Thursday, July 28, 2011

My ‘affair’ with myHarapan at the Startup Camp 2011



I am indeed deeply grateful to my friend Vishpal who introduced me to this wonderful group called myHarapan. He suggested I join for Youth National Summit. I couldn’t register in time for YNS due to some circumstances but we had three members of Youth Mc representing our team there. Pitching your project to a bunch of experts, meeting the PM, cool stuff.

When I heard about myHarapan Startup Camp, I said to myself that I HAVE to make it no matter what. Of course work was a concern, I’m committed to my job and taking 2 days off seems like a bit too much to ask. Boss said he would approve my leave PROVIDED I complete all necessary work. Which is a lot of work. Was zombie-like by Friday (15th July).

Back to the Startup Camp, the location was stated as COPE Adventure, Lookout Point, Ampang. Been to Lookout Point a couple of times but the place is only popular for the food (Haven and Gasoline) and of course the view, some sort of romantic. But where on earth is COPE Adventure?

Googled up the place and *faints*. Staying in tents, they have jungle trekking, rope climbing, and all sorts of ‘lasak’ activities. Okay so the tents are air-conditioned, haha, no joke. Toilets look clean so I’m a bit happy but not any less nervous.



DAY 1


Saturday the 16th came, was at COPE at 7.45am. Our poor friends who were supposed to take the shuttle bus at KL Sentral apparently got stranded because the bus broke down. They were only expected to be at COPE around 10am. But breakfast was ready! Man, the food.. I can go on and on about it. We had (toast bread, fruits, cereal with milk, salad station, mee goreng, and what not) Five Star seriously. And the cook (Kak Izan) used to cook for the Sultan of Pahang! I mean how much luckier can we get??

Myself, Hema and Uthay posing while waiting for the rest
Our tents, super cool right?

They pamper us too much eh? ;)

The bus arrived at 10.30 and you could see the guys literally running to get their food, they were that hungry. HAHA. Okay so classroom session next. Mr.Hisham and Mr.Fauzi conducted the sessions. Big shots. One is the co-founder of Celcom and another is Marketing Director of Sime Darby. Impressive right?


Mr.Hisham and Mr.Fauzi gave us an insight into what made them who they are today. Mind you, even they had to slog to reach the top. So next we were told to fill up a form about “Where do I see myself in the next 10, 20 and 30 years” and then a few of the participants were asked to read their answers to the entire class. After hearing everyone speak, I felt like I was an ant and all these people are elephants. I mean seriously, they are so focused and have so clear goals and most of them are already halfway there. Oh ya, I forgot to mention, we were divided into groups of six. My group was named ELEGANT. Team Elegant – myself, Hema, Uthay, Xin, Bushan, Akmal and Naz. 



Dinner was at 7.30 and we were late (as usual :p), and when we arrived at the dinner hall, WOW! Imagine slow traditional Indian music, Indian lamps as table deco, and the food (banana leaf rice, with loads of meat/vegetarian dishes, papadam, mango lassi, fruits). It was like dining in Passage Thru’ India!

Kay a.k.a Cik Rempit and Lorraine
 
Right after dinner, we had team building activities such as arranging the alphabets (in which my team lost and we had to do sexy dance for the winning team). Then we were divided into groups of 4 (green, white, yellow and my team green) and had more activities led by the very2 charismatic Ajeet. Day1 ended in a good note, all of us bonded so well together and mind you, we were from different races and backgrounds!


 ...Day 2,3, and 4 up next!




Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Specially for Birthday Girl, Nalini Nathasha..


Love,
It’s your 22nd birthday today. Happy Birthday!! I feel sad not being there in Kulim. Last year we were together for 1 whole week, preparing for your 21st birthday party and having so much fun doing it :) Unforgettable times those were.. I’m glad that even after college, our bond is unbreakable.. We have our own lives now, stay in different states, study in different places.. Somehow I still feel you are the best friend I can ever ask for, and yes I know that is true :) We sms all the time, call each other almost everyday and you are the first person I think of when I feel happy or sad.

U rock my word dear, I bet you know that. It’s been four years, and we’ve been through so much together. You’ve been there for me during my worst times, offering me a shoulder to cry on, giving me strength and support. And you’ve also been there during my happy times, sharing my happiness with me.

You are special babe, to me and to everyone who knows you. You are a wonderful daughter, sister, girlfriend and the best friend anyone could ask for. You know me inside out, and somehow only you have the ability to cool me down when I’m so mad at something, and sometimes I don’t even have to express myself in words, because you already understand..

As I sit here thinking of what to say to you, I realize that you already know what you mean to me. There can never be another friend like you. Damn, I’m getting emotional! I miss you babe, I wish you were here so that I could give u a big hug!!

So my dear, once again Happy 22nd Birthday. You are old enough to marry and have kids now :p Edwin, please take note! All I want to say is, stay the same because you know you rock :)

Here is to another year filled with love from me ( :p) , lots of laughter and loads of happy moments.

I love you babe, you know I do..

 Thats me and the birthday girl!! Have fun on your birthday and DONT CRY okay, eat a lot today for me :) LOVE YOU!!