Life after becoming a novice monk

As a continuation from the previous post, first thing I did after disrobe is to get back to laptop checking through the emails and Facebook notifications. But that was only a few minutes, maybe 5min only? The rest of the time were used up to tell my experience to my family members. I think my mother and brother laugh the loudest from it. Maybe it is due to the actions and mimics from me. IDK

One thing that stays with me for these few weeks after the novitiate program is not having dinner at all. But after a few days, I will just take simple dinner and I'm no longer the old guy that can eat up till 4 plates of rice. In addition to that, I have been waking up at 5am automatically.

Needless to say, I shocked everybody when I return back to Plexus. The first person that got shock was my supervisor, followed up by Poh Chin and the rest. I seriously don't look good in layman clothes after becoming Botamon. Nevertheless, I was welcomed by my supervisor with a few things to do:

1. Temporary take over his position as he will be on MC for the day
2. New trainee is here, hand down knowledge to him

The next thing will be, checking my emails in my computer. For heaven sake!!!

TWO HUNDRED AND THIRTY TWO EMAILS!!!

My computer hang when I tried to open the emails. After scrolling down the list of unread emails, 50% of it are spam. Thank you Poh Chin, Kok Pin and Peng Shen for the spams =) I know you all miss me.

Well, that is up in the office. Down in the production floor, I received the same expression from others. Either their mouth or their eyes opened up wide. All I can do is just smile at them back. hahaha... The most memorable scenario is when I meet the Costing department lady. She was trying to blow out her mucus out from the nose but when she saw me, I think she got shocked till she accidentally suck back her mucus. Oops..

During the lunch time, I met my process engineer in the employee entrance and once again, I see the big eyes of hers. We trainees were actually planning to go out to somewhere nearby for lunch. On that day, we went to Bayan Baru market for it. Due to my carelessness, I totally forgotten that I'm now a bald guy. When I step out from the car, my friends are happily talking while slowly closing the car door and that's where you see me fast running away for shelter. my head was burning.

In the market there, my head was constantly molest my the people there. Sadly to say, I don't really like people to touch my head. Not everybody can touch my head.

That's all for the story of a novice monk.

Life as a monk

Living in a world of fast pace, we actually had not intentionally lost our awareness of our surroundings. We were not really mindful with our environment, health, our mind but only with our work. But I do understand, in such world, if we are slow we will be stepped over and that's the end of us. GG.. I'm just trying to say is, even at the most busiest moment, let's just not forget about the things around us such as your family, your love ones and not to let the stress workload overcome you.

Hahaha... Yup, I went.. ahem, I participated in Buddhist Novitiate Program.
In Pali language, it is called sāmaṇera. It simply means Novice monk. Still don't know what I'm talking, refer to the picture below.

Commonly known as Temporary Monk

I spent 10 days there. Two days as an Eight preceptor (still got hair!!) and Eight days as a monk. When I register myself on that day, I have to surrender all my valuable belongings such as my phone, wallet and watches to the committee. Therefore, my apologies if I did not answer your call or reply your messages.

Anyway, the registration started in the evening at 5pm and that is the time I just pang kang nia. After punching out from Plexus, I speed all the way to catch the registration timing. Thankfully I made it in time.

There were in total of 18 participants (18 Golden Monks) for this years novitiate program from various age. The youngest is Form 2 which is err 14 years old? and they are TWINS!!! hahaha... It took me 5 days to study their difference so that I can differentiate them. According to them, their mother also has problem differentiating them too @@

During the night, we were introduce to our Acariya our Teacher, our Guardian throughout the 10 days. They are Ven Dr Dhammapala and Ven Saddhananda. We (novice monks) will call them Bhante (sir) if we have any question to ask them. Throughout the program, RESPECT is very important. The junior will put the palms together and greet the senior monks.

On the very same night, we have a brief introduction among each other together with our Master and each of our us were given a Pali name. Rumours said that the name is picked based on your birthday. I'm not sure how true but my Pali name is Kassapa. The history of Kassapa can be seen here. Another one is the Kassapa brothers. Google it yourself.

After all these ice breaking, I need to find my way to my room. The room leader's name is Ooi Ah Bah (Pali name: Upali), the easiest name to remember and he is the most senior among all of us. My room consist of Six people. Three youngsters and three uncles. OK, over here, I want to highlight this uncle. Lets call him Seevalee. Take note of this name as I'm going to mention a few times in this post. SEEVALEE remember it!!!

Seevalee is the biggest snorer I encountered in my life... On my first night, I can't sleep because of him. Here's a scenario for you, you open the room door and walk two rooms away, each room is about like hotel room distance, amazingly you can still hear his snore. This is how loud he snores.

On the the second day, our head were shaved by the monks and some of the Sri Lankan Monks seem to be very happy shaving our heads. Mine wan was so happy/ excited while shaving mine. *he was smiling all the way like an evil fella, Oops*

It is then we request our wish to go forth, to be a monk from the monks in Pali language (of course there is a book for us to read it loud) and each of us will have a family member or representative (in my case, my father) to offer the robe to us. The Sangha will then accept our request and symbolically tie the some of the robe over us. We will than change into the robe and gather in the Shrine Hall and request to uphold the 10 precepts. The rules of conduct I lived with for the remaining 8 days.

I undertake the precept to refrain from destroying living creatures.

I undertake the precept to refrain from taking that which is not given.

I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual activity.

I undertake the precept to refrain from incorrect speech

I undertake the precept to refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs which lead to carelessness.

I undertake the precept to refrain from eating at the forbidden time (i.e., after noon).

I undertake the precept to refrain from dancing, singing, music, going to see entertainments

I undertake the precept to refrain from wearing garlands, using perfumes, and beautifying the body with cosmetics

I undertake the precept to refrain from lying on a high or luxurious sleeping place

Everyday for the 10 days, I woke up at 5am, all novice monks get ready before 5.30am and off we go to our small hall for a 30min Anapasati Bhavana (insight meditation). Needless to say, early in the morning, only SIX out of the EIGHTEEN people were meditating. What happen to the rest??? All went "fishing". I did my best to be mindful but I can only last for 10 mins for the first few days and it gets better as time goes on. When I can't focus anymore, I will open up my eyes but still sit there quietly not disturbing others. That's the time I can see many types of fisherman.

Type 1:

He meditates till his whole body lean forward.

Type 2:

He meditate till he open his mouth, and then you can here a soft snore coming out from it.

Type 3:

He meditates till his head can go round and round and round till his head hit the wall. The people beside him were awake by the loud bang but he is still doing his "sleeping meditation".

Type 4:

He does not pretend to meditate. He straighten his leg and sleep on the spot. Memang wonderful this fella

After that, all monks are to be gathered in the shrine hall to chat the Morning Puja (offering). To bless all the offerings made by the devotees. It took about 15 minutes to chant 15 pages of Pujas. After chanting, we will head to the dining hall for our breakfast which is offered by the devotees. Lucky enough, there are many devotees offering food to the Sangha (Community of Dhamma practitioners) Each time we eat, we will chant the sharing of merits with all beings and departed relatives.

After our breakfast, we will go to the Chief monk and pay our respect to him, asking for forgiveness for whatever we might have accidentally done and the time the Chief Monk will give us advice. Do take note, asking for forgiveness is done in Pali language also. It is a nice tradition/ concept where it should be practice in a normal lay life family; Where your children will come to you ask for your forgiveness and you give them advice on what to do or how to deal with their mistakes in the future.

After paying your respect to the chief, we will together clean the temple compound. Sweep and mop the whole temple. We were split into group which is according to our room and we rotate to clean certain parts of the temple. When we complete our cleaning, we will go have a bath, refreshes ourselves. OK, do you still remember SEEVALEE, sometimes when he bath, he sneezes. Normal people sneeze by just a simple blowing out the nose loud loud.. I believe most of you can imagine how an ordinary people sneeze. My experience with Seevalee is when I was bathing, suddenly I heard somebody practicing Kung Fu. Heee Huuu Heee Huuu

and do some walking meditation for 30 mins and off we go for Dhamma class. Over here we are taught the Buddha's teaching. Some of the Dhamma are quite profound but interesting. So deep till you will scratch your bald head to understand it.

That's how I spend the morning as a monk. At 11.30am, we will take our alms bowl and take our food offered by the devotees for our lunch. To those who don't know what an Alms bowl is, refer to the picture below.

This is an Alms bowl.

I survived my Ten days with that bowl. For the moment, this is the biggest bowl I have carried and eaten with. It can put I think 10 packets of Char Hor Fun into it and I doubt it is still full yet. Whoever kuai giak with me wan will also get spang with this bowl. It will be a *Phenggg* and you will see stars. It is made of metal. Dun siao siao. hahahaha

Everyday, we will have our lunch from 11.30am to 12pm. And whatever food that was inside the bowl, we have to finish it. The best thing is we eat with our hand and wash the bowl ourselves after the meal. The biggest challenge for me during that period is to finish all the food in 30 mins. If you don't finish on time, everybody will stare at you and that's the time you will feel paiseh to the max. One of my friend was taking his sweet time eating durian when the younger Samanera hurried him.. This is how the convo went: ~lets call the Samanera that eats the Durian as N and the person who hurried him as R.

N: *eating durian
R: N ah N, eat faster la.. everybody waiting for you, you know anot?? Just swallow the whole it.
N: huh *stares around, stop eating and throws the half eaten durian away*

After the chanting
R: Why you throw away?? Should swallow whole piece ma then your bottom there can grow extra one become three.
N: =.=

After lunch, we had two hours of break. That's the time where we have our own time. You may choose to sleep, or talk with your family members or walk round the temple. Anything that you name it. Most of the time I choose to just go back to my quarters and have a rest. It is not a wise idea to walk round the temple after lunch. Imagine your head under the sun without hair. Burning man.. lol

Next interesting event will be the Yoga. Our exercise for the week is Yoga session for 1 hour only. This is the most funniest hour I seen everyday. Can hear people ee arr ee arr screaming in pain. Hahaha.. I myself also scream for certain moves. But it helps me in sitting up straight for a longer period during meditation. Over here again, you will laugh seeing Seevalee doing the Yoga stuns.

When the Yoga is done, we are given time to bath and room cleaning. Clean the whole room and corridor and off we go for the evening Puja. Everyday after the Puja, we will chant different Sutta. Each day 1 Sutta. Eg: Mangala Sutta, Jaya Mangala Sutta, Rattana Sutta and etc. Spent average about half an hour chanting. Even it is raining, we will still go for the chanting.

After the chanting, back to Dhamma studies and Dhamma discussion. Over here we discuss lots of things that will enlightened us. I actually love Dhamma discussion. There's even ghost story/ experience was shared during the discussion. Interesting isn't it?? Right then we have a short meditation to calm down/ digest whatever we had learnt and Metta Bhavana (loving kindness meditation) before we go to sleep.

Every night, at 10pm, all lights will go off. BUT the youngsters like me can never go to bed in such early time. That's where we have "meeting" in a quiet place and start talking. Talk till 11 something or 12, than I will go to the room of Snoring Orchestra. Where 4 out of 6 people snores and 1 fella sleep talking. I get used to it as the days go past.

10 days just past like that with the same routine everyday till my last day. On the last day, all the monks walk out of the temple for alms food. We will carry our alms bowl and beg for food. In Pali it is called Pindapatta.

Me with my Kappiya (helper) in Pindappata

All the dry foods that were collected were sent to Thailand flood disaster. We have a closing ceremony and we accept the 5 precepts (pancca Silla) and then off we disrobe back into our layman life.

A group photo with our Teachers

As a conclusion from this I, slowing down my pace of life do make me realize lots of things. Realize how unmindful I am. Good mindfulness will lead to good concentration and good concentration leads to wisdom. Sabbe Satta Sukhi Hontu (May all beings be well and happy)

PS: I followed the Theravada Buddhist, meaning we eat whatever is offered by the devotees and not necessary strict vegetarian diet. But we only take two meals a day which is Breakfast and Lunch. We also sleep with the robe on and the robe serves as our blanket. Learnt lots of pali language too =D

Lets go Green War!!!

Yes people.. Its time to fight for the environment!!! In this battle we are going to plant mangrove trees. What is it called in Bahasa Malaysia?? Yes.. It is called Pokok Paya Bakau, NOT Pokok Tembakau!!!

Woke up super early in the morning on the 4th December to participate this war and drove my way to Kok Pin's house not knowing that he is still in deep sleep. Nevertheless, I'm still quite stim at that time.

Quak drove me and kok pin to Balik Pulau and it has been a very long time since I step into Balik Pulau. Took the opportunity to enjoy the scenery of it in every moment. Upon reaching the Balik Pulau Market, we ate our breakfast and was later pick up by some KDU employee to Sungai Burong, the battlefield.

On the way there, I get to enjoy the Kampung lifestyle, architecture and scenery on the way there again =) Looks very relaxing over there. The only disadvantages is no Queensbay, Gurney Plaza or 1st Avenue kind of shopping complex there. No time for Balik Pulau Laksa too. lol


Surprisingly, I get to find paddy field in Penang. PENANG ISLAND!!! The view was so beautiful that I can spend whole morning sitting/ standing in one spot just to see it. Along the way to the mud area which is inside some fisherman village, get to see some farmers harvesting the fruit trees. Something that is not seen in Georgetown. Indeed a nice view.

Believe it or not, this event is organized by KDU Mass Com final year students and I consider it a success already. Sorry, I rephrase it, a great grand success. All the helpers there are from KDU and you can only find 3 idiots there from Inti. LOL

All helpers are dressed in red t shirt while the participants that join the planting mangrove trees are in orange. Because we are not in the organizing committee, we are assigned to help a cha bor under the F&B. Lesson learnt from her is:

1. Woman is always right
2. Woman can hit guys as many times as they want without being counter attack (a bit unfair)
   

Participants from various schools, companies and organizations

The shoe that had been abandon after leaving the Mud

Fisherman Boats. The river water is used to water the Paddy Field

Mangrove planted by SHARP Employees

Overall view of the young mangrove plants. The background trees are the full grown ones

Fisherman on the way back from their catch of the day

Oh by the way, only 10% of the mangrove trees that were planted will only survive. On that day, there were err 800 trees planted i estimated and only like what, 80 trees only survive??? Man.. we are losing the battle. We seriously need more trees!!!

For more details, it can be read through the Star Online here. Full detail report from reporter is always the best. Hahaha..

Short Trip

Arghhh!!!!! WORKING IS VERY STRESSFUL!!! I NEED A BREAK!!!! I'm just kidding, I just love to travel, the sentence before is just an excuse


Based on the picture above, you would be able to guess where I went already.

It was indeed a short trip which started off with taking the first flight AK5353 early in the morning of 5th November to LCCT.


Managed to see the beautiful sunrise from the airport runway and off we go enjoying my most favourite part of a flight, taking off.. Having an enjoying flight for that 1 hour, we reached on time and off we went to Malacca after meeting up with Marcus and Joel in LCCT.

Had a nice drive driven my Joel (our tour guide) all the way to Malacca. Went to Jonker street and have a short walk while searching for a place to stay.

Heritage house. Very nice

Jonker Street

Pineapple biscuit if not mistaken

Had taste good food there such as the Chicken Rice Ball, Cendol, Dodol and some of their pastries. Spent a night in Malacca and off we go to KL the next day. But before reaching KL, we had our Brunch in Klang. What else can it be with the nice Bah Kut Teh in that area.


It is indeed very different compared to Penang's Bah Kut Teh, VERY NICE!!! or maybe it's because we were too hungry till whatever that enters into our stomach is delicious. It is not eaten with white rice instead it is accompanied with the chicken rice type of rice, eew puin (oily rice in hokkien). If you happen to go over there, can have a try on it. Just type "Hokkien Association Klang" in your GPS or Google Map.

Next destination after Klang is KL!!! oops sorry. Kota Damansara. Need to check in Hotel first. Went for a walk round IKEA follow up by The Curve and later that, had our dinner in a mall dunno call what already but its near Midvalley Megamall. Makan kat mana???

Makan kat sini

To eat there, you better reach before dinner time. Maybe 5 something. Else the queue to get a sit is extremely long.

Makan ini dan lain-lain

At the night, went for a walk alone at Encorp, Damansara. From outside it look damn quiet but as I enter deeper, damn a lot of people eating supper.

There.. Evidence. Sit till opposite of the road

Was thinking what to eat for supper while walking and it seems that I wanted to try all the food at every shop, every hawker stall. Everything that is over there I wanted to try EXCEPT... picture below

No way I come to KL just to eat Penang Kayu Nasi Kandar

Come to KL must eat something that is special.. Something that is not found in Penang and this is what I found =)

Pork Teriyaki Burger

PORK!!!! Ok, I know I look or sounded like an aborigine from some jungle but seriously.. This is the first time I found Pork Burger in my LIFE!!! lol

On the third day, the last day of my trip, my room woke up early in the morning unnecessary due to some communication problem. Nevertheless, I wanted to walk around Encorp again to see what breakfast they have. This time I went with Marcus and Alan. (no longer alone, heheh) But the weather is not on our side. It started to rain as soon as we cross over the road. Force to return back to the hotel and have a good massage on the Osim Chair till the others woke up.

Once again, we had our brunch in a some place I don't know where or it is called what. I only know it sells the best Char Siew I had tasted in my life.

Canggih mia Char Siew

Went to 1 Utama shopping complex to get Sticky Candy for my colleagues in Plexus and while shopping, sneak out to the Rich People parking area and look at cars.

Besides that, after searching for like THOUSAND YEARS for a metal body frame B777-200 Singapore Airline livery, I manage to find one. =D

SIA Boeing 777-200

Errr... That was suppose to be for my dad but he seems to give it to me. Yipee!!!

Well, that is the last thing we did in KL and off we are back to Penang through Air Asia where everyone can fly. Thank god, the weather in LCCT and Penang were fine. There were no unexpected delay during our journey back as usually the chances to be caught up in a delay is the highest in the last flight of the day.

Boarded the plane and off we lift our asses from the ground of Selangor back to Penang. Was welcomed by the beautiful sight of the Runway 04 in Penang International Airport one hour later and goodnight peeps. Need to sleep. Working day tomorrow =(

Lastly, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Joel Lim for his time and his energy to take us round KL and Malacca. Would also like to thank Ooi Hui Mei, Alan Looi, Marcus Lim and Tan May Xia for such a great companion throughout the trip =)

I Miss Training

Working Life

Working can be fun yet tiring yet bored... you name it.

A month and above I have been an intern and today there is a lecturer visit from Inti to discuss with our supervisors on our performance. Our "godmother attended our school open day". After meeting them, we have a close meeting among ourselves with Ms Joanne (Intern Godmother).

Her question was quite simple, how do you feel working here now?

To be honest speaking, I do learn a lot of things. Mostly are soft skills. I can also conclude that the syllabus I learnt in class does not apply even a single thing on it. EXCEPT one thing, to understand an engineering drawing. That's all. Voltage? Power? Current? Resistance? Whatever that is related to electrical or electronics is not mentioned at all. I kinda miss them already. I miss C Language. I miss the PSU, I miss the oscilloscope, I miss my 2nd home (Inti Project Lab) and last but not least.. I miss my Inti friends. I miss disturbing people. LOL

But then working in an Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS), what i learnt most is how to deal with people. How to deal with people that you like or don't like, how to deal with people who are cooperative or uncooperative, to build network with operators, to deal with suppliers, to know which is truth which is false and many more. It is too long to be list out.

As a conclusion to that question, fun yet boring yet tiring.

So how's my life now?

Everyday doing almost the same thing. Goes to work, unlock my computer, check email start working. Prepare Part Inspection Instruction (PII) for the Part Inspectors to do some raw material inspections before been used for manufacturing. If there are any defects, my supervisor will deal with the supplier and I will signed off the parts to be rejected and returned to supplier. If the parts are damaged badly, I will be there to prepare the scrap procedures for the finance and there the materials goes, SCRAP!!! If there are any parts that requires rework, ME will be there to repair it, of course with proper procedures and instructions. If there is a need to snap pictures of defects as an evidence for supplier, you will also find me there and writing report for that defects part, you can see it as prepared by JG Lee. Finally when a supplier comes for checking on their parts purchased by Plexus, I will be there to jaga them. The worst part is, when the supplier is not a local vendor, it is a foreign vendor, I will be there to do the suppliers job and give them feedback.

If the job cannot be finished on that day, I will OT to complete it. If I didn't OT and leave it tomorrow, I will cry the next day

Above all, my life is like that lo.. There are also certain things that i did there but not appropriate to be mention here. LOL

Life in Plexus

Hahhh... Have been working slowly for these few weeks.. Anyway, I want to update on a stupid thing i did in Plexus.

My cubicle is located at the second floor of the building. Therefore, I go work or back from work, i need to climb the staircase and this door has a card scanner.

It is very weird, during office hour from 8am-5pm, the door is open to anybody who wish to enter. Before 8am or after 5.30pm, it will auto lock and only certain people are allowed to enter. (I have access to it =D )

How to you know that you no longer have access to the door and requires card scanning? Simple, the card scanner will indicate red light and that's where you need to allow your ID badge to mate with the scanner a while.


After the mating is done.. it will turn green.


And you may now open the door and do whatever you want.

Now... For the first TWO weeks I worked there, the door lock somehow malfunction. When it is in red light, all i need is a little more force to pull the door and it is open. Of course with the alarm rings, but who cares.

Now, here is the stupid thing i did...

On the third week, the door was repaired. AND I KNEW IT WAS REPAIRED!!!
I OT till 9pm, I packed my stuff, carry my shoe with my right hand and water container with my left hand. I happily walk down the stairs towards to that door. Seeing my hand are all fulled and not able to carry up my ID card, I increase my speed when going down and when I am near the door, I use my whole weight and momentum to bang the door.

All you can hear is *Pong the door sound followed up with Arrrrrr.... from my mouth.


I bang this thick door with my shoulder. Needs to go back and apply oil cos lebam terus.

No Sense Of Time

It's a sad thing not to have a standardize clock. My house clock is fast 10 minutes. My watch is fast 5 minutes. My car clock is fast 3 minutes. My handphone clock is fast 4 minutes.

The best part is, i refer to all these clocks every morning. In the end, I confused myself with the actual time. The worst part is, I don't know I'm late for work or just ON TIME for work =P

With all these lau chui, inaccurate times i have all.... I make it this way. Each time I step out from the car after I parked it in Plexus, I see an A330 or B777 from Cathay Pacific flies over my head; I'm early. Otherwise, I will run faster than Usain Bolt to the employee entrance.

A330

After working for 6 days. I miss the plane twice. Oopss.. LOL

And working over there, allows me to hear plane flying over everyday. Very saddening. Get to see many Air Asia and Malaysia Airline planes taking off. By just hearing the roaring of the engines makes me errr.... *unexplainable feeling

Black Room

Black current all of us have heard of. Black box, some of us have heard of. Black room?? what the heck is that? Continue reading.

Its the end of my first week in Plexus already. I basically know every place that I should know or have to know. My access card also can access to places I suppose to access too. (mostly places with pretty staff =P)

Today is a very special day where I want to blog on it. What is the special thing??

I met the General Manager(GM) of Plexus

So what's the big deal. He's just another human being only.

He's not the big deal, just that he is very weird.

When I know that I need to find the GM, I was like kinda shock. WOW, I'm just a trainee and I need to find the GM for his signature on the documents. That doesn't matter, worst is I don't know where he sits. So.. I asked my supervisor to take me to his room, at least show me around. All he did was, just tell me the direction and left me like that.

Directions:

1. You go down from this office.
2. You turn left, into another office.
3. You walk straight till the end.
4. Then you will see a black room. A very dark room.

Me : Huh?? Dark room?? Black room?? You mean the room glass is tinted?
Supervisor : No no.. It is really dark. Our department call it the BLACK ROOM. Because the
GM doesn't like to ON the lights wan.
Me :Ooowh.... Interesting person. hahaha..

Now we know what is black room.

Anyway, today I went marathon round the plant. North to south back to north to somewhere I don't know, here and there and to the black room.

During the marathon, before going to the finance department, had a short conversation with my department head as he was the tour guide.

Department head : Do you want to comb your hair a not?
Me : Huh?? For? *thinks that my hair is in a mess*
Department head : Because we are going to the finance department.
Me : So??? *very puzzled look
Department head : So ah, there got lots of leng lui wan wor..
Me : -.-, LOL
Department head : Hahaha..

After that, I was left alone to find the GM. The room was really dark. He seriously didn't on his lights. An energy saving general manager =P

At that time, he was on a phone conference with I dunno who. I couldn't wait any longer, so I just left the place. After an hour, I went down again but this time his secretary asked me to get his signature other day but I said it is urgent as the GM is in bad mood. Only then the secretary only allows me to get in but she is like, if anything goes wrong, she will like use me as a shield d. At that time, I'm a bit frighten by her but I'm still steady.

During that time, when I enter the room, the GM wasn't there but there were two people, I believe marketing or some executives preparing for presentation. They were both damn freak out. Keep asking me not to come, GM very bad. I can see the female staff keep shaking and the guy keep calming down himself. Seeing both their actions really makes me thinking like I'm about to ask a tiger for his paw print.

As the GM is walking back from toilet, I said, OK, the GM is on his way. Both of them, again like err, prepare for the him to walk in, sit properly, get the papers all arranged properly all that. When he walks in to his room, I greeted him, then his secretary showed him the documents I passed to her, and he stares at it for a while. The secretary hint me to come forward and explain what it was about. Stepped forward, introduced myself from which department and tell him the purpose of my presence there. Was questioned a few things about it, AND LUCKILY all the the questions he asked, the answer is located on the paper. So I just happily read it out. Hahahaha...
After that, he signed the document than I was relieved, quickly walk out the room and I don't want to know what happen inside after that. LOL

When I told my department head about this, he was damn worried on my behalf when he gets to know that the GM asked me question. hahaha...

Anyway, somehow on Friday, all the top level management like kena PMS like that. Luckily, my boss wasn't like that.

Access Card

Haaa..... Third day of my work. =) Get to meet my supervisor and manage to enter the production floor to have a look. Got my allowance too and also got my access card to Plexus =D

The card that I used for past three days to enter the front entrance

This card very cacat... Everyday, I need to go to the security office to return back this temporary card and it can't allow me to access certain areas in the production floor.

BUT

Today, I finally get it.

I know I look like a "sohai". LOL

By the way, after looking at the photo, I think Plexus photoshop my face. Either that or their camera suck. Hahaha..

Too bad, I can't show you Plexus production floor as no camera is allowed in that area and no project names can be revealed into public. All I can say is, it is divided into three section. They name it North Bay, Central Bay and South Bay. There three itself is already damn big d. Haven't cover the warehouse/ inventory yet.

Internship

Yes, I am now doing my internship in Plexus Manufacturing Sdn Bhd. (Riverside plant)

Reported for duty last Monday, and was greeted by a beautiful Human Resource Staff, Jessica Lim *whoot* who contacted most of us and in charge of our placement.

Anyway, I'm now under the Supply Quality Engineering Department. *lousy department* This department is just another name for Quality Assurance (QA) for all supplies before it is been manufactured.

Huh??

I mean, it checks for the suppliers parts quality before it is used to be manufactured/processed

Most of us got placement in Plexus, but quite a few were placed in different plant. Mostly in Hillside.

Anyway, our first day, we are required to wear the shoe cover. I'm not sure for what reason but I believe is to prevent us from picking up static from outside environment.

That cover just reminds me of my Taekwondo Sparring safety shoes.

After the orientation, all of us went to our respective departments and I get to meet my boss, get to know where I sit and sadly I can't meet my supervisor. He was on Emergency leave =(

After lunch hour, we got our ESD shoes. A shoe I MUST wear all time when I am in Plexus building. ESD simply stands for ElectroStatic Discharge Shoe. I now have no fear of touching any metal objects and get myself shock anymore =D

I know the ESD shoe look like girls shoe

Besides that, they also provide us the ESD Smock.

Look more like a doctor.

Manage to see part of the production floor. Yet to enter in there to have a look. That's all for my first day I guess. Pretty boring day. In fact it is VERY boring.

Ohhhh..... one more thing. Plexus very bad to their trainees. They don't provide internet access to their employees. Damn sad. When I got nothing to do, I just walk round and round and round the office. Jump round and round and round the office. Now you can imagine how boring it is. WORST is!!! I cant sleep!!!! WHY?? Because I sitting next to the Department head. =(

Short Updates =)

A short update for my almost dead blog..

Life has been busy for this semester as most of the time i am only stuck with FOUR things:

1. Write report
2. Write program
3. Troubleshoot circuit
4. Sleep =P

Writing Report.
Why cant engineers have secretary??? Where all reports can just be thrown to them while we can use the time to troubleshoot circuit or debug codes =D

Write Program
I have been talking C Language more than English Language.

static interrupt void isr (void)
{
if (scope girls or pretty girls walk pass)
{
stop all work;
open eyes big big;
}
// dun reset interrupt flag =P
}

void main (void)
{
if(ppl invite gaming)
{
show ur sad face;
turn down invitation, laptop spoil;
}

while (project design)
{
procrastinate the work;
}
}

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
\/
-----------Build Successful-----------

=.=

Troubleshoot circuit
Screw it, dont want to talk about it.

Sleeping
Most supported and a popular hobby among errr students??

//---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Got a super early present from my friends this year. I got a calculator!!!!

Thanks a lot to Joel Lim, Ooi hui Mei, Mrcus Lim, Tan May Xia, Teh Wen Ping, Alan Looi..

WIra

All a sudden I'm feeling like I'm starting to drive a dangerous time bomb on the road. My car is starting to give its old age symptoms. Starting of with the Fuel Pump, then the leaking of oil into the engine (requires overhauling of the engine >.< ) , then the brake master cylinder pump seems to rust and cause improper braking system. Now with the Oxygen sensor and speed meter spoiled.

The damage oxygen sensor will cause my car to received a false feedback system into the engine causing insufficient air to be supplied into the combustion chamber. As a result of this, I will have higher fuel burning and also sometimes suffer. When I accelerate the car, the engine will just die out. I'll be like WTH!!! quickly push the gear to neutral, off the air cond and restart while maneuvering the car with the remaining forward momentum.

The Speed sensor pulak, is the one that causes my car not able to change the gear smoothly due to false speed feedback.

Where The Hell is The Black King????

Black King went Undercover as Rook. hahahahaha....

I got this movie from my friend. A very nice movie. I had already watched it four (going to be fifth) times. It's about the life of 3 engineering student in a college in India. The movie is hilarious yet meaningful. All engineering students should have at least give one shot at this Indian movie. BUT please get it with subtitles if you don't understand Hindi or else the fun is spoiled. =D
I'm starting to listen Hindi music again already. Owh, you can also learn a few Hindi language there. Nalaikob HAHAHA!!!

On the way back from getting this movie, my car breaks all a sudden malfunction. Luckily it did not fully malfunction, still manage to break but need to rapidly repeating stepping on it to gain the breaking effect. Quickly get it done the next day, and now the car break is super sensitive. A slight pressure on the break pedals, feels like an emergency break...

I remember seeing this airport in the simulator

Semester Break

Most of the time I'm doing house work. AND also ample time of sleeping.

I have been planning to do some exercise to burn off my spare tire but the weather in Penang doesn't allow me to do so. It keeps on raining and raining and raining and making me sleeping and sleeping and sleeping. The whole plan just went inverted/opposite.

Anyway, last Monday, I received a mail from the college stating I failed Mobile Communication and I need to resit the paper (that's why I did mentioned earlier, I don't want to me a Communication Engineer) It did make me down for that day, fearing and thinking how my parents gonna brush me. But it turned out.. errr..." OK "as my father say, "never mind". *dun get shock, I'm also SHOCK.

Ahh... after that sad day, manage to get myself up and not allowing my sadness carrying me away. I went for some simple yet challenging taekwondo training. My God, once you stop training, its damn hard to get back the momentum in a few hours. My body is now like a ROCK. I'm no longer that flexible as last time. I had a two rounds of sparring at that session. Aiyooo, my standard drop become white belt d. Damn sad... hahaha...

After coming back from training, I reached home seeing my brother sakit kepala choosing what subjects for his form 6. He blur, so he ask me. I also blur, then we sama-sama blur together.

The same night, I also manage to bake cake. Phew... after so long of not baking, got a bit scared also. It has been a long time i did plan to bake a cake and i better take the opportunity now before I don't have time for it again. If I were to follow the plan, I'm suppose to try out the Chocolate Banana Cake but after some cost calculation, it is quite expensive. Therefore, plan REJECTED!!!
Searched through a cheaper cake and manage to find one. Most of the ingredients are already supplied and the steps are simple. Its called Marble Cake. After following the instructions and do do do and la la la and play play play... den finally TADAAAAA.............

The Ugly Cake

but after cutting inside the cake, it looks not bad. Hmm...

I dunno why but i just like the colour mixture pattern

The recipe of this cake and be found in the link below. It is a easy and simple one to start off for beginners.

http://suzettecooks.com/2009/05/marble-cake/

Anyway, I'm still waiting for some feedback on the taste of the cake from some people.

As for the next day, which is Thursday... Watched Pirates of the Carribean.


The movie is quite funny as you know Jack Sparrows character. A real joker.

Arghh.... Two weeks of holiday is coming to an end. Half of the holiday was spent worrying the results (LOL) and the other half of the week is...... still on going

Degree life.... part 2

Ah.. the exam is over. Still worry about it. =(

Watched this movie right after the exam. Its a nice and exciting movie. Like my friend said, pity all the police cars. Hahaha..

Anyway, it seems that I have wasted quite a lot of money in this semester on a Mini Project and also a H-Bridge DC Motor Controller. These two projects hit my pocket a while. LOL... Nevertheless, I'm satisfy with the projects that I have gone through.

About the H-Bridge design, it is a circuit that can control the speed of the DC motor without any power loss. It took me a while cracking head together with Wen Ping and my other teammates on this design. Sadly, our design got rejected for about ermmm three times xD

But once the design is Up and approved, transforming it from paper design in to a real circuit is done. Thanks to the fast action from Joel and Hui Mei, we manage to get the components on time to be tested before meeting the deadline. Somehow, when come to assignments, deadline is always the best motivator. It drives you further than you can imagine. Hahaha... but it is also bad =(

Credits to Joel and Hui Mei for constructing this

Somehow, when testing high current circuits, I think I don't want to touch any of the electronic components with my LEFT hand. For some unknown reason, any circuit that i touch with the left hand will make me become like the picture below

You may say maybe it's just a coincidence but will you still call it a coincidence when you got it trice??? =D

Upon testing and troubleshooting the circuit, it is finally proven that the design works. YAY!!! * so happy till the rest of the day no mood to study =.=

It has been a while not looking at an analog Oscilloscope

Here comes the money wasting part... PCB
We are not allowed to demonstrate our project on the breadboard. Each of us must come out with a PCB layout design to be demonstrated. Due to my laziness, I let my friend do for me :p
Anyway, I still want to thank him, Ooi Xans for the design. When he sent me the design, I was shock to see how compact his layout is which is a good thing. *Salute him man

"My" board

And when a person becomes to bored and stressful, weird things starts to come out.

Guess what shape is that?

Hahaha... I remember after completing this Lab, I have a test to sit. A test that i have ZERO knowledge on it. Thanks to OHM for the crash course, I think I can still tahan kua




After all of this are done, I still have one more to go. The Mini Project.

What project????

Well the title of the project is Infra Red Proximity Rear Sensor.

WHAT???

It's simple circuit which uses Infra Red sensor that commonly fixed at the back of your car to sense the range of the object and the sensor.


This circuit ahhhh, I tell you all laaa.... Make me pek chek the most wan errr..... Very funny wan wor, the circuit only works at night wan wor, it does not work at day time wan. Wasted my two days troubleshooting it when only I realize that Infra Red are sensitive to sunlight and to overcome this problem is by lowering the resistance value at the receiver.

Infrared Under Camera lens

Well nevertheless, that wasn't my job. My job is to write the source code to interface the sensors with the Microcontroller asking the processor to perform certain actions when receiving certain voltage signal (Analog to Digital Conversion)

When a signal is non consistent like I have encounter, the programming will be very hard. You will get to see the message displayed below.


Arghhh.... The initial plan was to display the distance in between the object and the sensor on the LCD but due to variation and inconsistent signal, a few hours before demonstrating, I got to sit down with my partner and discuss weather to scrap off the LCD section. It is than we came into decision instead of showing distance, why not we just show the rage, Eg: Close, fairly close, extremely close. Thank god, this is just programming work and requires no alteration on the hardware design. Otherwise, we have insufficient time

Tadaa, the final outcome of it