I missed my blog.. forgive me.. I'll be back..!

MAsyaAllah... i has been soooo long.. I left my blog unattended... that what will happened when you procrastinate.. I always remember about my blog but it was just so difficult to log in and even to view.. Shame to me as I should be able to manage my time better..
Today could be a good start.. I went back to the office at 4pm today..anyway today is Saturday and start looking back to things that I missed a lot and struggled with time to really look into it.. and not only my blog.. it's even myself! For a long time I never treat myself well.. so today I went for hair cut, hair treatment, pedicure, manicure and some massage.. it was just heaven!

I think I have to be back here.. Perhaps with better look, better input, better sharings..see ya!

MOSAIC 2011 @ Doha, Qatar Day 3,4,5.....and forever

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim... I have not ben updating this blog since day 3 of the summit..but at least I managed to update some photos in my facebook.. you know what.. so much to share.. if I were to tell every stories that we went through daily..it would be too much.. and you might get bored.. but I decided to highlight some significants issues, news and stories that I think is important and I would love to share to everyone..

hmm.. how do I start? perhaps by outlining a few topics first.. please let me know if you have some ideas so that I can write it out..

As today.. I just want to say that I feel so honoured, thankful and grateful to be selected to be in MOSAIC. It was an eye opener, for me to understand that there are a lot more inteligent, talented and special people out there..regardless of age, colours, religions, understandings, politics etc. They are just great people. MOSAIC made me understand that the world is much more bigger that what I expected. It's much more wonderful and too much to explore. MOSAIC made me think that I have not done enough to the world, to my community, to the people around me or even to myself. I have so much to think and to work on now.

When I was in MOSAIC, I felt so small. Really. I don't talk much but I observed a lot. I was so impressed with the young people there who have a lot of knowledge, experience and understandings about the world's issues. On what is happening in their countries, their patriotism, their spirit, their hopes, their determination, their integrity, their credibilities to stand up and talk about their stands. That was great and something not that normal for me.

My group, Renaissance- was a great group. The best group I have ever had in my life. Everyone are positive people, we talked positively, we debated ideas, we listen to each other, we talked intelligently, it was just great. And at the same time we enjoyed ourselves so much..(especially on the ladies party..ehhehe...) Really. It was great! Partenring with another group- Eye of the Tiger was another opportunity to know and understands more people. To learn and experience more things. They are just great people.. creative and artistic.. I think that was why our group won the Best Presentattion. Thanks to you guys..

Ohh.. I have so much to share.. this is the beginning.. let me think more and put it in properly..

By the time, please enjoy the videos of our group - created by Korvi- a talented young young man.

Winning Group presentation - Eye of the Tiger + Renaissance

Getting ready myself to start working tomorrow.. enjoy and see ya!

First 2 days in Doha, Qatar- MOSAIC 2011

Day 1

Yesterday afternoon, when we still have some free time before the programs starts, me, and a few other friends from Malaysia of course, Indonesia, Oman and Pakistan decided to go for a walk and perhaps to go to Souq Waqif, a market that sells many things.. the reception told us it would take 15 mins walking distance. And with a map, we all walk and walk and walk until 1 hour but yet to find the Souq! Surprisingly, we are quite confused when we are not sure if the shops there are closed or..not yet open because looks like not many people on the streets and the shops are mostly not opened! We stopped by to ask a few people we met and nobody knows where is the Souq as they are also not locals..hmm..?? It was just like an Amazing Race in Doha episode..Zul (one of my team from Malaysia) was running around with his map to find directions and Haneem was trying to read the map but unfotunately she read it upside down!.. And you knw what, from there, we can clearly that our hotel is just opposite..

And..at last we found the Souq..it is a nice place.. a few things are sold there.. households, pashminas, abayas, nuts and chocolates, pets, souvenirs, carpets, magic lamp etc.. but the price.. very expensive I would say.. 1 piece of a fridge magnet costs 10QR each which about RM10. We can get 3 for RM10 normally.. uhhh...! Once done, we are walking back to the hotel, we saw many people on the streets, lots of vehicles and most of the shops are widely opened! OMG.. I think we were the only crazy tourist who walk on the street under the bright, hot sun when people in Qatar don't do that.. their night is more happenings because ot's too hot during the day..


Stopped by to take some photos even when we are lost




Look.. our hotel is just there and we took ore than 1 hour to reach here!



Souq at night

Took photo in the middle of the street






Day 2

Today is the real program day. In the  morni ng we started with some introductions and speeches by Dr Saif Al-Hajari, Vice Chairperson of Qatar Foundation followed by some thoughts from UK ambassodor to Qatar, His Excellency, Ambassador John Hawkins and Personal Leadership Journey 1 sharing by  Stephen Howard, CEO of Business in Community. All gave us some insights of what to expect, and to have some understanding of what MOSAIC all about and it's objectives. We managed to watched a video speeceh by HRH The Prince of Wales talking about this program and I was surprised with his aspiration towards MOSAIC delegates and also when he said 'Assalamualaikum' as well as 'Ilal liqa' before he ends his speech.. wow...

We had a group introduction session at our leader's room and so nice of her to give each memeber a special tea from Kenya..thanks! And continued to an very powerful session by Robert Swan, one of the worls's preeminent polar explorers and environmental leaders.By age 33, he became the first person to WALK to both the North and South Poles. His sharings was wonderful, full of inspiration and we can feel what he gone thru. All from his heart.

He talked about DREAMS that brought him to where he is and who he is today. A few things that striked me most about LEADERSHIP are:

• Everything starts from a DREAM. Don't forgrt your dream, DON'T WAIT..if not, your dream can be strangled by life.
• Don't choose easy team. Choose people will challenge you to think
• humour is important, so laugh!
• leadership is not always from the front, but how you support your team. Lead only when needed to.
• Stop and celebrate success moments
• if you make a mistake, admit it! it makes you stronger
• to inspire people, you have to engage them
• Think Global, Act Local
• And many more..

This is one of the best tak I've ever heard and it inspires me, inspires many people.. LIVE YOUR DREAM!

When he was in South Pole..

With Robert Swan

That's a simple him, travelling with his knapsack

Robert with tea from Prudential Team

Kuantan - KLIA - Abu Dhabi - Doha 13-14 Nov 2011

The journey started.. My first flight from Kuantan to KLIA at 10.15am.. why so early? because that's the most suitable flight. If not, I'll be too late or too early.. reached KLIA about 11am. No worries.. many things happened, and a few things I managed to settle.. until Firah reached about 5pm and we checked in together.

First MOSAIC member we met while queing to check in was Hezreen, from Kuala Lumpur, a freelancer. Nice meeting her, a cute mixed lady. We had a drinks while waiting for others but seems like didn't managed to as it's a bit late. My feelings feels much better now after I met a few friends who will be in the same boat with me..

Boarded at 8.20pm with EY 0411 Etihad Airways, hmm.. nice Boeing 777. Me and Firah seated at 24C and 24D, hoping so hard no one will seat next to her.. yess! It took about 6.5 hours to reach Abu Dhabi at 11.30pm local hours.just hang around for about 2 hours and we took off with EY 299 to Doha, just 45 mins away. And..at last we are in Doha..sent directly to immigration and there you go... what a long queue at 2.30am in the morning! And most are queing at 'Other Nationalities' lane..hmm.. now I understand..I'm not alone...:)

After about 1 hour later, everyone done and we were brought to a bus which brought us to the Coral Hotel, Doha located at Safilia Street, about 4.30am. Subuh here is about 4.35am. My room number is 1110 and guess what.. my expectation was wrong.. each one of us get one room of our own! yeaahhhh!!! What a nice room ... we were welcomed with a glass of mocktail and a rose! Tq...check that out below..After solat, I just couldn't sleep, can't wait to update some stories while I still have the time. It'll be quite free for us today to have a rest and the full program will start tomorrow... see ya!

It's the airport ceiling at Abu Dhabi airport

My room

nice bed..each delegate stay in their own single room

nice huhh..

Welcome note from MOSAIC

Schedule for Day 1

travel docs..visa and boarding passes

view from my room, Coral Hotel, level 11- Room 1110

Who is this man to me..? continued..

If you ask me about my leadership idol, I would say him as my nearest example... secondly, will be my Tun Mahathir..

Let's talk a little bit about him..

First I saw him from far during an event in MITC Melaka, somewhere in 2009. He spoke that day as the main highlight to deliver our company goal and at the same time introducing him as a new leader for our company.. First impression.. hmm.. I know some people were quite sceptical about him.. perhaps including myself.. because he is different.. he's quite soft spoken, very gentle. He's didn't show any aggressiveness or too high energy..(people like to compare anyway..we call it 'raahh..raah..') as we were used to a very high energy speech because we need a lot of excitement , motivation and aggressiveness in our daily job- so called sales. He's not that kind of person..

Time passes by, and I started to realized how different he is.. he amazed me and others, the whole company with his vision, values, cultures, sincerity and the most that opened my eyes is his humbleness.. Really. Our first impression slowly faded..and what we have now is someone who has shown us about think big, believe in ourselves and to have a big heart. Someone who shown us possible direction.. nothing is IMPOSSIBLE.. 1.02 Billion new business in 2010, the first company to achieve 1B business in the industry. Can u imagine that before? But he made us believe that 1,000,000,000 is a reality..  He made us as a company achieved something that we ourselves never believe we can do it. He made us believed the impossibles. Anyway, he is still as soft and gentle as he is before, but his energy, his love,his spirit and his sincerity can be felt in everyone of us. It's always with us.

I never seen a situation for a person like him in his position would say 'thank you' to everyone he can meet after a mega event, including the hotel banquets and the cleaners! I seldom see a person like him will squeeze his time at his level best to attend as small invitation as a Hari Raya 'open house' or 'open office', normal staff wedding..or even a simple lunch or dinner at your very own home.. If I'm also a person like him, then perhaps not a big deal, but our gap is actually too far.! Some people just quoted ' it's not easy to have someone like him whom you can rub your shoulder with'...hmm.. I think it's very true..

I want to know more, I want to study more about his leadership style..as for me, he is my nearest idol of a leader. I don't know a lot about him but I think he is DIFFERENT.

Thank you for being with us... Thanks to Mr Charlie E Oropeza, CEO of Prudential Assurance Malaysia Berhad..

Attended Sheila Majid's concert at Petronas Philharmonic

Charlie distributing 'Duit Raya' duringAidilfitri celebration Kota Bharu

Agencies in Kuantan celebrated his birthday

Charlie enjoying 'Nasi Dagang' and 'tapai' during Hari Raya open house in Kota Bharu

Who is this man for me?

I just put his photo first.. but who is he for me? I'll share with you soon....

MOSAIC is now 3 days to go.. not 33 days!!!!!

I have not been here for quite sometimes... too packed, too tight.. and just I went in and saw 3 comments..hmm.. and your comments made me happy.. and made me feel better to continue sharing.. in fact, I have lots to share.. everytime I went thru something, I feel like writing here..but it's just too hard for me to twist my mind and focus on others..

Hmm.. let's talk about the preparation.. in fact, I just got my ticket..coz after a while which I thought I have received the ticket but actually the linked can't be opened.. Thanks to Vicki who helped me to send the ticket in PDF file.. Overall.. I can say I'm only about 50-60% prepared. I haven't find my luggage bag, I haven't decide what clothes to bring bla..bla..bla.. and most importantly..my MIND.. am I mentally prepared?? I do hope that tomorrow- Friday will be the last day for me to think about work. That's why I'm still in the office now at 11pm..clearing things.. I'm gonna leave my team in this crucial time..our year end closing..it's so important for us to achieve our target.. hmmm.. but when read about my team leader's report (Thanks Frahiya!) for last years' MOSAIC..I fell a bit reliefed... I sent an email to my group leader about my worries and she replied me immediately! I appreciate that much..and you made me stronger to write this tonite..

What are my worries before attending MOSAIC? As I read my team members profile.. OMG.. they are from very different background compared to me.. they have such an interesting background..NGO, activist, engineers...and me? Seriously.. I'm so worried and nervous... have you guys done your surveys? That survey asked a lot about community, the time we spent with the community activities.. OMG..mine is none in a week! How am I going to share???? Thanks again to my team leader as she shared to me that we should go there to learn from everyone.. and there were even a housewife participated in MOSAIC last year.. hmm.. then I understand and start to feel better...

I decided to go with an open mind, be myself and contribute as much as I can.. I want to learn..I want to see how other people look at this world..from which perspective.. how small am I..it's a challenge.. I do hope that I can contribute to my team positively and work together,,help each other..

It's just too much to share..some I have already forgotten.. anyway.. we're gonna meet soon! See ya!