MPH BOOKERVILLE Experience

So I've been looking forward to this book fair for the past couple of weeks. MPH rarely holds book fairs, and it claimed millions of books with irresistible discounts up to 50-90% off. 

Which booklover wouldn't go nuts over it?

So I went with mom and bro to Putrajaya Internation Convention Centre,

First time using Waze to get there.

When we arrived, I was so excited! Books EVERYWHERE! A booklover's dream place to be, I must say. I started rummaging through the endless bookshelves of books looking for the rare yet cheap find.

Excuse the horrible quality of photos, my iPhone wasn't cooperating well in the large crowds. 

Endless shelves of books! 

The sea of people who swarmed PICC was shocking, but I think Big Bad Wolf had bigger crowds (not that I've ever been to one)

However, exciting as it was to see so many books in one place, I was very Disappointed in the prices. MPH boasts about books as low as RM5, but most of them were only 15-20% off! Books ranging from RM5-RM25 were very limited and so few. And books with 45% off only consisted of children books and cookbooks.

SIGH.

But after lots of digging and surveying the racks multiple times, I am quite pleased with my finds. Only costed me around RM150 for the 5 books. 

Stationaries were an adorable addition to my collection hehe

Glad I did find some good finds and using mom's CIMB card we got additional 5% and rebate RM5 voucher for each RM50 spent. At least that was worth it ;)

Hope you enjoyed your weekend! 

I'm off to finish off my impossibly high stack of books now.

Discovering Independence and Acceptance

I've always felt like it was fate that brought me to Shell Port Dickson. When I got that phone call, I just knew I had to take the offer despite having doubts about the office-based work (which seniors kept complaining was less adventurous than working hands-on in a plant, which later turns out to be a huge advantage for me).

Something was telling me, go for it. 

I've always been a big believer in Allah's rezeki for us and His plans. When I got SRCPD, I listened to my heart. And it beating peacefully was a good sign, I felt. It was different than when I different offers, my heart was racing and I was so scared, of something I don't think I will ever know. 

I was cautious the first day I came here. I doubted myself, I didn't know if I could live up to the previous trainee's performance, or even make the staffs remember me after I'm gone (which I don't think I will ever find out either). But one thing I did plan to do: try my best and prove that I am capable of whatever they throw my way. 

I've learnt something as I grew up into my 20's, the job is as exciting as you perceive it to be. If you think a job is mindless or a hassle, then that's what it will be. If you see the hikmah behind a job Allah has granted to you, then you believe that you're meant to learn at least something from it. 

I've been here for 5 weeks and a half, and I realise slowly I am discovering 2 things in Shell PD:

1. Independent working 

You're on your own. But that doesn't mean you can't ask around for tips and hints to help you. People here are more than willing to point the way, but they won't go with you. That strength to go into uncharted areas (like Operations & Finance Department) must be discovered deep within, extracted, and manifested into courage. 

2. Gaining acceptance

I honestly feel so overwhelmed and flattered by this. I came here as a trainee, no more no less. I know people will ask me to do mindless (again it's all about how you perceive it) jobs and I'm just here to learn and gain knowledge. I didn't expect to be respected, given projects with complete full trust , nor even feel like a part of the family.

But that's exactly what I got. 

And I am truly humbled and grateful by the experience. People keep believing in me to complete a task, no one smirks if I find difficulty finishing it and almost everyone here is friendly. 

No one tells me being a workaholic is bad, no one tells me I shouldn't do my work early and ahead of schedule and no one tells me to stop being such a nerd. 

I realize that all these years in college organizing my work, group-based lab reports, assignments, & projects and dutifully attending lectures & tutorials were 'training' prior to entering the working world. And work requires a lot of perseverance, effort and independence. 

College wasn't where I gained sleepless nights of experience partying or celebrating (though a couple of nights a year, I allow myself to celebrate close friends' birthdays). Heck, college wasn't even where I found that many friends, but just enough to find true ones. Instead college was where I got the discipline to prepare for work life. There, I learnt independence. Those endless years alone studying and the traumatic lack of social interaction were God's plans for something bigger in store. And not in any way I've ever expected. It rewarded me with a work life that appreciates my talents and capabilities, and most of all: accept me for who I truly am.

And I'll keep on working hard to continue adding value to whatever work I'm entrusted on, no matter how small. Reaching the top is no small feat. But each small step counts. 

Allah truly has laid out His plans so beautifully for us. But I know this is only the beginning to an amazing chapter. I know I shouldn't expect the same thing after I graduated. And I know that there will be more challenges to overcome in the future. 

And with that, I leave you with a beautiful prayer I read online:

"Oh God, I do not ask for you to ease my burden, but I ask you to grant me strength to face and overcome any burden come my way...."

LRCC at night, when I did my Operations Shift last week. 

An Introvert's Life in Port Dickson

Ah, it's the weekends again. Another 5 days of work has passed and boy has it been eventful. Life in PD has certainly been amazing. Loads of work, but the feeling of satisfaction of getting them done is great. I'm slowly interacting with people, and even making funny conversations! More than I've ever accomplished in UTP. I'm really grateful PD has been kind to be so far :) 

1. PD is food heaven. I swear there are so many food stalls here!

Here's my recent favourite nasi lemak corner (literally, it's perched under this huge tree) behind Jabatan Kastam PD. It helps when your department just loves to explore food. They bring you to the greatest places.

Such a small hut! But the sambal sotong is divine. I forgot to take a picture of the longtong I was eating. I was too hungry, my apologies.

2. Food aside, my SV sent me here for a safety training in OSHA 94 & FMA 67. If you're a UTPian this would be your 'beloved' Health, Safety & Environment subjects back in second year. OSHA stands for Occupational & Safety & Health Act and FMA is Factory & Machines Act. The whole training was aimed to teach us the requirements for any refineries to comply with safety regulations set by the government. 

Each training no doubt costs hundreds of Ringgit per person, so I'm very grateful to have been sent here free of charge.

Especially when the view is facing the ocean:

They even had swing sets! It was so peaceful and idyllic just swinging around waiting for the other dudes (I was the only girl there) to arrive.

Back to work. It was a pretty insightful session. Sure it was only about policies and rules, but it beats learning in lecture halls. Plus the 3 free meals were delicious.

 I also got to know the staffs from Shift A Team, and I will be joining them next week when I enter Operations for a week. They're really nice (everyone in PD is).

3. After work, i found a pretty interesting way to capture OOTDs:

4. And a fellow trainee and I have been obsessed with puns lately. They're so punny! 

 Happy Weekend everybody!