want to get work quickly, and not spend months looking. I need a usable qualification for that, and I like business so there you go.

We went to Ipoh yesterday to see some friends and have Caleb's back looked at by them. They are both Chiropractors, and they helped him a lot. Mez gave me the once over as well, and told me all about my bent back! He kricked my neck, gave my spine a crack and generally straightened me up. Boy that felt good. He reckons I need 10 sessions to correct my twisted hips, which makes one leg shorter than the other. I don't mind!

As far as leaving Sitiawan and heading elsewhere, we really want to go, but are realistic, and need to consolidate our situation first. I have to go to the UK this year, and earning ringgit makes that a very intimidating thing financially! After that, I'll begin my degree in business, and I'm trying to get Dee to either finish her one or start another. I'm not sure I even have the school grades to qualify to enter the course! If not, I might have to wait until I go home and do some night classes to get better grades, but thats a 'worst-case' scenario. Going to Dubai or Bahrain would be nice, certainly nicer than Sitiawan, but its a big move, and we don't really want to put all our eggs into one basket. I still like my original plan of making money here, buying property to rent in NZ, and finally moving back home to live in a nice place in the suburbs!

All I have to do is make all the students in the district come to my centre and pay top dollar! Not too much to ask is it? Making Foo Chow people pay top money for top quality??? Hmmm...

My plan might take longer than I thought...

education is a must?

Gidday,

Back to work today, and I'm busy again. That's good, cos I don't want to get bored...

We had a great time again in KL, but more tiring this time. Went up to Genting Highlands for some fun, and it was, until my daughter and the maid got lost for an hour and a half... almost ready to call the cops when I finally found them. I had been wandering around the whole place in shoes that aren't meant for walking in, so the last couple of days I've had extremely sore legs and shins...

So, been thinking about what I am good at, and what I should study, if anything. I still have the belief that too much paper education actually slows you down and limits your ability to look for the best solution... but there is a need inside me to prove I can get a degree, and I want to give my wife and kids a great lifestyle and in Asia, street-smarts are not valued. I am in a conundrum. I firmly believe that anyone can make it, so long as a few basic requirements are in place:
1. The government allows people to have a go equally, and meritocracy is the name of the game.
2. You can read, write, think outside the square and read between the lines.
3. No-one forces you to do or study something you are either no good at, or hate.
4. People should believe in hard work, not names or status.

We all have heard of the richest, most famous so-and-so who made it without any university degree etc. I still reckon I can too, and indeed my 'exit strategy' has no need for a degree, but in order to get the start I believe I can get, I seem to not have enough gumption or 'nous'. So I am willing to go to university to learn all I need to give me the push I need. Is that a waste of money or a good investment? Only time will tell. I don't gamble, and this is a gamble as far as I can see, because could I put that money into a new business or is it better spent investing in property or on a degree? I understand all sides, and pressure to do one thing or another is always there; but I know I can't do what some people DO do with their money, simply because I don't have the financial education...

If any of you have read 'rich dad, poor dad' you'll know what I'm feeling. I am working on my financial education every day, but being married with kids, you can't gamble with the families food money, and if you make a mistake the kids might not get to eat! So my level of risk taking is low. This makes me want a 'safe, secure job', and in this day and age there is no such thing...

What a predicament. Any suggestions?

we're off again...

We're off again to KL this weekend, simply to say goodbye to some great friends who are off to work in Bahrain. We're a bit jealous because the pay is great (i imagine) and Bahrain is somewhere we would like to visit. Our friends will be there for at least 2 years, and we've only just got to know them!
We'll be spending a night in the Genting highlands with the kids, then going into KL and staying with our friends at their place. Will be another awesome weekend i imagine, and we're getting used to KL now and really enjoying our time there...
I feel a bit useless at the moment. We don't have many classes going, and aren't earning much money. I am looking at doing an online Business degree from home, which would both give me a new sense of accomplishment, as well as increase my earnings potential, not to mention make getting a PR in Malaysia a damn sight easier (although it seems impossible anyway).

Have a great weekend everyone, and stay safe!

sigh...so disgusting...

Having breakfast at the local 'kopi' shop, feeding Caleb when the Chinese man sitting at the table next to us decides to have a good cough. Didn't cover his mouth and seemed to aim it straight at my son! I almost stuck my chopstick into his ear. Filthy man. Is it any wonder all the worlds diseases come from China or asian countries??? Are they mentally and physically incapable of good manners, or decent hygiene?
The drains outside the shop this morning stank like the local rubbish dump, the haze is returning and it's just horrible... then you see nice patriotic (dorky and naive) songs on tv with young malaysians singing how proud they are of their country. And the place smells like a sewer... one minute they are all nationalistic and rah rah rah about malaysia, the next they are chucking their rubbish out the window, behaving no better than the stray dogs and are scared of losing 'face'?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
I don't get asian mentality, and don't know if I will... sigh... so difficult.!

plans, plans, plans

Well, I'm sick and tired of Sitiawan. The most obvious thing I noticed about going to KL was the change in both Dee and I. I mean, we were just stunned by the obviousness of our situation. We suddenly realised where the hell we were, and we want out. So now we are making serious plans to get away from everything here; the weather, the maids, the LOW PAY, the slow if not stagnant market for business and the feeling of being trapped.
We're looking at either Dubai, Bahrain or Taiwan.

Phew!

Well, we had a great time in KL. The hotel we stayed at was brilliant, and the area was perfect. We stayed at the Royal Bintang Damansara, in the new shopping district 'The Curve', and was ideal. It's not near the CBD, so there isn't the usual traffic, and all the amenities you could ask for were there. I loved it.
We spent over RM2000 during our 3 days there, on the hotel, food, shopping and the biggest night out we've had in years! Our friends Jeremy, Farah, Brad and Aida were there to keep us company, and frankly, they MADE the journey. The kids had a great time, and there's a playground in IKEA which was awesome. I ate Mexican and Dee had Japanese, although she didn't end up having her favourite Thai or Dim Sum like she wanted. That was kinda my fault, cos I made us go to TGI Friday's for the kids...
I miss KL already... I used to hate that city, but that was cos we kept either getting lost, having no-one to see, staying in shitty hotels or being stuck in the CBD. NOW, I like it. There is a reason for us to go there now apart from work.
Well, back to work, and the grind. Will be looking for somewhere to work in KL so we can move down there. We're too young to be stuck in this 'old man's town'. We don't want to retire yet!

civilisation, here we come!

off to KL, and not a moment too soon! Starting to get 'small-town-syndrome' again! God I hate small towns! When you have grown up in a BIG town like Auckland, any small town is hard to get used to, if you can at all! We've done a good job so far, but it's high time to get 'BUSY' !
Even though we're taking the kids, we'll have fun. That sounds bad, but we want some 'adult' time! Anyone who's either had or has young kids will know what i'm talking about. We love our kids to death, but we could strangle them too sometimes! Hehehehe.
I'll update you when I get back. Civilisation, here we come!!!!!!

how could I leave you out?

In my list below, there are some notable exceptions. My wife, children and friends. Do I have to put them on a list?

They are above any list, so if you think I forgot, you should be ashamed of yourself!

To Diana, Kaitlyn, Caleb, Mum, Dad, Lisa and my dear Friends, I love you all.

Have a nice day

things I like...

I've been a bit negative with myself recently, so now I am gonna put in a list of all those things which make me 'me'. So anytime I feel down, lost, upset, mis-directed, or not myself, I'll have this list to remind me of who I am, and what it takes just to be ME!

1. Coffee. Good, real coffee, from coffee beans and a coffee machine.

2. Beer. A cold glass of New Zealand's Monteiths Summer Ale would make anyone happy.

3. Red wine. Merlot or Cab Sav. Either one. In a proper glass, on a warm summer's day evening outside.

4. Jazz music. The old stuff. The 'Billie Holiday', 'Satchmo', Duke Ellington', 'Sarah Vaughn' stuff. Not much into the 80's jazz, sorry Dave Brubeck. Give me the classic 30's, 40's and 50's jazz. They had class.


5. Rugby. Go the All Blacks. This is a real mans game. No wusses allowed. If you need padding, go cry to your mamma. Go the Auckland Blues and Otago Highlanders.

6. Reading. I love a good book. Better than any tv show on. Particular to Charles Dickens and Agatha Christie and Poirot.

7. Astronomy. I love outer space! What a magical place, and we know so little about it. I am going to go into space one day for a holiday.

8. Travelling. I enjoy seeing other countries that I am interested in visiting. I don't like travelling to countries I have no interest in seeing. Must visit - USA, England, France, Spain, Sweden, Finland, Italy, Argentina, Mexico, Cuba, Scotland, Ireland, Japan, Turkey and the UAE.

9. Motorbikes. I particularly like the Ducati 749, 916, 999 and Monster. Also, Suzuki GSXR600, Honda CBR600 and Yamaha R6. Honda Hornet is up there too.

10. Flying. Most important part of me. I have my pilot licence, and can fly anywhere in NZ I want to. I can take my friends places for golf, fun or work. I love the flying environment. Pilots are awesome people who are adventurous, fun and hardworking at the same time. They are highly educated with a grounding sense of responsibility. If they stuff it up, people die. So they are to be respected.

11. InteriorDesign. This sounds gay, but I love designing interiors, and looking through real estate listings. I have a real passion for property, and it's my 'exit strategy'. I plan on becoming a property investor. Not only that, but I haven't yet made my perfect house or apartment plans . It's a work in progress. Check out 'urbis' magazine, or 'www.propertypress.co.nz' to see what I mean.

That's a good start to knowing ME. If I think of anything more later, i'll be sure to update!

another rambling

what a beautiful day. the sun is shining and the weather is clear and warm. I'm stuck inside working, but not for much longer. I can't wait to shed these hot working clothes and get into my shorts and a comfortable t-shirt.

I am having a little difficulty trying to work out my finances. I need to go to the UK in Sept for my best mates wedding - I'm his best man; and we have some friends in KL who we want to visit and spend a couple of days with. What a pain. I can't generate enough cash with this business.
It seems like the town I'm in follows different rules when it comes to spending habits (or is it just another small town with small town people!?) and they simply refuse to spend money on quality. Basically they want the same quality and services as those city-folks, but only want to spend roughly 1/10th the money for it. I have spent the last 2.5 years trying to figure a way around this quandry to no avail. I am on the point of giving up. NZ is looking INCREDIBLY enticing. Not so much for business, but just general living standards and people-quality.

One minute i'm enjoying myself and the next WHAM it's a shitter. I spend half my energy trying to control myself and see the 'bright sides' of the situation. I succeed, but boy, I'm tired after. It's hard work controlling yourself! Especially when others seem to do it effortlessly... bugger them. THEN they have the audacity to make you feel like a 12 year old for working hard to control yourself! But in the end, they know less than I do, and are living the easy life. When the 'real world' knocks, you can bet your boots they'll cave in. HAHAHAHAHA.

Ok, thats enough, this blog is getting me mad and evil. It was supposed to give me an outlet, but instead has let out the dark side!

Have a nice day

I know, I know

I know. I am a naughty boy. My blog is very insensitive. Sorry. I just have a habit of stating what I see without censorship.

I am a breath of fresh air.

Go the All Blacks.

Down with the Aussies.

Up yours Samy Vellu et al in the government who got there fraudulently, and is still there corruptibly.

Where's the damn common sense in Malaysia? Does ANYONE have any left???

I love Auckland radio. I am fed up with Malaysian radio.

I need a beer.

Need to bring back proportional representation in local Councils in Malaysia. The level of corruption boggles my mind. It's sooooo obvious; they have no class. They could at least try to hide it better!

Have a nice day.

I can't help but feel sorry for them...

I don't know what the hell Malaysia teaches its students at school. I really am perplexed. I am spending my valuable time going over basics with them, and not covering important skills which, frankly, will be VITAL for them at University.

Not many of my students read. In fact, the situation is deplorable. How on earth is Malaysia supposed to develop if its citizens are mindless morons??? I don't mean to insult the travelled, educated and open-minded minority, but they will no doubt agree. I find it on one hand a great opportunity for me to educate 'clean' slates, but on the other hand find it completely frustrating.

My feelings are so strong because I feel a growing affection for Malaysia. I really do. But it is tinged with a realisation that one day I most definitely will leave, and due in no small amount to the fact that left alone, the country will inexorably slide down the slippery slope of 'no-hoper-ness'. I am left with little doubt that it is the chinese citizens of malaysia who are the driving force behind Her development, and if they are to be given the kind of vile, crass, underhanded treatment they have put up with forever, they will surely leave and take their hard-earned cash with them.

Left alone, I really don't believe there are enough open-minded and educated Malays to sustain the growth perpetuated by the minority chinese. Sorry to my Malay friends, and I count you as the educated ones as I have had the pleasure to converse with you and learn from you, but I am not trying to insult. I am saying it like it is (a vastly missing commodity in Malaysia today).

My poor wife (of chinese descent) will no doubt harange me about this preamble, but it IS my blog, and as named, is for my ramblings. So there.

Have a nice day

First ramble

where do I begin? so much to say, and not sure how to start.

About 3 days ago, I made a friend online. How gauche. But to my chagrin, it was astonishingly easy. I thought only geeks, dorks or losers made friends online. Even though I still find it a bit dodgy, I was pleasantly surprised. His name is Jordan Macvey, and a friendlier fellow I haven't met in some time. He's from Canada, is a Muslim convert (not that that matters really...), and is living with his Malay wife in dirty old China. He's the head of the Foreign Languages Dept at a local school/college/university there. Not sure of the latter. He's a damn nice bloke to be stuck there if you ask me. Then again, everyone has the opposite sort of 'yellow fever' the west was so scared of all those years ago. Nowadays, everyone is jumping through hoops to please them, and before it was napalm. Not the chinese, but we White people like to lump everyone together... makes generalising much easier!
Not that Jordan is trying to please them. He's getting to the point where he's 'been there, done that', and looking forward to leaving. So good luck to you Jordan, and let me know if I can do anything to expedite that departure!

So there you have it. My first online buddy. Well done, pat on the back, but don't make a habit of it. There are appearances to keep up. We didn't become this civilised only to ruin it with this sort of carry on...

First, I'd like to thank ChiwiGal...

Here I go. I'm doing the blogging thing. I am not sure why I'm doing this, but it looks like it could be fun - or a headache. I'll let you know which.
Dee's been so kind as to give me a blog site. Now I only have to fill it in with stuff people I don't know might find interesting to read!
Nope, I won't bother with that. It's for my friends and family only to judge my literary asperations.
Have a nice day.

Happy Valentines Day!

This Is my Valentines Present to you my dear hubby..

1, So that you have someone to listen to you when no-one else is.
2, It's a great way for you to remember what you've said, felt, and experience!

So.. Happy Valentines!!
ChiwiGal