My work trip to Sibu, Sarawak

My first visit to Sibu is definately an eye-opener! Although not really an exciting one but it truly opens up my mind on how stress and demanding the KL city folks are. There, people are so carefree and relax. Seriously, it's a place where everyone works slow, speak slow, drive slow...practically everything...Slowwwwww...... For a city girl like me, who has gone through life always in a fast pace and was trained to be quick in everything, I truly suffered the first night I was there! How can shops closes at 6pm??? Haha! But the second day was a little better for me, I managed to relaxed a little and starts to enjoy the slow happenings surrounding me. Starts to appreciate the nature and the views of Sibu. Starts to be amazed at how huge their drains were!

I believe my expectations of my training trip to Sibu was higher than expected and I was a little disappointed at first. But it was all in all a nice experience and I did relaxed myself for the past few days. Come Monday, will be the start of the normal busy stress lifestyle that was expected in KL city. I think I better get myself back to KL mode before Monday for I'm still on Sibu mode!

Here are some facts on Sibu town:

Sibu is a town, and the capital of Sibu District (2,229.8 square kilometers) in Sibu Division, Sarawak, east Malaysia. It is located at the confluence of the Rajang and Igan Rivers, some 60 kilometers from the ocean. The population is dominated by Chinese especially the Fuzhou as well as indigenous Melanau, Malay, and Iban. The district population (per year 2002 census) is 228,700.

There has been a marked increase in public buildings in recent years. Sibu now boasts the largest town square in Malaysia, and the tallest building in Sarawak - the Sanyan Tower ("Wisma Sanyan" in the official Malay language), a newly refurbished waterfront, and a large number of public parks. Sibu also has university-level courses offered by United College Sarawak, which has built a campus on the site of the old Sibu airport.

Sibu is the main tourist gateway to the Upper Rajang River, with its small riverine towns and its many Iban and Orang Ulu longhouses.

Sibu Jaya, located 25 km away, is being developed as a satellite town. Sibu airport, built during World War II, was relocated to its present site 23 kilometers from town near Sibu Jaya in 1994.

Tourist Destinations
Among the interesting tourist destinations in Sibu are Wisma Sanyan, Tua Pek Kong Temple and the Central Market. The Civic Centre Museum has a display of Sibu's history, and Melanau, Iban, Malay, and Chinese artifacts. The YMCA Resort is an outskirt resort getaway for camping and retreat.

Shopping

The Central Market is the biggest indoor market in Malaysia. It is home of hundreds of hawker stalls. The Pasar Malam (Night Market) is situated in the town center. Local traders will usually set up their mobile stores at around 7pm-11pm. Items on display are general Malay and Chinese delicacies, clothing, daily necessities, handicrafts and others. The 28 -storey Wisma Sanyan, the tallest building in Sarawak has the biggest shopping center in Sibu. Wisma Sanyan houses Parkson and many other shops. Other shopping complexes include Medan Mall (Everise), Farley and the newly opened Delta Mall. A Lot 9 mall will be opened just opposite Delta Mall.

Cuisine
Sibu is known for its delicious and affordable local cuisine. The more famous ones include:

"Kam Buan" noodles (干捞面) - available at almost all coffee shops and food stalls. There is a debate on which kampua is the best. * Sarawak Laksa - Nice Sarawak laksa can be founded at Aloha

"Diang Miang Ngu"(鼎边糊, similar to Taiwan's 鼎边銼)- a savoury soup available at many stalls as a late night supper. A popular joint is in an alleyway by Jalan Blacksmith.

"Bien Niuk"(扁肉, also called wanton, 雲吞. It is known as 餛囤 on the Chinese mainland，while Taiwanese call it 炒手) - a meat dumpling soup.

"Kom Biang" (光饼)- a Foochow delicacy made with flour, baked in an oven and eaten either with or without meat and a special gravy. It is somewhat similar to a bagel. However, it can be either in a crisp or soft version. Nice soft kompia dipped in pork sauce can be sought from Chung Hua road and the Sunday Market at Pedada road.

"You Zhar Gui" (油炸桧, also called 油條 in Chinese) - deep fried twin dough batter often dipped in soup or chili sauce.

"Bek Ting Yuok": The soup of eight essences - nice, sweet, tasty and nutritious Chinese soup made of at least eight types of Chinese herbal materials.

Happiness = Less Demanding

A major cause of many people's sadness is their lack of attaining things they
could live without. This is ironic. A person demands things because he wishes to
live a happier life. But with that very demand, he causes himself much
unhappiness. Give up your demand for what you are unable to obtain and you will
live a happier life.

This is so true! People definately concentrate too much on material things and has high demands and expectations in life.

What is happiness and what is satisfaction?
Their definition of happiness and satisfaction are; money, status, huge mansion and powerful cars, and god knows what else people wishes for.

I remember my dad used to tell me that I need to have a certain amount of money or income to feel secure in life. Yes, I agree as seeing how everything is getting more and more unreasonably expensive. But his ideal income is also truly impossible! Maybe within his life's experience, money is 'the' most important thing or not he would not have survived. But my thoughts and aim in life is much more than just $$$.

$$$ cannot buy happiness.

$$$ cannot buy my soul.

$$$ is useless when I die and leave only my footprints on earth.

I asked myself numerous times; if I die tomorrow, what would be my biggest regrets?

It will be not living a happy life, giving love and care to my family and friends, and care for people who are underpriviledge or less fortunate. Thus, I will leave the world feeling sad and empty.

To remind myself again that happiness is not what we have in life for it is what we appreciate that we have in life. I am very lucky indeed to be born to a complete family when some wishes to know who their parents are. I am counting lucky stars to be born without any handicap when some people have to live with just one leg. I am lucky indeed to be born in an environment where I don't have need to beg for food. I am indeed blessed.

So being happy is not such a difficult thing. Its our head that is making everything so difficult. Live life appreciating what we already have and be less demanding. Try giving more to those who needs our help and we will be blessed with happiness...

My Life is meant to be lived

An enchanting story about violinist Fritz Kreisler tells how he once came across a beautiful instrument he wanted to acquire. When he finally raised the money for the violin, he returned to buy it and learned that it had already been sold to a collector.

He went to the new owner's home in order to try to persuade him to sell the violin. But the collector said it was one of his prized possessions and he could not let it go. The disappointed Kreisler turned to leave, but then asked a favor. "May I play the instrument once more before it is consigned to silence?"

Permission was granted and the great musician began to play. The violin sang out a quality of music so beautiful that the collector himself could only listen in wonderment. "I have no right to keep that to myself," he said after the musician finished. "The violin is yours, Mr. Kreisler. Take it into world, and let people hear it."

William Arthur Ward said, "If you believe in prayer, pray; if you believe in serving, serve; if you believe in giving, give." For you and I are exquisite violins -- our music is meant to be heard.

I want to live my life that way -- to take it into the world and live it fully. I'd rather burn out than rust out. I'd rather be used up than die not having done whatever I could...wherever I would.

I'm not talking about wearing ourselves out on over-activity. Happiness is never found in excessive busyness. But it is found in investing our lives in others. Saying YES when asked for a hand. Volunteering some time for a worthwhile organization. Spending an hour with a lonely relative.

In the end, I know that my happiness will not have been about by my ability or my inability. It will have been about my availability.

My life is meant to be lived.

SMILE and the world smiles with you ^_^

There's a simple, easy step you can take that will exert a positive, powerful influence in a variety of situations. That simple act is a genuine smile from the heart.
Smile, and not only does it improve your appearance, it improves all of you. Smile, and you cannot avoid being more positive toward life.
Smile as you speak, and your voice will be more confident, enthusiastic and convincing. Even when you're talking over the phone and the person at the other end can't see you, a smile adds noticeable value to the conversation.
Give a smile to others, and you instantly improve the quality of each encounter. Smile to yourself, and new positive possibilities come clearly into view.

A smile costs you nothing, and yet it can bring so very much. Take a look around, and you'll see that the most successful and fulfilled people are those who smile the most.

Even when you can't think of a reason to smile, smile anyway.

Smile, and you'll surely create plenty of good reasons.

Do I need a title for random typing?

I always remind myself that...I only get to be Joselyn Lee once... no more second chance...so I should live life to the fullest and enjoy every single moment of it. Saying is easier than doing it. Although Joselyn Lee is not someone great nor am I someone wonderful, but I am who I am and I wanna be happy and live a simple happy life and do stuffs that I enjoy. Be with people that I love. Love those who love and appreciate me in return. Give some time to the people who needs me, give happiness to people who needs it.....sigh....I'm not feeling like myself. Forgive the confusing message that I'm trying very hard to convey now.

I guess there should not be too many confusing message here. Just want to remind myself that no matter what happens in the future, my friends is and should remain the most important people in my life! I just love them so much. Thanks to all my darlings for being there for me when I needed it the most and I love you all for that. God bless us all

Love, Joselyn

WORRY

What does it mean to worry?
The Latin concept of worry describes a turbulent force within a person. Worry is a heart and mind in turmoil.

The ancient Greeks thought of worry as something that tears a person in two and drags that person in opposite directions. It is like opposing forces in deadly conflict within the very being of the individual.

The word "worry" itself comes from an old Anglo-Saxon term meaning to choke, or strangle, and that is exactly what it does - it chokes the joy of living wage right out of its victim. And it chokes off the energy to improve one's condition.

There is a place for healthy concern, but too often our concern turns into fearful worry. And worry, more than the problem, becomes our real enemy.

Some people have worried for so long that they have become good at it. Just as we can become good at any attitude or behavior if we practice it enough, we can also become good at worrying. Worry is habit - a habitual response to life's problems.

Next time you feel yourself worrying, be like the frogs - they eat what bugs them. Decide to no longer practice needless worry and instead practice peace. Replace your habit of fearful worry with the habit of courageous action. As Harvey Mackey has said, "Good habits are as addictive as bad habits and a lot more rewarding."

Practice joy. Practice faith. And practice courage.

Soon your life will be too rich and full for worry.

The devils' work

Here's an old tale that's worth re-telling:

The devil was displaying various tools his followers should use to mislead human beings. The impressive array included Pride, Hatred, Jealousy, Dishonesty and Impurity.
Next to these was a smaller, less noticeable tool. One of the minor devils asked, "What's the name of this one, and of what use can it be?"

"Oh, a most valuable instrument, I assure you," Satan answered. "It always works when the others fail. It's called Discouragement."

It's hard to go through life without getting discouraged occasionally. Yet allowing ourselves to be downhearted not only keeps us from getting our task done – whatever it may be – it prevents us from experiencing the joy our creator wants us to know.
If things are really rough, seek help. And have faith that there will always be light at the end of the tunnel!

Decisions!

Decisions decisions decisions....yeah...just when I thought life is good and happy. I don't like being so moody all the time because of this 'trapped' feeling inside me. When I look back at my life, I think I have never regretted anything for I do believe that everything happens for a reason. I am who I am now because of what I went through in my life. The only thing I'm not looking forward to is the making this huge life changing decision...decisions that I have to make in order to move on in life. Wrong decisions? Right decisions? Life is all about decisions eh?..Am I buying the the affordable Kancil or the car of my dreams? Shall I go to college or get a job? Shall I move on with life or suffer for the rest of my life with him?

I read this somewhere and it stuck to my mind after reading it because I felt it connected to my situation now;

"Whatever decisions you make is the only one you could make. Otherwise you would
make a different one. Everything we do we choose. So what is there to regret?
You are the person you chose to be."
"Simply change your life. The world is
what you think of it. So think of it differently and your life will change"

I always think my life is so simple and I do want to have a simple life. I don't need to be super rich, I don't need a handsome guy. I don't need to wear diamonds. I don't even want to go shopping in Milan or Paris or wherever or honeymoon in the carribean. I just want the simple thing in life which is to be happy and to make people I care happy. But my life is getting more and more complicated. No point myself lying to the whole world but inside me...I'm extremely unhappy and lonely. Yeah, I can lie to the whole world but I can never lie to myself. I think I really need to get away for some time and decide what I need to do next.

I really hate what I'm going through now. I wish there's someone who can make this decision for me and tell me what to do. Sigh, I know there are people who thinks I am being very emotional and stupid, I also know there are some people who will possibly tell me that to move on if I'm unhappy and find another victim to replace the vacancy. Well, I too wish it's that simple. It's not that simple after 7 years.

Maybe I should continue with what I was doing, pretending everything is cool and put all my energy and concentration into my work. Then be miserable all over again after the sunsets and I'm alone in the comfort of my own shell, sorry, the comfort of my new Elle bed!

Another day at work

Today is one of those days where I have missed my lunch hour again! Sigh.

Early in the morning already encountered problems with my computer's software and it took me the whole morning solving the unseen problems. Not like I'm IT genius, but the IT guy is of no help at all.

Then come lunch hour, oops! Sorry, no lunch! My lunch was spent doing tele-conferencing. The worst part of the conference was me being not-IT-genius, was actually 15 minutes late. Not because I was late 'late' but because I didn't know how to work that spaceship looking thingy that was supposed to connect me to the world! 

Aarghh! 

I know I did it before, maybe few days or weeks ago. Somehow, I didn't managed to work that spaceship thingy this time, and there is always a digit or a button somewhere that I didn't clicked or pushed. Whatever. Anyway, my point is, the whole region was waiting for me for, yeah...FIFTEEN minutes! *sweat*

After the brain-storming tele-conferencing, I finally get to go out to buy myself a sandwich for lunch. Probably because I was too hungry, or might be because I was trying too hard to understand the different slang of the language we all know is English, I was almost run-over by a taxi while crossing the busy highway to get to the shop.

After my 'lunch', my brother sent me a copy of the tv ad I shot a few years back! He started to work as an intern at an Advertising firm and 'accidently' found my TVC copy! Thank god for your accident, bro!

And suddenly "It's all coming back to me now". Observing my horribly looking puffy face on screen and speaking horribly weird cantonese!

Haha!

I have 'almost' erased that image out of my mind but then again, almost is never enough. Sometimes, my family just wouldn't let me get away with my horrible cantonese. They would never fail to remind me of that ALL the time!

This is my 'acting' family and where my horrible cantonese was heard nationally.

*PROUD*

This is slightly better. 

A skincare TVC where I was the main character *I'm the one in RED* 

I had to wake up 5am for the shoot and only managed to wrap-up at 3am. The best part would be I was expected to look my best during the final run. Haha! My eye bags just can't help but revealed themselves to the nation....

Anyway, remembering those times when I was still available to go here and there for castings and auditions and not caring about a 9-5 job was certainly FUN. But it is not FUN all the time. For a TVC shoot, I need to wake up before sunrise and only managed to crawl to bed almost sunrise. I wonder how the professionals stay beautiful and gorgeous all the time!

Well, it is all good experience I can say and at least when I'm old and wrinkled I can show my 'cucu-cicit' something that their old wrinkled nenek was once young and firm!

Now, I can rest and sleep well thinking about that*wink*wink*

During my modelling days....

The Secret to a long-lasting Relationship

Do you ever wonder how some people can make a relationship last in spite of the high divorce rate and failing marriages and relationships? Here are the secrets to have a relationship that will endure a lifetime;

1. MUTUAL VALUES. You may think you are crazy about someone because of the way they look, act, and talk, but if you discover that they do not honor your deepest values, that attraction will disappear.
2. ATTRACTION. Once you know that you share similar values with someone, chemistry is important. If it isn't there, you can't manufacture it. But attraction alone is not enough to sustain a relationship.
3. MUTUAL ADMIRATION. In order to get love right, you need to choose someone you admire and respect. Relationships that last are found to exist between 2 people who have high regards for each other. Each one thinks the other is outstanding.
4. PURPOSE. Relationship of strength are between 2 people who feel an enormous purpose to their lives. They support each other in their purpose and help each other achieve their goals.
5. TRUST. 2 people who trust each other feel emotionally safe with sharing secrets. They know that the other one will never use the information against them.
6. SELF-WORTH. You cannot separate out healthy self-esteem from a good strong relationship. Both people feel they matter, are important in the world, and have much to contribute. Both people also know how to exercise their talents, know how to take care of themselves, and continuosly make their families feel proud of them.

Well, at the end of a fairy tale is always a happy ending because it is man-made stories. In real life, nothing is that simple and easy. It always take both hands to clap. If in a relationship, only one party is contributing to the above values then the fairy tale ending that we all hope for will never happen.
Our life is conquered by materialistic people and the truth is, people now are too busy chasing their materialistic dreams to care about values in life. So for those ladies out there who already found their Prince Charming and those gentlemen who already found their Cinderella, hold on to them and cherish them for there are still people out there struggling to find theirs.

I hope they do live happily ever-after. They will never mention divorce in fairy-tales right?
Joselyn -de distressed princess-