Goodbye and Hello

The Goodbye:

25/1/2011 - Kamales' Farewell Party

His farewell cake

I was Kamales' driver for the final time. I drove him and Ramanan to Jusco and hoping that we didn't have to delay anymore time for Kamales going to Greenbox (my friends that'd arrived much earlier were preparing this surprise for him). Then again, Ramanan stalled me and whispered that we have to drag more time. God knows what the heaven they were all up to! As time passed by, I knew I can no longer drag the time, I texted Louisa: "Hey, I can't drag anymore. Can we go up now?" and her reply was positive. So then we went up and taa-daa. SURPRISE!!!!

The craze started even in the K-box!

Then after that, we sang, danced and laughed all the way until 1pm in the karaoke box. I cried. Twice. I forgot to prepare myself for this the night before. Sadly, I had to go off earlier to school for the same project. When I returned from school I saw all of them having fun at the bowling alley. "Oh, you're back," my friends said. When it was about time for all of us to depart, we did a huge cam-whore session in the middle of the mall where every single passers-by stalled and looked shockingly at us. That was embarrassing but... as my sister says: Do I look like I care?

Camwhore session

Kamales with the the homemade card

Around 4.40pm I sent Kamales back home and that was the final time I saw him in Malaysia. Gosh, writing this sentence almost reduced me to tears. Final. Last. I always hate these words, in a way. I'm shocked myself that I can cry so badly for him, who'd never really been in CLOSE friendship since standard one. I always had something against him, and otherwise too. But yesterday has proven me wrong. Although we had something against ourselves, we still love each other to the core, less the fights and quarrels.

26/1/2011 - Apple of my eyes
He's gone. The person who worked as a CitiBank promoter, and his whole lot of group are gone. All of them!! Now they've new promoters for the same thing. WHY must their employer be so cruel to pluck the apple from the tree?! He's gone. Anyway, I was lucky I managed to gaze him for about 30 minutes on Sunday when I had my 40 minutes break! I'll store that in my subconscious memory. I regret for not talking to them (specifically, him)

The Hello:

25/1/2011 - Sight reading?!
OK, sight reading for my guitar exam is going to be bad. I simply hate these impromptu stuffs!!! Grade 2 examination. Sight reading - about 2 staffs. I'm looking forward to fail this one and to excel in aural, exam pieces and all others. Sight reading simply sucks!!!

26/1/2011 - Wheeze, Cough... Sigh!
Bronchitis is back.
Sinusitis rhinitis is back, with a new friend: Pharyngitis.
Costochondritis is back too.
I have new types of medication and I am told by my doctor to throw away my previous prescription.

Looks like these buddies are here to stay, until I am turned to ashes.

500(ii)

Version II of Code 500. Boss got pissed again.

One of her kitchen boys didn't use his SIS card to punch in and out a few days when she was away for some errands and guess what? When she got back here today, the kitchen boy accidentally keyed in 500.

 POOF!

Boss started giving her lecture because she was angry due to his ignorance of not asking any of us about the SIS card system. She then asked ALL of us to be there with her in front of the computer to teach us, so we will not give the same excuse anytime further.

After that, she started going around the restaurant, then asking me, "Did you clean the induction cookers today?" and I blindly nodded and she proved me that we didn't clean them. Nerina was scolded alongside and she had to do the cleaning.

Then again, (this really was my fault) she asked us, "Who cleaned the glass panes today?" and I raised my hand and she started over again saying that this isn't my first day of work that I do not know how to clean glass panes and she stressed how vital these things are to the restaurant's reputation (although she didn't say it, I can see it for myself).

Well I can't really blame her for her explosion. She said this and I quote: I trusted all of you to do your duties properly. So please, next time do not disappoint me anymore, OK?

NOTE (topping over the previous one):

1. Clean induction cookers.

2. Clean glass panes PROPERLY.

3. Make the pepper and salt containers and soy sauce bottles presentable for customers by means of wiping them clean.

PS: I have a strong feeling that my boss has surely read Art of War, by Sun Tzu. She has sort of leading us from what I know in that philosophy. All her moves are rather exact and critical. I like it. She teaches me a new meaning of leadership - HELL better than my previous employer. That was JOKE!

A part of my list of what-should-not-be-screwed

I should NOT do the following:

...

Break promise(s) [SCREWED]

Hurt people [SCREWED]

Disappoint friends [SCREWED]

Pissed them off [SCREWED]

Forget medication [SCREWED]

Mentally paranoid [SCREWED]

...

There are too many things that I've screwed up in these few months, between me and my friends, and between me and myself. Though my friends forgive me at the end of the day (and I thank them really sincerely that no words could express my gratitude), I feel that I'm succumbing BACK into who I was previously: The pretty much screwed up kid, fighting for lost causes, being too loud and empty like... "an empty vial", self-righteous and flamboyant _ _ _ (I let you fill in all other adjectives).

My mind isn't really thinking straight lately. I've become too much of a paranoid, misreading almost everything that's set as what I should perceive it as. I always contradict myself too: Should I, shouldn't I? All these things are recurring and it is out of control.

OK. I am going to see my school counselor again in Monday, regardless of anything. PERIOD! I am going to meet him first thing when I step into the school compound, then I meet up Miss Z, the lady I miss so much after graduation night! Right after these two occasions, I will continue doing my school project. Secrecy much, eh?

***

Today Mom and Sis visited me. I was happy, of course. (However, I could see that Mom somehow knows I am different. Don't lie, Mom. I saw your eyes.) Then we had our breakfast in Kensington (I drove, Mom treated). I've ordered Irish Whiskey Coffee and Beef Steak. It was really nice, I'd say. Sadly, my nose was blocked and I still couldn't really taste the food like before. We got back home around 12.30pm and I was about to get ready for work and finally... I felt my body was begging for me to rest. I was doing my mental debate between myself and I and finally I called my employer and said I couldn't go to work today. At 2.30pm, Mom brought me to my doctor and he said I am having pharyngitis. Doctor said:
"[...]I see everything is OK. Your body temperature is fine[...] It's just your sinus giving you problems. Your sinus tissues are much inflamed now but I will ask my nurse to give you some drops to shrink the tissues[...] If at all you have any hearing problems[...] You will know when you notice some differences in your hearing[...] So please see me again and I will have to treat you more aggressively because at that state your sinusitis is getting more serious[...]" Then I made myself a mental note: remember to take my medicine regularly!

So folks, this is the series of "The Screwed Up Life of Blogger of 'A Vial; Kyrie Eleison'" Please do not forget to tune in to www.emptyemptyme93.blogspot.com next time (I dunno when will I update my blog after this) for more entertainment. Good bye.

Food out again!

Kensington, with Chinese New Year design. Third time visiting that place already. This time I've made a bad choice.
2004 Cabernet Sauvignon (from Chile): SPICY!
Lamb chop: Well done - too chewy! (The vegetable and wedges saved the dish much)
I've finally made friends with a few waiters there, I needed to know their name to give them comments, right? The service is still above excellent. Wonderful waiters, only I've made a bad choice of choosing my dish and drink tonight. I shall try beef next round.

Happy B'day Nerina!

Tonight, after work, we all celebrated Nerina, our staff in SeeU's belated birthday in mamak stall near my employer's house. Her best friend, also our staff bought 12 doughnuts for her as birthday present and we opened the doughtnut box in that stall. Although it was mediocre, she felt touched by our acts - so far that I can read, unless she has deceived us, which I doubt that would probably be (actually thanks to Miss Wendy who was willing to treat us in mamak stall).

***

Pardon me, people for not speaking much recently. I am just being plain flat and busy all day long, every day. Next Monday, I am going to go to Family Store to visit my old friends (that we've not talked since they've gone to Johor to continue studying. They were my colleagues when I was in form 3 working there), then going to my school at noon for some projects then finally guitar class in the evening. My off day isn't really OFF for me, at all. However, uber alles, I'm happy. I've achieved what I wanted all these while. Busy lifestyle.

I know this is insane for me, an 18-year-old kid saying it out. I think my mom's thinking: What the heck is wrong with my son?, as she reads this post. I'm just happy that I find no time to fill in my empty shell. At least I learn a lot along the way, as well as fortifying my psychoanalysis to people that I meet.

Psychology is such an interesting subject to talk of, of course I don't mean theoretically. Who cares about theories nowadays? You? Me? Well, I don't have any intentions to brag but I can say that I'm a reader. I love to read about Persona (mask, in Latin which later derived the word: personality) of different people. Most of the time, I read quite correctly. About who likes me, who stabs me, who're goody two shoes and so on.

I think that's all I can crap for the moment. I'm off to practice my guitar pieces now. Till then, TTYL.

OK!

OK! I whined too much. Pavane is not that difficult after all. It all requires practices. I really can't wait to learn my next piece: Ode to Joy. Just a short bar of Choral part. Not the opening of the movement of Symphony #9 also. I'd be a guitar god if at all I can play till the end of the movement, in GUITAR (that's about 24 minutes, I've checked in Wikipedia). I still need time to improve my skills. I'm too young for everything.

Time bomb

In the restaurant I work in, there is:

503: Code for Fried Shrimp Bomb (I think).

Hence, I deduce:

500: Code for Boss' Time Bomb.

Initial of 5-- is for snacks.


We accidentally keyed in 500 in our posting system tonight. If you still don't get what I mean, I'm going to put it in a very direct way, hoping you would not be too dumb not to understand it, no offense. We pissed Miss Wendy off today. I've came about a few hypothesis why she was pretty much angry with us, yeah I admit it's my fault. Let's roll back and review.

1. Grace was fired, I think due to the fact that she's pregnant. This was all I heard. I didn't dare to tell more than what I know. Something must've happened in the afternoon between the both of them.
1.5. I touched the cashier machine again.
2. In the Bar section, I was doing things slowly. I didn't really know how to do Bar closing. I admit, I was being a bimbo tonight.
3. All of us were rather slow, as usual, we always go back after 11.30pm.
4. From the tone she scolded me for being slow (although not loud or harsh), she has been very patient with us all these while.
5. We talk more than we work.
6. External issues that I didn't really bother listening, but from the tone I heard the bosses were talking, when I was cleaning up my section, I knew there were something that ticked her off too.

NOTE TO SELF:
1. Work then talk.
2. Bar closing - work efficiently.
3. DON'T TOUCH CASHIER MACHINE EVER! Although she didn't scold me, I DON'T DARE to see the 500 version of my boss, directed right to me.
4. If you have nothing to do in Bar, find cups to wash.
5. If all are done, grace (which I doubt that would ever happen).

***

Today during break I was rather ticked off by the waiter in KFC (which is two doors away from my workplace). This was the dialogue:

Me: Excuse me, may I know how much is Cheesy Wedges?

She: With tax, RM4.00. (Although she was not rude at all, I do not like the way she said WITH TAX)

Me: Take away has service tax too?

She: Yes :)

Me: It's ok then. Thank you. :)

She was dumbstruck altogether with the other waiters. Maybe I was ticked off because my workplace does not have government tax and of take away orders, 0% tax is charged. Never mind.

Ode to Joy, Pavane, Ballroom Blues

OH GREAT! Exam pieces are here already. Pavane is super difficult. Although it is very very short! Ironic, isn't it?

Lucky me, I am fond of Beethoven so I can play Ode to Joy pretty easily because I've heard the piece before. Ballroom Blues... Too many slurs. I hope I can do it. It is really very hard (for my standard, I mean)!

Imprints

Again, I'm imprinting on someone else. I've just left my latest previous track for about last month and here we go again with another imprint. I cannot deny the fact that I am imprinting that someone (usually... guys) because it always happens without me knowing it. My best friend, Francine wrote in her wall post and I quote, "Why is it that the heart does something, the mind doesn't understand?". I truly feel what she meant now. I don't understand my heart of imprinting this kid too. Well I barely know him and yeah, he's my colleague in my workplace. This is the second time I'm talking to him and poof, I just realized that I'm imprinting on him since the first day I've met him. Isn't it wonderful?

People, look. I am not talking about love at first sight, because love just disgusts me so much that I would rather... But I am not saying I hate to see people love each other. I totally have nothing against this. Imprinting is something like... the werewolves do in Twilight saga. They do not care whether it is love or whatever, as long as they can be there for and with their imprints.  That's what I usually undergo. Normally people break the tracks, not me sweeping it off without reasons. This is something really bad about me. It sucks!

I think I should keep calm about it and not add salt and pepper into this lightly-scented tragedy again. It always ends up as tragedy. ALWAYS.

I'm an open book, yes I know.


10 Jan 2010
Edit: OK, my tracks are fading. YES!

OFF!

YES! At (long) last, tomorrow is off day!!!! I am finally a waiter. Really tiring job but I truly enjoy it. Being in the FnB (that's food and beverages) line is unexpectedly fun. Although coming back home with limping movements due to terribly tired legs, I still am very happy working there.

Psst! Today I received RM3.50 tips! Of course not personal, people! We will share it at the end of the month. Two days ago I received RM1.00 tips and I never expected that I will ever get more than that in my life. I was smiling like a small kid towards the counter and chimed, "Yay! RM3.50 tips!!!" then my colleague reminded me, "No personal tips!". OF COURSE I know, Ida! Ha, ha.

Today there were two customers (I really liked them. They were really so polite that he put his hand around my shoulder when I was busy cleaning a table, and he gave his comments on our food and drink we served them. Of course I ran to him and asked what was wrong, and he explained politely to me. He wasn't fussy at all! REALLY COOL GUY and pretty hot too, but he was dining with his girlfriend. Sad. Er... This couple is pretty sweet together by the way. Ha, ha.) that were so polite although the food and drink were not up to their expectations. After he commented on the food and drink, I reported that to Wendy, she's a Hokkien too! The best part here is, all the business partners are really really cool and caring. I adore all of them so much. I really do!!, my manager, and she finally resorted to asking me and Ida to try out the tom yum soup a little. Ida said it was too strong and spicy, that she nearly choked due to the spiciness. Then it was my turn to try it. Swirling and smelling it like red wine, and I took a sip and rolled it in my mouth. If it wasn't my favourite wine tasting sessions, I would have chocked too! It was TOOOOOOO sour and spicy that the tom yum aroma is already gone! I explained to Wendy about how the this theory works and she was nodding along the way. I hope she really listened to me.


Don't worry, Wendy. Once I get my paycheck, I will bring another food expert from home (none other than my granny) and me to dine in there. I will then make comments to improve our company.


Tomorrow is my off day, which I don't really regard it as my off day. I have to practice for guitar lesson at 6.30pm. I have 4 more pieces, expect them to finish by tomorrow and I can continue with my exam pieces. THREE exam pieces. Luckily, I am only grade 2. Yeah, things will be harder next time.

I have amended two of four the pieces that I am going to play to my tutor, see how my "rubato" works. I hope it will not be too terrible. I always like music with rubato. Rubato is "playing with one's desire", if you may.

So, that's all about my update these few days, missing in action. Thank you for waiting. I hope there are more to come.

Dad has finally sent money to me! I can pay up for my guitar exam fee first. WOOHOO! Epic, baby!!! Then later when I get my paycheck, I will put the amount I've taken into my "piggy bank" again. I don't have to worry about guitar fees anymore for the time being.