Quarantine SHN Life at Park Avenue Changi Hotel Singapore

Yellow!

It's been ages since I have written anything new. I have too much time on hand for now and so I though I might as well document this new chapter of my life.

Fast forward to now, I just resigned from my job as the PIC for chemical preparation at Top Glove. Throughout the 1 year plus working over there, I have actually learned and gained so much. I have experience stress and taken up responsibilities that I never though I will be able to handle. The best part is colleague over there were helpful and kind to each other Never regret getting my first ever official job at this glove company. Gonna miss'em cheer and claps daily. Haha

I got an offer for a new job in Singapore, thus here I am here on this tiny red dot island.

The whole process took maybe around 2 month, from the interview session, to waiting for all the approval and documents required for me to go over the tiny island next door. But all is good as I also needed to give a 2 months notice period to my current company to allow me to handover task to the next person.

Documents require before entering Singapore are IPA approval, Safe Travel document, offer letter from company, PCR test 48 hours before leaving Malaysia and MyTravelPass (MTP). (now the MTP no longer needed for Malaysian leaving for overseas). The IPA letter approval and safe travel document were handle by the company's agent so I am not sure about the application process, fees of quarantine  had to be pay in advance. It cost SGD1450 for a 10 days quarantine, which makes it SGD145 per day. My company bear the cost so I guess they will "squeeze" me when I start working.😂

As I wasn't sure if my MTP will approve in time ( haihh, Malaysia.....), my agent actually asked me not to go in by flight, and ask me to enter via Johor CIQ instead cause there might be lenient over there. I didn't want to enter via land as it would meant I need to travel by car and drive almost 4-5 hours from Selangor to Johor, but oh well. And the irony part is that my entry date Singapore was on 9/10/2021 and MTP actually got approve on 7/10/2021. However, I have already apply travel permit for my parents and also my sis had booked a hotel in Johor for my parents to stay a night. So, I still proceed to enter via land instead of flight.

My last day at the company was on 8/10/2021, and the next morning my parents drove me down to JB. Almost 4.5 hours journey, we park our car at Z Hotel, has a good morning breakfast wan tan mee with fishball and parents bought some banana cakes from the famous Hiap Joo Bakery as well. Then we walk by foot to Johor CIQ and I waived good bye to my parents.

The whole Johor CIQ place was quiet and I manage to pass malaysia custom with no problem . Waited almost 40 minutes for the bus to bring me over Singapore.

Bus Schedule from Malaysia to SG ( RM1.50)

Once reach the other side, firstly have to do a PCR test, payment SGD160 on the spot, and the Dr actually poke very deep into my nose, I can almost feel the tip of the testing bud touching my throat. Eww. After that, we were seated and then called up to follow the officer to go up the bus. I'm praying that I will get a good quarantine Hotel.

Rode the bus for almost 40minutes and arrive at Park Avenue Changi Hotel. It's located just maybe 1 or 2 MRT station away from Changi Airport, so I got to see planes flying nearby and quiet upclose during my 10 days SHN. We were also provided with Antigent Rapid Test Kit  (ART) to be done by ourselves on the 3rd day and 7th day of the quarantine. Once embarking from the bus, we enter the hotel, and the reception officer will hand over the key to our room and we got to choose the kind of meal that we preferred for the 10days quarantine. I choose Chinese but on the 3rd day switch to Western meal. The right decision I would say. I got a queen size bed room, a lot of toiletries, bathtub and a good view. Very satisfied and thankful.

Big comfy bed

My room's view. I can see planes flying everyday!

 

First day dinner itself was dramatic, I only got my dinner at around 9pm. Was suppose to get around 7.30pm. Everyone was opening their door and checking as our dinner did not arrive. Called the reception but no one was picking up the call. I was later told that due to a lot of new passengers come in today, they were under-staff or something and they apologize.

My bro and his GF came by on the 4th day to pass over a new roller luggage and also a new simcard. I look so lonely from the window.

               

I will be spamming the daily meal pictures below for each day. I witch to Western set because the chinese set were too blend and their chinese vege meal is actually super bad. I was forcing myself to swallow them down.

I also did my ART during the 3rd and 7th day. Just follow the steps given and it can be done within 15 minutes. One single blue lines means negative covid. Double line means positive covid and one pink line means invalid result.

Not sure why do they still give bottle water along some of the meals. I boil and drink my water from their provided tap. Should instead just give us more of the juices box. Haha

The hotel also gave 2 small box of butter cookies. Yeah.

                                                        

My sis also sent me a surprise grab delivery of coconut and mango blended drink from Mr.Coconut to make my quarantine life even better. So sedap. My quarantine time have been such a relaxing time, it almost feels like going on a vacation and I truly enjoy it. Spend my time done doing some small exercises, watching movie mostly, eating, sleeping and repeat. Also started and enrol in my new company's enrolment programme. A little bit excited for this new job.

Daily FOOD Pictures so far:

Day 1 Dinner

Day 2 Breakfast

Day 2 Lunch

Day 2 Dinner

Day 3 Breakfast

Day3 Lunch

Day 3 Dinner

Day 4 Breakfast

Day4 Lunch

Day 4 dinner

Day 5 Breakfast

Day 5 Lunch

Day 5 Dinner

Day 6 Breakfast

Day 6 Lunch

Day 6 Dinner

Day 7 Breakfast

Day 7 Lunch

Day7 Dinner

                                     

Day 8 Breakfast

Day 8 Lunch

Day 8 Dinner

Day 9 Breakfast

Been listening to Finding Hope - Tell Me (Lyric Video) feat. Cehryl

Till then, 

Cheers.

Completed my Final Year Project

Finally done and dusted my Final Year Project with title : "Develop Ergonomics Standard Extension Angle for Driver Comfort in Malaysia National Car ".

😎

I would't say I struggle that much to complete, but it takes a significant amount of time and effort to complete this research which is a process many will experience. For my uni, we were given 2 sem to complete our report. Introduction, Literature Review and Methodology was done in the first sem, continue by Result and Discussion, plus Conclusion and Recommendation for the second semester.

Sometimes I do wonder, how did I actually manage to complete and finish this research. But to be fair, my title was not that difficult, just that many complication appear throughout the road to completion, thank God for good friends and Supervisor for constant guidance and help. The moment I finished my Question and Answer session with the other panels last week, it was in total relieve to just not feel the burden anymore, thank God for good panels too. Haha  4 important lecturers that determine my final journey to graduation, My SV Dr Seri Rahayu, my panels Dr Akramin, Dr Nadiah and Mr Sayed. Gonna write this down and remember them for the rest of my life. Now whats left is another 3 more final papers and my Degree life is ending. 

I was super nervous, and my Internet connection broke twice 💭

I still remember coming in Year 1 with full hope and anticipation that I will be able to meet many-MANY friends, I will somehow create my own name in UTeM. I will be that active guy joining this and that, I will grab the opportunity to show myself and present myself. Turns out, in this 4 years, I realize that I have been more reserve with myself, only taking chances on small things that I am confident about, not putting myself out there enough to really try something new. At least I have a lifetime to train that. Throughout this 4 years, I realize that having lots of friend doesn't really matter, its the few number of quality and true friends that we all need in our life. So many of my classmates could have been friends, but only become classmates. Even the people I through would be friends, end up change and become assignment team mates/classmates.

Maybe one of the luckiest decision I made while in UTeM is joining as a facilitator and going for the mobility programme to Indonesia. I have grown so much, and to tell the truth, I truly felt I depend less on others after the mobility programme. I have decided that my decision can sometimes be the best one , and I do not need to get validation from others. I have decided that it's ok to get rejected and time can heal. And no sure whether its true, but its better for someone to fall for you, than for you to fall for someone else. Still learning that.

Back to current situation, social distancing is still a thing but I manage to hang out with my primary classmates last week. We did a short catch up and glad that everyone is doing so well. Everyone is living the dream and chasing their own incredible goals. It's funny that I will be actually going to submit my resume and apply for a job soon. From contemplating to go for master, or to go for the double degree programme, to deciding to apply as an air steward, but finally end up deciding to get an engineering related job. Talking about unexpected reasoning and decisions.

Graphic designer, future Dr and Auditor

Got my free bubble tea from Lazada too.

Free things tasted extra yummy.

Been hearing to this Christian song : Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)

Till then,
Cheers.

Malaysia MCO and 2020 Life

Today is 7th July 2020. 2020. A year many will remember for many more years to come. A year with so much sadness and tribunal and its not even reaching the half of 2020 I decided to just write this piece so that I will be able to read back and be thankful that the majority of the human race did not succumb to this virus.

Coronavirus ( COVID-19 ), started in Wuhan, China from a live market at around November/December 2019. There were so many deaths that come along with this Virus, but there were many survivors too. Till date, there is still no vaccine created yet, it all depends on each individual antibodies. The Virus spread globally and almost all countries in the World was infected. Many countries did Lockdown/Movement Order Control etc to try flatten the curve of infection.

Covid-19

Malaysia is in its 4th phase of MCO, but we already started the Conditional MCO which will allow people to go work as usual. FYI, its been about 6 weeks plus that Malaysia implemented MCO, in which no one is allow to work, except for necessary services like hospital, supermarkets, grocery related field. 

So how did this MCO affected me?

I actually went back Kajang on the weekend before the MCO was announced, and thankfully did not went back early morning on Monday because the news was announced on Monday evening. So, I have been staying at home for the past 2 months. So what does this mean to my degree? Well, the first few weeks the University Board was in discussion and came out with solution they thought fit the situation which is only 2 weeks. But then, there were MCO extension, and finally, on the latest announcement, my online classes will begin from Early May to End of June. And then 2 weeks for Online examination. I actually find this change surprisingly good, because I get to experience online learning? (which is something I actually dream about, but not in this Virus circumstances lah ) , I have always imagine Online classes and examination in the comfort of my own room wearing my PJs and munching on food without needing to attend class physically. Besides, we get to discuss during quiz and exams...haha

Thankfully, my Final Year Project does not require me to enter any lab to perform experiment and get results. Mine is just using CATIA, and thankfully I did all the measurement and all that before the MCO. It was so so lucky. As with the MCO implementation and online classes, the lab is no longer available for students to use. Students are encourage to use simulation instead. Not even sure how are some students gonna complete their FYP if they really need to go in Lab for the results.

Anyway, I have been fattening at home. Mum prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner. Dad went out for groceries, I basically didn't help out with anything. It's good to just spends day with my parents doing nothing. Its good life. I get to spend more time with Jane and the cats. Could not be better. Life is good, life is chill. Been watching netflix to pass time. Highly recommended 'Money Heist' , its one of the best movie series I have ever seen in a while. Can't wait for Season 5 release. But as much as I love my home, I just wanted to go out for a short vacay. Any short travelling and visiting would be good. Even a trip up Genting is soooo GOOD! Hopefully , this Virus crisis thing will die down soon and everything would be back to usual.

First and Last. Expensive but worth a try. I miss the chilly weather here at Genting.

Sadly, gonna give up my dream of becoming a air steward. Been wanting to try out Singapore Airlines cabin crew after graduation, but with the COVID-19 virus going around, and is predicted that it might just linger a year or two. Many airlines are actually firing staff so I doubt they even gonna recruit anyone anytime soon. Hopefully, I'll enjoy engineering life a little more than I hope. After graduation, I hope to get a good job in Singapore and start earning money . Not even sure if there will be a convocation this year, but its ok. I guess my house wall will be empty without my graduation picture. But at least I got one picture with a robe. haha ( Thanks wei hown ge, this was taken way back in 2017 ^^ )

Thanks UTeM for everything, not sure weather I will able to step into the Dewan, but this will do for now

Mother's day is coming up. Just want to wish all Mother's a Happy Blessed Mother's Day. Our Mother Earth and all the animals actually came out during this shutdown period around the world, maybe its a sign for us to slow down and not take the freedom we have for granted and to know that we human's are just the passer-bys. 

Happy Mother's Day Mum

Been hearing to JP Saxe - If the World Was Ending

Till then, 

Cheers.

Just bits and pieces of life + Genting Trip

Hey, its been so long since i update this blog, last sem was pretty hectic with my Final Year Project 1, glad its done, currently in my last semester and the dreaded Final Year Project 2, hopefully I'll survive it too.

Oh and before that, during Christmas season, I managed to invite Lip Yin and Yee Hui to my church's christmas event. Yee Nee could't make it. Good for a short catch-up. The event was title - A thrill of Hope . We have Juwita Suwito grace our event where she sang many songs, almost all if not Christian related songs and some of her own songs too.

I had a good long break after finishing my finals last sem, was suppose to stay back at uni or at least start doing my FYP2 but end up giving myself a 1 month long break + Chinese New Year break. Before heading back to Uni, my sister and me went on a short vacation up Genting Highlands even when there is the case of Wuhan Coronavirus going around but we didn't want to waste our free Hotel Stay.

We started our journey from Kajang-KL Sentral via MRT. Then bought the bus ticket to Awana Genting ( not with the gondola, you can buy the gondola when you reach Awana Station, it's cheaper that way ).

The journey from KL Sentral to Awana Genting took around minutes. When we reach Awana Genting, take the escalator to the highest floor and then book your TWO-WAY Gondola trip, total RM16. If you buy one way it will cost RM9 each way. So you basically safe RM2 if you buy them together and the gondola tickets valid for 72 hours.

Having the Gondola all to ourselves is the best thing ever to start the trip with. Haha

After about 15 minutes, we reach Genting. Cold air, best weather, I just love it!. I might even come here and work in the future. Heard the pay is good and you get free air-cond all year round, why not?

Genting is pretty cool now, there are opening their brand new FOX theme amusement park later this year, many shops, variety of food to choose from, the casino and an indoor theme park to keep you entertain while you are at Genting.

I actually had my first Burger and Lobster , nah, I still prefer crabs and shrimps. 

After this trip, on the following monday, I went back to UTeM to complete my final semester. Still currently staying in Kolej Kediaman Lestari, I hate the toilets but the room and wifi cable are pretty good. Definitely gain some fats in my stomach during the 1 month resting period as I hardly went out for jogs and exercise, so might try to lose them by going on jogs more frequent over here in UTeM.

Last semester with 18 credits, I guess I just can't wait to finish them and start working, but I know later on I will miss those moments in UTeM, if not the environment , then must be the people and friends over here. First week is pretty chill, hence I have some extra time to start blogging again.

Till then,

Cheers.

PledgeCare- A New generation of Pet Food

Have you heard of PledgeCare? I haven't.

I am not sure how did I came across this brand, was it on Facebook or a recent visit to Pet World Malaysia at Mid Valley. But, somehow they were kind enough to sent in a free sample for their latest product duck recipe food for my dog even before their launch it officially.

Got a whatsapp message from them congratulating me for being lucky enough to get the sample, they asked for my name and address and then a few days later I got my sample in a unique postage. Even though it was sent just in a brown envelope, there was a chop " SPECIAL DELIVERY FOR Darren's Pup!" .  And a small dog paw after their name. This is nice! You know, its this kind of postage that makes me excited to receive, open and try out, and made a review on my blog, because they took the extra effort to gain my attention, sometimes, its little things like this that makes a huge different.

Well , in the postage is their duck sample and also a simple brochure of their brand. They are not your regular pet food as their air-dried diets are made with 100% human-grade ingredients. They do not have artificial preservatives ( yes yes yes ! ). Upon opening the package, their raw food looks like any other brands that I have used before, smells yummy ( for dogs ) haha and slightly crunchier than other brands that I given to my dog before. 

As my dog isn't a picky eater, she jumps straight into it, and feast like its her regular treat. I only gave her about 6-8 pieces to try on and she totally enjoys it. Kept raising up her paw and asking for more.
 ( I train her to shake my hand before she gets her meal or treats ). I'll give the rest after today and might be purchasing from them real soon. That's if I have a budget for it as it is quite expensive, but hey, if your have the budget and your dogs needs better nutrient, why not give this brand and their product a try. As for this air-dried raw duck food, it contains carrot , pumpkin and papaya and made from 80% fresh meat, organ and bone and 20% Vegetable and greens. They are price at RM75 for 750g, RM142 for 1.5kg and RM274 for 3kg and they offer free shipping too.

Below attached is the content of their brochure :

And guess what, First time customers , you can get RM15 off by using the coupon code “welcome15”. They have chicken recipe too!

Link to purchase: PledgeCare
Facebook :PledgeCare
Instagram : PledgeCareOrg

Till then,
Cheers.