# my house is finally wireless-enabled after such a long time, blame it on my lack of initiative and the absence of a laptop back then, what's the point right? I feel so contented knowing that I can now watch TV and surf the net at the same time, in the comfort of the living hall

# thinking of doing a total revamp on Seeds Of Life

# this morning, as I reversed my car into position, I had a sudden realization that something is missing from the passenger's seat leg compartment. A split second later, to my horror, I finally realized that my leather shoes were not where it was supposed to be, total ZOMGs. A quick search on the boot later provided much relief, the old pair was neatly tucked in the corner. See darling, its not always a bad thing to be keeping old/unused stuff

# its always good to have back-ups eh? Just so you know, there was once that I even forgot to bring along a pair of socks to work because normally I drive with slippers or sandals, more comfortable. Since then, I always have a spare pair of socks in the glove compartment of my car

# monday blues enhanced due to lack of tasks and also a ruined sunday morning, read previous post's ending to find the reason behind it

# here's another update on the progress of my little dwelling which hopefully will be completed as scheduled, looking at the current status does not give me much confidence on that though, sigh

As you can see clearly in the picture, the rows behind ours are progressing much more faster, even the bricks have been laid. Nvm ler, better late than never

# Last but not least, this post was written early in the morning while taking a dump in the toilet, talk about multi-tasking. Don't you just love being wireless enabled?

Think Twice.

As quoted from The Star Online, dated June 25th, 2008 on a not so beautiful Wednesday, "According to outsourcing and consulting group Kelly Services, which conducted the 2007/08 survey, base salary in both sectors (the oil and gas sector and the information technology industry) increased by 30% followed by the engineering sector at 28%."

If you're actually in consideration of joining the IT industry after stumbling upon the above quoted, my sincerest advice, seriously think twice, twice. While I have not the slightest idea on the target group surveyed, as in their job level and focus, and I secretly hope to be joining them soon, a quick browse through online job sites revealed the following:
- the average starting salary for an IT fresh grad ranging between RM1800 to RM2200
- a developer with 2-3 years of experience only between RM2500 - RM3000
- a senior developer can fetch around RM3000 - RM3500, on average

And so, from what I can see, the salary range is still pretty much the same, especially for the fresh grads, similar to what I was offered when I first job hunted. Of course its a different story if you're hopping into the SAP bandwagon or hired by large MNCs, hence the word average. Taking a developer's salary at RM2800 per month as example, if a 30% increment was really given, it would shoot up to a staggering RM3640, that would totally come handy to cushion the price hike in practically everything. I would totally love that!

Anyway, just to share with you, surviving in the IT industry is not an easy feat, especially if you're doing software developement because you have to be really, really, really interested in what you're doing in which I admit, I am not, to the extend that I hate programming at times, serious. This is coming from a person who has worked in the industry for 3 years plus in various positions, from Associate Consultant to Software Engineer to Senior Software Engineer then back to Consultant again; just different job titles, all still doing the same thing, coding and software developement.

You know what, since I'm feeling pretty generous today, I'll share with y'all some of the experiences working in the IT industry that you might have or have not heard of, just to get a better picture of how things are like in there. Not really applicable if working in front end IT departments, like the banking or insurance sector:

- there's no standard working hours, you start with the rest of the people but ends only when work is done and at times, that would stretch way past midnight

- did I hear someone say OT? What's that? If required, you might see yourself spending your weekends away in the office. Been there, done that

- your best friend is your workstation, you will be spending more time with it more than any other person or thing around you

- you might be working from home, in the office, client's site, in other states or overseas, which can be a good or bad thing and honestly, you'll be praying for less travelling or time abroad once you've had too much of it

- can't help but feel that software houses are slowly phasing out the concept of bonuses from their business and employees, perhaps this was what fueled some of the high increments. Even if there is, its usually one month, two the most

- the pace of change in technology is faster than you can say wtf and guess what, its your job to keep up with it. At one point, its good cause you're learning as you grow, on the other hand, there's a chance that of the stuff you've learnt become obselete

And many more but I'm gonna stop here because trying to come up with additional items is making me feeling more depressed, oh the irony. But of course there are lots of perks working in the IT industry as well but I'll leave that for another day. Like all the wise men says, there's always a good side and bad side in everything, the yin and yang of life cheh wah suddenly so philosophical. Anyway, hopefully what I've mentioned above can be of some insight to those concerned, providing a better picture of working in the industry from the perspective of a software developer.

Sekian, terima kasih.

p/s: Post inspired by the fact that I had to suddenly cancel my plans on a Sunday morning to head back to the client's site for deployment troubleshooting. Bias-ness exists in the post, hence might not be 100% applicable or accurate.

The Kin Kin Adventure.

Yeap, you got that right, I've finally tried the infamous Kin Kin Chilli Pan Mee after hearing so much about it for the longest time ever. It was a fine Saturday afternoon when we headed to its branch in Pandan Indah, first one I think, bet you didn't know that yet right? It's the first corner shop after a left turn of the row of shophouses opposite Steven's Corner and if you can't visualize the location, just drop by and pick me up, I'll gladly guide you over for a bowl of the pan mee, your treat of course. Ons?

The interior of the branch in Pandan Indah and from what I heard of the main stall, this one is much more cleaner, less crowded and most importantly, air conditioned. Oh, not forgetting, more approachable staffs

The most important ingredient of the pan mee, the super spicy chilli that tasted and felt that its been fried beforehand

Before picture of the Pan Mee, the standard size, there's no small or large, only one bowl or two bowls, three bowls if you can and even more if you're nuts

This is after adding the chilli flakes and mixed the stuff around. Since I'm spicy intolerant, don't dare to put that much after tasting some of it initially. Seriously, don't play play

Additional bowl of mixed fishballs, meatballs and foo chuk ordered

Perhaps due to the air conditioning, we had to pay an additional 50 cents per bowl, the 5 bowls of pan mee plus 4 drinks, that bowl of additional stuff and few scoops of chilli costs RM30.20, rather expensive considering the portion being kind of small. My verdict, not exactly as superb as expected due to the countless recommendations but still much better than the normal ones only if mixed with the chilli and this is also a reminder to self not to lansi by thinking that its not enough before trying.

Venezia, Revisited.

After like 2 years. Not much noticeable changes as far as I could remember, other than extremely polite waitresses who addresses all the patrons with Miss, Madam or Sir and the colour of printings on the serviettes. And somehow the restaurant felt quite stuffy due to the poor ventilation perhaps because at one time, some stuff was overcooked, I assume and this scent of burnt stuff lingered throughout the restaurant, lasted for quite some time too. And because I am very forgetful as well, as ya'll already know, names of the food has been generalized. Oh, even the menu, and the choice of food available, has not undergone any major revamps, same old, same old.

Serviette.

2 Ice Lemon Tea.

Pizza, seafood.

Pasta, clams.

After the first few bits, it got me wondering, what actually held me back from being a frequent patron of this restaurant (later on, the bill actually reminded me why). The quality of food was top notch and the taste, needless to say, still superb. I especialy enjoyed my pasta, the presence of chilli flakes really adds to the flavouring! The pizza was a little too sourish for me, due to the abundance of tomatoes but according to Jacklyn, that's the ways she likes it. And halfway through the frenzy triggering mode, the camera ran flat, kaput-ed.

Anyway, the bill came to around sixty-ish for pizza, pasta, drinks and the service charges + tax. In general, for Italian cuisine, its actually not that expensive but the chinese in me is crying foul just by looking at the receipt. I guess this is still better than having to drive all the way doen to Chulan Square for Rakuzen *shivers*.

Off I Go.

On an epic adventure in search of the lost spirit of blogging in hope of maintaining the continuation of Seeds Of Life, thus, there can be no failure, only success. For the time being, as I wade through the deep swamps, trek the treacherous mountains, cross the scorching deserts and swim the roaring seas, I shall leave you all with a picture that serves no particular special meaning or message or what-so-ever.

Till the day I return from my journey and meet all of you once again, adios and wish me the best of luck in finding the lost spirit of blogging! *plays Indiana Jones theme song in the background*

p/s: In the meantime, you might be seeing new posts between this one and the previous ones. Have no fear at all, it's just me filling in the lost and forgotten gaps during my epic journey. Yee Haa! For now, please continue humming Indiana Jones theme until you get sick of it.