My RM14 haircut

Today, in addition to waiting and worrying about job offers at home, I decided to do something extra. I got my hair cut!

I’ve always wanted a layered look ever since the beginning of last semester but since I was very busy, I couldn’t find time to go to the salon. So my hair grows and grows and grows up until a point when people would say I look like a Pontianak. My hair was very thick, very black and long.

So I went to this small, secluded salon near my house. I’ve always preferred small salons compared to big, swanky, posh ones. The reason is, ‘professional’ hairdressers are usually know-it-alls and they would cut my hair according to how THEY like, not how I would like it to be. Plus, they would criticized my hair (lots of dandruff, oily, too thick that you broke my brush).

Presenting…my new look!

Tada!

This is the third time I opted for a layered hairstyle. But this is the first time that I actually LIKE it. The first time I tried the layered look was when I was 14. The hairdresser was so stupid, she chopped my hair short, instead of layering it. The second time I tried it, the ‘professional’ hair stylist made my hair looks like a bowl.

The hair stylist gave me a wispy, layered look…making my formerly thick hair look thinner and light. But at the same time, my hair has volume, which I like. And this new style isn’t too “structured”, it’s more natural and ‘messy’ and I like it!

Wooh…I like it a lot.

Messy, out-of-bed hair.

Long at the back...short at the front. I like I like I like.

The hair stylist gave me a wispy fringe as well! I likeeeeeeee….

What I like about layered hairstyle…you can go for short, shoulder-length hair…

…or medium length hair at the next minute…

…or long hair! Totally versatile!

I would also give the customer service an A+. The hair stylist was nice, friendly, chatty Chinese lady. As usual, I got asked whether I’m have Chinese parentage. And as usual, I would have to explain that I’m partly Japanese which leads to a series of questions about my ancestry. But the thing is, I don’t really know my family history :P I only know I have Japanese blood from my mother’s side. The stylist said that this new layered haircut made me look even more Japanese.

This haircut cost me RM14 only.

Before I left, she told me to come to the salon more often coz she would like to see my ‘pretty face’ more often (AHA! The oldest trick in the book…using compliments to attract customers!). She also told me that I have nice eyes and that I should wear mascara to accentuate it. I always wear mascara, but today I was too lazy to wear full makeup.

Can’t wait to meet my bf and show off my new hairstyle!

Another day in the life of an unemployed person (read only if you're prepared to be bored!)

Had another dream involving a medical check up last night. In the morning, I was waken up by a phonecall. I was dissappointed to find out that it's not from a company, but from Uniten. Yesterday I had requested for a letter to certify that I've completed my final semester and awaiting my result. Well, the letter was ready so I went to Uniten to collect it this morning. The traffic along the way? Oh my God. Let's just say the Malaysian roads are full of these 2 species of human:

a) Those who have no idea where they are going and drive sooo slow that I think they are better off WALKING

b) Those who knew too well where they are going and drive fast like a maniac

Anyway, my car is still shaking if I drive at 90kmh or more, even though I had send it to the service centre last week. Hmm I wonder why?

Activties of an unemployed person a.k.a ME!

1. Always wake up early in the morning. Reasons:

a) Sleeplessness
b) Used to wake up early to attend interviews

2. Rarely finish my meals. No appetite.

3. Walked around the house in my pajamas until 1pm. Then showered. Didn't wash my hair though...for DAYS.

I think the 3 points above describe what people mean when they say 'Tidur tak lena, makan tak kenyang, mandi tak basah.'

4. My laptop is my best friend. I check my e-mails every 5 minutes, hoping for some good news. And when I couldn't connect to the Internet, I cursed Streamyx.

5. My handphone is with me at all times. I never put it in silent mode, even when I take naps. I wait anxiously for somebody from HR to call.

6. I pray. A lot. This whole job seeking thing has made me become a more religious person.

7. When I have nothing better to do, I take naps. Only to have dreams that are related to my job search.

8. I blog (err...2 posts in one day?? Wow!)

9. Facebook-ing, Tweeting.

10. Daydreaming and making a list of things I would buy once I get my salary.

a) Get that Samsung camera I've been eyeing on for a looong time.

b) Get a new hairstyle.

Anxiety

Lately I can wake up at 6am without the help of an alarm clock. Preparation for work? Haha I think so. And lately I've been having lots of nightmares, all related to job interviews and medical check ups. Every night I will have all these weird dreams, without fail.

This week is the critical week for me. I think all of my interview results will come out this week. But there's only one company which I really really want. But there are so many things pending. The result of my medical check up, my full examination result, my transcript. Called Uniten this morning and I was told that the transcript will be out on June 24th! But they can print out a letter saying that I've completed my studies though.

I know I should have some back up plans. Send more applications to other companies, just in case. But when I was about to send in my CV, and I looked at the company's website and the description of the interviews, I felt so...unenthusiastic. I don't think I'll have the energy to go through more interviews, psychometric tests and case studies. The job market is very competitive nowadays as everyone have a degree, so people judge your intelligence by those tests and your ideas for the case studies and debates.

I won't be able to relax until I get my offer letter.

Medical check up

People say that when you are asked to go for a medical check up, you're one step closer towards being hired by the company. Well, my dream company called me 2 days ago (a day after the interview) and told me to go for a medical check up.

You see, I have a fear of doctors, hospital, clinics etc. The one and only time I went to a medical check up was before I enrolled in Uniten. The check up was so simple though, lucky me. There was just a colour blindness test, urine test and x-ray. But this second time I went for medical check up for employment, oh my god, they checked EVERYTHING, every single detail about me, as if they are sending me into space and I can't carry any health risk with me.

After I filled up the forms (with shaking hands, I might add), I was told to do the eye test. My eyesight was as bad as a pig, even with my contacts on! It seems that my power has increased after all these time studying and doing all these projects.

Next, they measured my height, weight and I did the colour blind test. These are OK. Then I had to sit for the HEARING TEST. The nasty nurse locked me up in a small confined space (pity those with claustrophobia), I was told to put on a headphone and everytime I hear a sound, I need to press on this weird device. The noise was sooo faint! I don't know the result of this test. Am I deaf? Yet to find out.

Then, came the urine test. I had to pee with the toilet door open. I passed the urine test. After that they sent me for x-ray. I had to do the x-ray TWICE. The first time I did it, the radiographer said my lungs are too large and it didn't fit into the x-ray film. What the...? I asked her, "Am I abnormal?" She said no, "Maybe awak sebab awak kurus kot." I think it's not because I'm thin (I'm a bit on the curvy side). I think she didn't adjust the equipment right. I don't know the outcome of my x-ray though :(

My final torture was being called into the doctor's room, and being checked from head to toe. The doctor confirmed with me that whatever I declared on the health form was true, and she checked my blood pressure, heartbeat, my throat and my teeth. Then she told me to lie down on the bed and she performed a few more checks.

Right now, all I have to do is wait and worry for the result of the medical check up. Dear readers, please pray for me! I really really want the job!

The Interview

Today has been the most tiring and stressful day in my entire life! Woke up at 6am, prayed, showered, had my breakfast. The interview with dream company starts at 8.15am.

Once I arrived at the company, I had a really bad stomachache. I thought that as soon as I registered, I could go to the toilet. NO. I had to do an employee profile test. Reallyyy hard ok. There are about 20 columns, and for each column you have to agree with one statement, and disagree with another statement.

Example:

Energetic
Hardworking
Cheerful
Result-oriented

All of these words described me. But in the end I have to say that Yes, I am hardworking and no, I am not a cheerful person.

After I was done with the employee profile test, I stood up to go to the toilet. But next came the psychometric tests! There were 3 tests: verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning and diagrammatic reasoning. I didn't finish answering all the questions though. The questions are really tough, and there wasn't enough time.

By the way, I've met some amazing new people at the interview. Fiz (chemical engineering tutor), Haidar (a Physics Masters student), Wawa (a small, cat-loving person with a degree in food service), Kak Ayu (married, and worked with CIMB) and another 2 dudes but I forgot their names (funny coz we talked like we've known each other for years, and I still couldn't get their names).

After the tests, we went to the canteen and waited for the results of the psychometric tests. Alhamdulillah, all of us passed the tests. Then, I had to wait for a few more hours for my interview, which ended at 5pm.

I hope I'll get the job. I tried my best. But I wouldn't say the interview was perfect. I did some major bloopers. Argh. Why can't any of my interviews be perfect???

I was so tired when I was driving home, that I missed a U-turn and I got lost at Kg. Melayu Subang. But a short while later, I managed to find my way back to KL.

I have another interview tomorrow. I'm.So.Tired.

Which one is me?

I was browsing through The Body Shop website and there's a quiz to help you pick which is the right aromatheraphy product range for you.

LOW ENERGY?
-Overworked
-Physically tired
-Unable to focus
Suitable product range: Total Energy

CAN'T UNWIND?
-Stressed out
-Thoughts racing
-Unable to relax
Suitable product range: Divine Calm

SLEEPY HEAD?
-Tired
-Too many late nights
-Restless in bed
Suitable product range: Deep Sleep

NEED TO PURIFY?
-Health concious
-Dull looking skin
-Regular exercise
Suitable product range: Gently Purify

But the thing is, I have ALL of the problems listed in every category. Does that mean should I get ALL of the products? Nice marketing strategy, Body Shop! Very effective use of words.

The end?

This photo was taken right after I submitted my thesis. That's my own copy I'm holding. And that's my ex-classmate Aie laughing at me in the background.

14th April 2010...the day I submitted my thesis.

My bf said that I should be relieved coz it marks the end of my degree education. But somehow I don't feel relieved.

I have an interview next Monday at my dream company...and I really really really hope I'll nail the job. I had an interview yesterday, it lasted for 3 hours. So tiring. They gave me a case study to analyze, then present it to the interviewers. I need to identify why the company in the case study went bankrupt, and then make some suggestions on how it can avoid bankrupcy. After I presented the case study, the interviewers asked me usual interview questions, and most of the time, they attacked me on why I have a degree in civil engineering but I want to go into revenue management. It was hard trying to convince them that I'm able to do the job, but I've done my very best :-)

Some reminders to myself, THINGS I SHOULDN'T DO AT THE NEXT INTERVIEW:

1) Put your bag on the floor, not on the chair you're sitting on!!!

2) Don't be overly casual and talk to the interviewers as if they're your friends. Be formal!

3)Don't panic!!!

4)Don't say you enjoy your course, coz the follow up question might be "If you're enjoying civil engineering so much, then why are you applying for a sales/marketing/finance job?"

My bf said I worked nonstop. Integrated design project then thesis then now the interviews. He said I should take a break. But I know I can't take breaks. I NEED to work hard to get what I want.

My bf also suggested that we visit some of the places of interests in KL, which seems like a pretty good idea to me. I've lived in KL all my live, but I've never visited the Planetarium, museums etc. What have I been doing all these while??? Maybe one of these days I'll become a tourist at my own country and visits those places.

What an amazing life I have...

It's almost the end of my final semester. After I submit my thesis next week, I'll be free as a bird. At the moment, all my classmates are eager to take photos of their every last moment in Uniten. "Last class". "After Integrated presentation." "After FYP presentation."

I have absolutely no photos and no memories of my last class / last final exam/ Integrated presentation/ FYP presentation. I planned to take pictures after my presentations, but something tragic happened to me.

Last week I got a few pimples on my face and I bought Clearasil for the first time in hundred years. At first, it worked like magic. My zits dissappeared. I had perfect skin for about two days, and then my face started breaking out into millions of zits! The white, pustule-like acne! I'm allergic to Clearasil!

It was horrible. Not only I was unable to take photos of my last moments in Uniten, it was also a COMPLETE TORTURE when looking at the mirror and washing my face. I looked like a TOAD! All these white spots all over my face. The spots are very closely spaced together. Geram tak? I geram gile. I feel like squeezing it everytime I look in the mirror. But of course, I can't. Huhu torture torture.

Yesterday, I went to see my dermatologist. She agreed with me when I said that the acne pustules flared up because of allergy, not because I'm stressed or have imbalanced hormone. I AM stressed about thesis, but I still can handle it. Besides, the pustules only flared up on the spots where I had applied f-ing Clearasil.

The dermatologist prescribed me some antibiotics, anti-inflammatory pills and antibiotic cream. Now the pustules had started to disappear and my skin is red. I no longer look like a toad, but I look like the girls in the "before" pictures in acne cream advertorials.

I hope I'll recover very soon. This Saturday is one of my relatives' birthday and my friend Wani is getting married. I think my skin has no hope of recovering before Saturday, so I'll have to give those events a miss.

:'-(

Nerves are natural?

WHY I'M NERVOUS ABOUT MY FINAL YEAR PROJECT PRESENTATION TOMORROW EVEN THOUGH I'VE DONE A MILLION PRESENTATIONS BEFORE...

1. I have 53 slides. Allocated time for presentation for each person is 5 minutes. I rehearsed my presentation, talking fast like a crazy person, and my best time is 18 minutes!!!

2. I'm still traumatized after the Integrated presentation just now.

3. There's something wrong with my car's tyre alignment and tomorrow I have to drive in that crazy traffic. Argh!