Dark World
3rd of January. It’s the first day of the year 2011 for most of us to go to work and the kids to go to school. The metro lines are back to the normal schedule again.
However, the world over here is so dark at 9.00am. I can see a huge yellow light on my right side. I thought it was a huge fire but it’s the round yellow moon lighting the world from another side.
White snow covering the lands, trees, etc for the last few weeks are gone. It’s showering like another ordinary day except that it’s DARKER!
Happy New Year 2011
Less than an hour to 2011 and I’m sitting or rather singing along with my girlfriends some old songs (in my living room) that remind me of the time when I was still in high school. Some memories did come back where we just shared, in the middle of the lyrics. Outside is noisy with all the fireworks and the champagne is having a nice time with the other drinks in the cold out side. 
2010 has been a GREAT year. I wouldn’t want to change otherwise. But would wish for a better 2011, a prosperous, healthy, joyous, happy, lots of love, success and hopefully with a bit of luck in wealth.
Happy New Year 2011 everyone!
Wet Thursday Morning
Wet Thursday morning on the way to Rotterdam.
Silence but the sound of an old crack as if asking for a sympathy and the soft sound of this metro, makes me wonder what my fellow passengers are thinking. We’re at least covered from the rain and feel warmer with the heater on. While outside, it’s wet and cold.
I don’t mind if it’s raining as it is not as cold as when it is dry. It’s 2 degree Celcius and real feel is not even a minus. Or maybe it’s just because I feel warm inside this heavy and thick winter jacket.
A lovely weekend which I can thank the goodness of all the people who came on last Saturday for the Deepavali celebration. My first time wearing Saree and already I felt like I could never have enough of it. For this event and photos, they will follow up when I’m on my machine.
Banking Fraud
I don’t know how to title this blog. I just wanted to share my latest terrible experience.
It never occured to me that I could be a victim of the banking fraud. I don’t blame the bank. I am really greatful to the bank instead for notifying me what happened to my bank account.
Two weeks ago, I received an email from my bank. At first thought, it was just another spam. But I re-read the email and called the bank officer who sent the email to me. A receptionist picked up the phone and put it through to the officer, a Mr R. Unfortunately Mr R was not around so I hang up.
I tried to contact this person and finally I managed to get in touch with him. I had an appointment to come and see him on the next Thursday evening (which is ‘koopavond’, meaning shops are opened till 9pm). It was today.
Meeting a male and a female officers made me wonder, what’s going on? Mr R put a print out on the table and 3 others on another empty space. I had a fast screen on the first paper and saw in the first instance the name, address and some of the transactions. The name is not mine, neither is the address. I’m familiar with one transaction but the rest are ok (I thought).
Mr R started with asking me questions about me going to London in July in 2007. I said no. Then he said if I had done certain transactions during a certain period. I said, I was not sure. Then he said, this could be yours but what we feel weird about is this statement is from this year but the bank card numbering is from the years before 2007. He explained all other things and I didn’t know what to say at first. On another print out, I saw one transaction highlighted in pink. T-Mobile Netherlands 213.11 euros Debit. I checked other transactions and saw another one Kompas Telecommunicatie (studentmobiel.nl) 6.95 euros. Small amounts but how if it was 2000 euro or how if nobody noticed? I could be bankcrupt!
I went back to the first statement. I said to him, this name and address are not mine. He was shocked too as he didn’t notice that until when I told him. Asking him how they found out about this fraud, he told me that the mobile phone shop reported to the bank when he found out after he debited my bank that the name is not according to the bank statement that he was given by his customer. So, he reported to my bank and my bank investigated the issue.
Indeed, the address is not in the bank’s register and everything seems to be very doubtful.
After an hour discussion with Mr R, I decided to open a new account and close the current bank account. I went with the female banker to her office and she blocked the account so it won’t pay to anybody. I returned my credit card but kept my debit card so I could login to my online bank and print all the last statements.
I just don’t understand how this thing could happen to me, or to anybody. In 15 years of service at the same bank, this was Mr R’s first experience and guess who’s the lucky victim?
I learned my lesson. From now on I am going to be a good manager and organiser for myself. Losing EUR220 in September will not let me lose. I am going to file a report at the police station on Monday.
And my advice to you and of course to myself:
- Do not throw away any of your personal papers in one piece. Burn them if possible or cut them into small pieces.
- Always aware who you give your bank statement’s copies to.
- Check your bank statements often, possibly once a week per online banking. Otherwise you will lose your money if it is more than a week old.
I hope whoever did this to me (or to any of you) would not be prosper in his/her lifetime.
Stormy Morning
12 November 2010, Friday
People say TGIF. I say TGIA. Oh yes, I thank God that I’m healthy and still alive. My morning as usual is a disaster especially when I almost spent my night getting up from the sound of storm. I hoped it wouldn’t be that bad, I thought.
No, it is not except the fence, bordering with the neighbours’ home, needs to be fixed as it is almost damaged. Oh well, it IS damaged. Thinking about how much money to spend for a new fence has already made me not happy. But it’s just money, and I need privacy.
I guess it’s OK on this side of the country for now. The storm was not that bad. I remember reading a facebook friend “blown off” by the strong wind while cycling. To be safe I think, we should not cycle when the storm hits.
Cold To The Bone
8 November 2010, Monday.
It was a very cold fresh Monday morning air when I stepped out my door, rushing to the metro as I got up pretty late this morning. My excitement had overruled my sleepiness. It was not easy to go into the dreamland. My friends and my great Uncle from England and my big sis from Germany have confirmed to come in December.
So, I thought make it BIG. Rock the city. Wake the neighbourhood up. Be crazy like old time. And have FUN!
This morning, with my mobile phone, I sent out messages to my friends from all over Europe and Scandinavia. Then, I got more positive feedback. I’m all over the moon.
The cold is forgotten for just a few seconds. Then I realised that I have to take out my long winter jacket now. It’s really getting cold to the bone. But it’s ok. As I am one happy big girl.
Volunteering at Homestay Seminar
What can I say? Getting up this morning was a disaster. My whole body was sore and cramp here and there (and still is). I didn’t dance. I didn’t run. I didn’t carry a million tonnes of liquid. I didn’t fall.
But I did go out in the cold taking pictures without my jacket (who needs jacket? It was “warm”.). I did stand in our Drinks Corner helping out for hours without sitting. I also did sit on the hard floor with the kids, talking to them while they were busy painting (and had a hard time getting up).
So, the conclusion: I’m not as strong as before and not as “serba-boleh” as I used to.
Despite my complaints, I did enjoy our volunteer work yesterday for Tourism Malaysia. They organised a Homestay Seminar in Rotterdam and it was a private event. A group of Malay musicians and artists were flown over from Malaysia to entertain the guests. Our Minister, the Tourism head in NL, the Ambassador in NL, the head of the Malaysian Homestay were among the VIP/guests. Foods and beverages were both done by Perwakilan and Malaysian Association of the Netherlands.
The Pavilion in Rotterdam
Floating
Miss President of MA-NL
Don't mess up with them.
Drinks Corner. "Chendol! Chendol! Or Ais Batu?"
Teh Tarik anyone? Coffee or Tea?
Yum Yum.. Traditional Malay's dessert Kueh
Kueh Bahulu
Pak Mat: "Long time ago.. when my ancestor was a pendekar.."
Gorgeous Malay Ladies and girl
While the adults were attending Seminar, the kids were busy with their games.
A Dutch girl was painting her 4th batik
The VIPs sitting in a Malay style "bersila" while having a scrumptous meal and dessert.
Malay Musician, imported from Malaysia for this special event.
Oh, poor me.
I managed to capture 1 before my camera card said CARD FULL. The VIPs, Malaysian Tourism, Artists and musicians from Malaysia..
Hope you enjoyed the photos.
Peek A Boo
Hey! How are you?
17 October 2010. Isn’t it a fine day that I finally am here and was able to re-arrange my study room (again)? The sun is shining out there and got-your-back is playing in the background. I’m trying to re-create the positive energy in this room but I guess I need another month to really re-organise my stuff. At least there are no books, bags, boxes laying around the floor. I can dance again and probably do my 5 minutes exercise or even 5 minutes nap.
The fact that my now former colleague is leaving to China today for a month just to study Mandarin gave me the courage to make use of my time and life. Wasting time and proscastinating are the 2 things that I have mastered very well (you are my witness). So, today I thought of getting back the good energy first. Then do what I want to do.
It´s not easy to create a story when there are mountains of them to be told. Therefore, I will leave them for the next time when the brain has warmed up.
With that sentence, I wish you a wonderful day/night wherever you are.
