Freaking out December 28, 2006

Latest update :

1. IELTS – got the results on 8/12/2006. Listening : 7.0, Reading : 7.5, Writing : 6.0, Speaking : 7.0. Overall band : 7.0. Alhamdulillah.. And since then, time flies faster to me.

2. Bengkel Pemantapan Jabatan – the next weekend, the whole department went for a workshop – to enhance the subjects taught. The location – Tiara Beach Resort. Everything went fine – another week flies by.

3. Offer letter – Received the offer letter from University of Sheffield by DHL. Takes them 2 days only – arrived on Tuesday, 12/12/2006.

4. Scholarship from JPA – I sent all the necessary docs to the registrar so that they can proceed my application and advance. But I was told KPT closed their account from 15/12/2006 – 25/01/2007! So I’ll be going to Sheffield without allowances. After some calculations, I understand that KPT will pay all the allowances related to the student(me) and all others related to my family will be bound by UKM. So, all in all, will have around GBP1,900 with me (3 mths advance salary, 1/2 of relocation allowance, housing allowance and family allowance).

5. Visa – I should apply earlier. But I was waiting for some letters from KPT and UKM as well. So, the waiting was long – like 5 working days. When I was applying, it was already 21/12/2006. They sent me back because the stupid offer letter was dated 11 Dec 2006 and the start date is foolishly 01 Dec 2006! So, I have to go back to my office.. rushing e-mail to UK and asked them to fax a new offer letter with necessary amendments. When the fax arrived, the dean office which locate the fax machine already closed(5 pm KL = 9 am UK). So the next day I have to rush again to the office, pick up the faxed new offer letter, make some photocopies and ask Mizi to go to the VFS centre to resubmit – while I was going to another Workshop held at Equatorial Hotel. Man.. so tiring!.. Anyway, the University of Sheffield will be closed from the day they faxed the offer letter to 2nd January 2007. I asked the officer to courier the offer letter to me immediately to avoid problem with immigration. Then, the VFS will be closed the 3 days on the following week for Christmas and will only reopens on Thursday. Thursday is already 28/12/2006. And they still insist for the University of Sheffield to fax the damn offer letter directly to British High Commission(even I have the original copy with me by then). Man.. I hate this! Even it seems a week I have sent the application, but to them it’s just been 1 day- the last Friday. The 2-5 working days promised to process the visa application will drag my visa app to 05/01/07(minus the long Christmas & New Year holidays) .. the day I should fly to Sheffield! and all these because of that damn offer letter! Man.. I should apply earlier, isn’t it? When it should take 5 days for most people.. mine will be 2 weeks..

On medical cost December 5, 2006

Tawakal Hospital

Last week, on Monday, I went to my panel clinic to seek advise on what to do with my ‘bisul’. Doktor tu kata, tak berani nak buat apa coz that thing kat leher- takut terkena vocal chord nanti, naya je. Dia refer ke HUKM. Then on Wednesday, pergi HUKM. Lepas 2 jam tunggu, sorang jururawat panggil kat kaunter.. tekan sikit bisul tu, pasu bagi appointment utk January 4th 2007 to see the doctor. Hmm.. what if it’s serious?! Well, I was just being dramatic. Isk.. camtu depa handle situation sekarang di HUKM, ek?

So, pergilah ke Pantai Indah Medical Centre. Jumpa doktor di situ. Tekan lagi. RM2500.. he promised not to be more than RM3K. And also.. under GA. Tidur.. mesti kena masuk wad. Entah berapa la I akan end-up pula. Lepas beberapa saranan dari kengkawan, ke Tawakal akhirnya. Jumpa Dr Al-Amin Mohd Daud – a general surgeon. Terus-terang kata nak murah. And dia bagi price – around RM800. Ehh.. jauhnya beza! Terus je setuju utk buat the very next day. Under local je. It took about 30 mins, sampai doktor tu sakit pinggang menunduk, mengerjakan leher I. Then I balik ke day ward, tukar baju, terus balik. The minor op was nicely done. All the procedure cost me about RM550. Hmm.. good value!

On credit cards December 5, 2006

Citibank & Standard Chartered

Recently, a friend asked me which cerdit card is best to choose from. While it is good not to have one, but it is a conveniece item to have. Especially when you always travel and your money doesn’t flow regularly with the time when you need it most.

I would say Citibank – because through the previous years (I’ve been using it for 5 years now) they now have upgraded both my Visa and Master card to Gold. But of course you need to be an active user and have good record too. Time after time they also give you blank cheque, in case you need extra cash during festive season; and 2 years ago I even have been offered to skip my payment in festive months. Well.. it’s really convenient sometimes.

Second – Standard Chartered. It has the lowest balance transfer rate in the market that allows you to transfer your other credit cards balance in lower interest rate. In case you only afford to pay minimum amount every month with 18% pa interest rate, then you might one to opt for lower interest rate and spread evenly your credit balance.

On laptop December 5, 2006

Dell

It’s all depend on your budget, actually. For an average Malaysian female like me, I would choose Dell. I bought my XPS M1210 – a Core 2 Duo processor laptop at PC Fair 2006 last week, on Sunday. Today, after only 2 days, they just called me to confirm that they’ll sending the laptop tomorrow to my home. Wow! That’s fast. Compared to the other brands in the same range (weight, size, spec and brand), they are the cheapest in town. Mine is RM3,999. Always buy straight from their website – http://www.dell.com.my. You can check the real thing at low yat, but the best price only can be found from the website. But again, it will all depend on your budget.

On digital camera December 5, 2006

Nikon Vs Sony

I’ve been seraching for the right digital camera for the last 2 weeks. For RM1300, I would go for Nikon Coolpix S8. Lightweight, sleek, and VR(Vibration Reduction) capable. For the same spec, with slightly less ISO level, it will cost you about RM200-RM500 more expensive with Sony Cybershot T10. Plus, you can only use Sony memory card for Sony digicam. And the best price shop for digital camera is a shop located next to the escalator, 1st floor, Ampang Park, KL. I bought 2 cameras there and the boss gave me his opinion,”If you go for stylish camera to flash to the others, buy Sony. If you want better quality picture, then choose Nikon”. Well.. the camera is not the end product of what it seems – it should be the picture quality, right? Hey, I should get paid for these positive advertisement.

On Winter Clothes December 5, 2006

Travel for All Vs Kok Kong Winter Clothes

I would say Travel for All has the best price items. I’ve been around shops selling winter clothes – Universal Traveller, Sharafali’s, Winter Time etc, but Travel For All is the best. They have lots in Leisure Mall, Cheras; Lot 10 and Mines Wonderland. Shop whatever you can at the shop when they are on sale, particularly in December. Only if you look for rare sizes(too small, too big), then go to Kok Kong Winter Clothes. The shop located on the left side at Jalan Loke Yew, if you’re from Cheras/Kajang; just before the big Chinese school near DBP. The price is not bad.