Delay no more: A special tribute to PCSB-SBO

It was 2 years ago that I was so skeptical about undergoing my internship in this company. I was so worried that I would not be able to learn as much as I can; we're talking about a period of six months here people, and at that time I told myself I cannot waste six months for doing nothing. I gotta learn something. I even quarreled with my dad that I would be wasting my time doing nothing in the office because everyone will be so busy minding their own businesses.

In the end, I 'reluctantly' agreed.

And I was WRONG, and surprised at the same time.

It turned out to be something like a life-changing experience for me, and therefore I want to pay tribute to the people who have made this possible to me and for me and also for proving to me that interning in an oil and gas company can be really fun, exciting and a real experience not to be missed.

Kak Raja; goodness I learned a lot from her. She was the one responsible for guiding, developing and molding me into who I am today :) I remembered when I told her that I wanted more challenging assignments, she really did give me challenging assignments! Boy I had hard time doing them, but I enjoyed it at the same time. I really admire her for her courage, strength and determination, I mean, a lady engineer with a lot of testosterones around? I really miss having breakfast and chit-chatting with you kak!



Joy. Real name Nirwana Nurdin :) Sorry I didn't manage to attend your wedding last year :( I learn a lot from her too; she was the one responsible for assisting and helping me finishing the works I was assigned to. The one responsible for providing me those production data which I have to compile and interpret, and boy, those updated songs! She's the one!



Steffy & Wendy. Actually the first person I met in SRE was Steffy and little did I realize that we are going to be good buddies throughout! Who would have thought yeah. Ging-karas bah ini, jangan ko. Another lady engineer that I truly admire. The one responsible for getting me so interested on cameras (DSLRs especially, the recent pictures of me in Melbourne imply) and FYI, the DSLR that I am currently using now was used to be hers! I bought from her of course. And who does not know Wendy? Perhaps the most well known girl in SBO, you will always have a good time when you are with her. Bubbly, friendly and cheerful. Outing with these two girls is always a lot of fun!

Bah ging, seperti biasa kalau saya balik KK, misti jumpa ah! Seperti biasa orang bilang...





Shakir Nawi, probably my long lost brother in SBO. A fresh graduate from UTP, again I learned a lot from him. We pretty much did the assignments together and he was the one making me to realize that production chemistry is actually related to chemical engineering! I really miss you going to my workstation every morning asking me stuffs or just checking me out ;) Oh, and those discussions about those test reports, you really made me feel like an engineer yo!

And thank you so much for taking care of me when we were in Labuan the other day!



Sir Martin Huan. Really nice knowing you chap! The one responsible for giving me a lot of tips on where to go and what to do in Melbourne. Remember you accompanied me sending Wendy home and two days after that we all went to Kiansom waterfall? And the friend of mine in Melbourne you were dying to see on Facebook? Good times man. If we ever meet again, don't forget to spend me :P



Sonia Boy. I love your new haircut! Bahaha... The one who always made hot milo with me in the pantry. I always have great conversation with her, and we always have our special handshake every time we meet up! :D Next time when I'm back in KK Sweet Home, make yourself available bah ging... jarang-jarang kita jumpa ni tau, bukan macam dulu lagi...



Amilin aka Teddy Bear. The first one to approach me for lunch, and I turned it down :( I have to thank you because you sent me home the other day! I will never forget your kindness bro. We should definitely meet up again next time!

Jasamu dikenang.



Derrick and Kimi. Nice dudes to hang out with :) Kimi, I thank you for bringing me out in KL the other day. I had a lot of fun! Especially the day where we went to two open houses during the Raya break, and played bowling after that. Wow you really are getting a lot better than I do! I should catch up with you man haha XD



Ina. Same league with Kimi, I always have a great time with this girl. Too bad la I only got to know you 2 months before I said au revoir to SBO :( One of my bowling buddies, I always love our conversation over the dinner table! Because we always meet up for dinner! Haha!



Ezramian Jamian! Wendy's cousin. How can I not mention him? The first person I have spoken to and met in SBO. Practical student coordinator. I should give credits to him as he was the one to put me in SRE in the first place. Funny and cheerful. I will never forget your advice you gave me on my last day in SBO! This picture was taken when all the twelve practical students went to Pulau Manukan together with him, Shakir & Derrick in March 2010. Good times man, good times. Period!



KJ. Again another great chap to be with :) How can I not be thankful for you have fetched me at the airport the other day? ;)



Joshua Thomas! Another bowling buddy of mine! I was the one he always looked for when he wanted to play bowling. Goodness that is what friends are for. We didn't have our proper goodbye because he was in offshore when I was on my last day in SBO! :( Going to miss those bowling and pork-eating sessions with you ging ;)

So these people have proven me so wrong that I never had any dull moment in SBO. In fact, that 6-month period was probably the best times I have ever had in my life. Actually there are still a few people that I have yet to pay tribute here but I did say thank you to them in the email I sent to the whole department which I still keep. (TQ Steffy!)

I guess I have to thank my dad right now for pushing me so hard so that I did not turn down the offer to do my practical in SBO.

I was wrong after all..

...and I had helova good time!

As much as I want to go to offshore; I hope I can go there one day. :)

Food Blog #32 Max in Melbourne Part 2 :)

Tada! The food I absolutely fell in love with throughout my 11 fabulous days in Melbourne.

And did I tell you that I actually gained 5 kilos alone? No kidding man.

I was barely 24 hours in Australia and my first dinner was in this Korean restaurant just next to Queen Victoria Market. What can I say? Fantastic.

So after I attended the Sunday mass in St. Patrick's Cathedral my friends took me to this Vietnamese restaurant where they serve good ol beef noodle soup. One thing about Melbourne is that it is soooo diverse and that you can almost get food of all kinds from all around the world. You name it they have it! Seriously.





Good thing that I visited this city during winter! Heart the spicy meatball soup in Centre Place. It's like Little New York in Melbourne, and I also heart the fact that they serve the soup with two generous slices of french bread! This is not the only soup that they have; they have all kinds!



Ahh, crepes. I swear to myself I've never had crepes before in my life until I went there and pfft! the rest is history :) Real French people really made this one for me and there was no real, authentic French ever said to me "merci, au revoir!" until I paid for it. That really made my day :D Sorry for I have forgotten the exact location of this cafe :(

See what my friend ordered :)






Godfather's Pizza. Read that? A pizza you can't refuse. It is so true.



I had this hot dog at VicMart and obviously, this was longer and bigger than the ones I usually have back home. Talking about hot dog orgy.



Hot chocolate that comes with marshmallows? Are you kidding me Melbourne? As far as I know, the usual hot chocolate I usually have stands alone by itself. But marshmallows? This is the reason why I should travel more often.



And this big breakfast? I finished them all. Plate was clean.



OMG Max Brenner *faint*

Part 2 coming soon! :)

Oh my, it has really been awhile! Max in Melbourne Part 1

Dear readers,

Please forgive me.

I guess for the last few months I was too caught up with my studies until I did not have any time to post just anything, until right about now. I know I have yet to talk about my wonderful vacation in Melbourne that it got into me so deeply that I won myself a 2-day 1-night stay in a 5-star hotel in KL which I will reveal pretty soon, the food that I have devoured and pretty much what happened for the last few months!

Right, so I guess I shall continue my story in Melbourne, let me pick up where I last left...

Let these pictures speak for themselves!

P/S: I hope I don't upload the same pictures again!

St. Patrick's Cathedral. There's Vatican City in Melbourne, somewhat. Was fortunate enough to attend the Sunday mass, and twas AWESOME!


Queen Victoria Market. The place where I bought most of the souvenirs to bring back home for family and friends. Their wet market here is soooooooo clean. Not wet at all.


Ah, the Shrine of Remembrance. Great place to visit, free entrance, shutterbugs should not give this place a miss, totally.


The view from the top of the Shrine of Remembrance. The sun was shining so brightly and it was still cold.


The medals greatly displayed in the remembrance :)


Flinders Street Station lights up so majestically at night.


Oh my, postcard from Australia.


The Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne will amaze you in so many ways.


Something you don't see back at home. I mean, wild ducks! C'mon!


Last but not least, since I'm a huge fan of tennis, I have finally visited 1/4 of the Grand Slam cities! Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova, Novak Djokovic...these players all won and lifted their trophies here! ;)

...and the journey continues.

Hope it's not too late for me to wish you readers a very Happy New Year!