Blog Archives
Monday Morning With My Gadgets
Good morning world!
Just past 7 am and it’s still dark out there.
It’s Monday! I love Mondays, don’t you? I don’t have to rush today as I’ve submitted the prices I calculated on last Friday.
Friday is supposed to be the “light-day” for people. But for me, it doesn’t matter what day it is, the job must be done. It I could do it at that time, I prefer to finish whatever at hand. But there was an issue. Last month’s month-end-close issue. We made corrections in October. I decided not to take the figures into account but I needed confirmation from my managers.
“Yes! The logic is there, I agree with you.” The former Manufacturing Accounting Manager said to me. But it was not enough for me. My manager came to me when he heard my arrghhh in a loud voice. He was worried, thought something happened to me. It was just the work. I talked to him and he confirmed what I had in mind. I felt good then.
The thing with this product price is, it does not impact a few Euros but about 100 million euros per month just for this single project. Apart from that, I would not want to hear yet another email from the partner company about a mistake. So, I’m happy to get 3 okays from the former site manager, my manager and also my site-lead.
So now I can just take before rushing to take a fresh shower. Well, these are part of my machines. I am a big fan of Apple products now. My 15″ MacBookPro and my iPad2 are two of my best buddies. I got the former in September and last Saturday for the latter.
My weekend had been a blast. I cooked Italian and Kadazan food with pasta and “tanghoon” (Chinese style vermicelli). I baked cake and I made Italian espresso traditional way. OMG! It was STRONG! And the noodles salad was HOT!
Happy All Saints Day
Hello hello,
It’s All Saints Day. A day after the All Souls Day. The American just celebrate their Halloween. While other countries in Europe are having a public holiday today, we have a fabulous day working today (NOT!). It is the work-day-1 in our field; should be busy but I’m taking it easy today after a few days of having headaches from all the requests.
Lovely indeed to be working on this holy day 01/11/2011.
I’m sitting at the Lebkov again this afternoon. My mind is like a machine, non-stop working. But I just take an easy way out, blogging here and later continue my articles I’m working on.
No, I haven’t bought anything yet as there was a long line wanting to order. So, I find a space at the back and just take out my laptop. Two guys sitting next to my left talk about work in IT. It sounds like an interview is being held. Not sure as I don’t want to listen. On my right is a one-person table. A guy is having his bread while playing with his iPad. At my back, there are 3 guys drinking and drinking and I heard someone making several calls. On my far end left, at the back, there is a lady enjoying her muffin, holding a book. On the other side at the back, 2 young ladies speak German are also enjoying their bread while chit-chatting about life.
The music they are playing on the air is jazz. Nice to do some work, chit-chat with a company or two, read a magazine or paper, or just having something to drink or to nibble.
It has been a while I have not been to Facebook so I am lacking of what’s going on in the world. If you are curious about what I’m doing, well, I’m working of my new dot com. Nothing serious. I’m just missing putting my stuff online although I can do it here or elsewhere with a free service.
I wish you all a Happy All Saints Day.
I Got Some Good News
I feel like it has been ages since I last came in here. Ooooppsss!
It’s 12.28pm here in this part of the world. I’m sitting at a cafe called Lebkov where a lot of people are having their lunch here or working with their laptops or paperworks. It’s lunch time for me too. So, I left my desk at work and came here. It’s so convenient to work in a big building, where you can have access to the public transportation, restaurants, shopping complexes or people.
While having my vegetarian Thai soup and typing these words, I enjoy looking at the crowd out there. People are passing by on this left side of the cafe to go to their destinations: metros, busses, offices, post-office, shops, gym, car parks. You name it.
In August, I was sent an eye opener by God. Since then, I haven’t stopped from investing so much for myself and for my dreams.
In September, I got myself a Mac Book Pro, 15″, the best that is available. Then I plugged-in to several trainings available online. It made my day when I got a snail mail from Sutera Harbour Hotel, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Screening to the bottom of the letter, I wanted to jump. It’s my dear Malaysian girlfriend, Elaine, who is also living in the Netherlands but on holiday in Singapore and Malaysia for the last 1 year plus. Attaching to the letter was a 2-page paperclips on the Harvest Festival held in England in August. It was also an honor to see my name printed there as the organizer of the first Harvest Festival celebrated officially in Europe in 2010. I couldn’t help but grinning from ear to ear for having this great girlfriend.
On top of that, I received a package from the US. I can say now that I am a proud member of International Travel Writer and Photographer. It tickled me to see a big word “JOURNALISM” printed on my card. Gosh! I have never taken any journalism courses in college. I write what I feel like writing but if you ask me technical stuff that you have learned at college, you will just get a shy smile from me. 
Ah! Did I tell you what my other September news? I guess some of you know by now through my Facebook pages.
Well! I can tell you in a different time on that. Right now, I need to get back to my initial purpose of coming to Lebkov.
Stay tune as I shall be here often especially when God is sending me His Angels to help you all out there.
A Day Before Good Friday
I had question marks in my head when I entered the office and one of my male colleagues was wearing black T-shirt with a big “I am the greatest!” at his back. It is Thursday, why is he treating it as if it was Friday?
The sun was shining out there but I was shivering inside the building in my long sleeves top and a bit-upper-knee-short skirt. I made mistake for wearing the skirt for I got 2 same questions from 2 different people in a 2 different time. “What does it mean?”
My sharp-tongued colleague asked me the meaning of the 3 Chinese characters printing on my skirt. Someone said to a Chinese colleague to read it for us (as if he could, he is more “Dutch” than a Chinese). He made excuses. I thought I was better than him as I could read and even write more of the Chinese characters. But I kept the thought to myself, didn’t feel like making his face down again. If you know what I mean.
The day went pretty fast. I did not go out during the lunch hour but was trying to finish up some work.
I had a follow-up meeting on the team’s social event planning for the upcoming months. It turned out, not as positive as I would like to imagine. It was a good thing I took a deep breath before we entered the room.
Whatever you do, wherever you go, whichever way you think, there is always someone who is not happy and negative about a lot of things.
Just because you want to keep your nails from ruining, doesn’t mean the climbing up the stone or making something with bamboo is not a good team building activity. I had no word to describe how this was really a childish behaviour.
I went back to the boss and told him that we were to stick with the plan. He was OK with it finally. He didn’t want to decide (although he DID without realizing it), as he had us to organize the team events. He might have his worries but I just reminded him, “It’s me!”. He turned from my face to his computer and said, “Yes, yes. I trust you!”. Thank you Sir!
Although it was a though day for me because my head was still aching, and I had to do a thousand-and-one thing in one day, I did make some people happy. I took EUR3.50 of 5 cents and EUR1.50 from other coins to the canteen for their change (so I get a note of EUR5), they were so happy and just kept saying. “It’s wonderful!” I just smiled and said “My pleasure!” and left the canteen with my takeaway mixed salad and a free hard-boiled egg.
I was blessed with some compliments and comments from my bosses. “Princess” and “my dear” by my new supervisor. “Angel” by my manager. And a “she was quiet this whole week but once she is out from her skin, she is delicious!” from Mr CL. Btw, he got his “Smile if you want sex!” photos I made in December last year, which surely made his day.
Thinking of my earlier thought, I think I need a copy of that black t-shirt from my colleague. I want to be greatest on this Thursday too. As tomorrow is public holiday. A very long weekend celebrating Easter. And I don’t have any plans yet.
Quiet Birthday
Twelth of April. It’s my birthday and I’m turning “tuttttt”. Not an even number so what I did was adding the first and the next number to get an even number. I am a perfectly happy person to celebrate my DAY of birth on this quiet and calm day.
My cousins arrived last night from London through Paris and arrival in Rotterdam. It was my day off today as I planned for us to go to see the vibrant colours of tulips, lelies and other type of flowers in the biggest Tulips Spring Exhibition in Holland. Unfortunately both my cousins were so tired that they slept the whole morning and only got up almost noon to get some food and drinks.
Later that afternoon we went to the shops nearby my home and guess what? The sport shop was having a clearance. All branded sport footwear and apparels were on 75% discount. I got myself a pair of sandals and a medium-sized windbreaker for less than EUR30. My cousins bought bags, Nike shoes and more. At least it made our days with the huge discounts for them to bring home as their souveniers.
Keukenhof 2011
Spring is here in 2011! The tulips exhibition at Keukenhof in Lisse has started in March. The theme this year is ‘Germany: Land of Poets and Philosophers’.
I can’t wait to visit the park of tulips and nature again. It’s a calm place with lots of colours and varieties. I wish to bring my books and write what inspire me there. But I won’t be going alone this time (as usual) so I might not experience that piece of luxury for the hours I wish. It’s a huge park and lots to see and to shot beautiful images.
Next week, my cousin and partner are coming to visit. I plan to go to Lisse by public transport. So from Rotterdam Central Station, I will go to Leiden to catch bus 54. With luck, I’ll be at Keukenhof after 25 minutes of travel. The total combi-price is EUR21 inclusive entrance fee to the park.
For more info, click here: Keukenhof 2011
Tax Return 2010
For the third year, I did my own tax return to the Dutch Government. A pat on my shoulder. Well done! Saved my Euros from all the blood suckers. If I convert it to Malaysian Ringgit, it would be a month’s salary for a sales girl at one of the emporiums in Kota Kinabalu. Indeed! Euro money doesn’t seem much. What is €100 eh! It could be smart but knowing that I did the hole in my own pocket was not a clever thing to do. Let’s just say, I was just being lazy and lived my life to the fullest without having to think of the worst. (Let me tell you, the language did give me THE headache.)
That was before. Now, I can smile. It’s easy peasy as most of them are already filled in as I already have my logincode and my DigiD password (still with the dirt from the bin when I realised I threw it away 3 years ago). Once I’m in, I download the program. Most of the boxes are already filled in. My details (and spouse’s), my annual income, and some other details relate to the income tax. Since I have my own house, I have to fill in the details of what’s the market value of my house in 2010, the amount I’ve paid in the fiscal year and the amount that I still owe to the bank. Last year’s market value for the property was not favourable. So, if I were to sell this house, I would lose more than €50K. Not a good bargain indeed. So, a wise advice is to wait till the property value goes up again. I just hope I don’t lose all my teeth waiting.
Then, there are other details to be filled in. It’s interesting to know that I might get back the money I pay for the good cause monthly.
Check! I did. Once I read that I had to provide the bank statement showing those amounts and any other type of proof of payments, I uncheck the box. Why should I go through all this hassle and let strangers see what I do with my money (my bank statements show many transactions per page you see) ? I’ve never reported these as I remember the reason now. Let the gifts be gifts.
Once I reach the overview of my tax return, I feel relieved. I don’t care about all the amounts. My eyeballs work on finding the money I will get back for paying more than I should for my income or property. I do get back. Just a little but it is always nice to know to get a little (or nothing at all) than having to pay back. The signed and send button is there for me to press. But first. SAVE (as my printer’s cartridge is asking for a new one). Now send!
I got a notification that the “belastingdienst” received my declaration at “date” and “time”. Phew!
So, if you haven’t done yours. Please do it before the end of March 2011.
Download the digital Declaration form => Go to Aangifte 2010/ for Dutch or Tax Return 2010 for English
You must already have your logincode and DigiD password. The password you have to request yourself.
GOOD LUCK!
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!
