Luckily, Dad came back with me but unluckily for him to be part of the labour. Cause’ he had to do this

Dad and I painstakingly scraped off the newspaper. Rubbing off with thinner doesn’t seemed to work. Water does make the removal easier though. After that, we applied two layers of wood protection just like previously. When it’s dry, assembly is commenced!

We used two types of ‘L’ Bracket – plastic and steel. We wanted to use all steel but out of stock so we bought plastic ones and they are cheaper anyway. We used plastic ones for the simple tables.

Applied carpentry glue between two pieces so that they hold more strongly..

After many many screwing (no pun intended), we’re done! 2 simple tables, 1 weirder looking table and 1 shelf.

and

Piles of newspapers to throw and clean up.

The total cost of the project is RM 156.50, and approximately 65 man-hours. Worth it? Yea to some extend it was satisfying but the process wasn’t exactly that enjoyable. We had bruised palm and backache due to much bending. urgh! But it was certainly a rich learning experience. Below are some of the things I would improve on / reduce the next time around (if any):

• Reduce wood protection coating. Perhaps only use them for the sides. That would dive the cost down by 40%, using only one tin and lower the man-hours by 50%. Using less chemical is also more environmental friendly.
• Would love to try paint instead. Black or white would be my top choice.
• Install then only paint the side to avoid newspaper sticking on the wood. This would reduce the man-hours by another 20%.
• An electric driller would certainly speed up things and reduce physical pain.
• Minimize throwing of newspaper and recycle them instead. Almost all are torn while separating them from wood.

Without a good assistant like Dad, this project will not be completed so wonderfully. Thanks!

]]> http://alexlee.youthchapter.com/2010/02/27/diy-woodwork-part-ii/feed/ 3 http://alexlee.youthchapter.com/2010/02/11/diy-woodwork-part-i/ http://alexlee.youthchapter.com/2010/02/11/diy-woodwork-part-i/#comments Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:10:46 +0000 teik http://alexlee.youthchapter.com/?p=239 More >]]> In support of green architecture, I have decided to make my own furniture by re-using pieces of wood that I managed to salvage. Apparently some people left it lying by the stairs and seeing that no one came to claim them, I loaded as many pieces as I can into my poor little car in the middle of the night when no one was watching and transported back to my apartment. The pieces, weigh more than 5kg a piece, are still in very good condition. There are still more  pieces of variety sizes and shapes by the stairs but that’s all I could carry though I have the desire to go back for more. Perhaps some other day. Each of the wood measure 1 inch thick but of different length and width. So this is what I did to them thus far:

1. Wiped them clean and stacked according to size
2. Took measurement with IKEA measuring tape
3. The GOAL: use up all the pieces and make as many furniture as possible. The designing work is actually the hardest process. It had me thinking for quite a while. Below are my engineering-ish drawing sketches:-
4. The preview of the end result. There will be three tables and one shelf. Each shape is tagged with alphabet corresponding to size. This is for easy identification and to avoid using the wrong piece during assembly.
5. Recently my wooden computer table was covered with mold – same type of wood, only thinner. So I’ve decided to apply wood protection to avoid having the same problem. Went to Ace Hardware to look around and here’s what I came back with:- 
6. Painting. This is when the actual labour begins. Each surface was coated twice. I had twenty two pieces and the recommended drying time before re-applying is 12 hours. But I waited only about 7 hours because I was impatient. I worked from morning till midnight.
7. The second coating made the wood even darker. The surfaces are now not so smooth as I thought they would be.

One litre of wood protection wasn’t enough so I went and bought another two more tins. If I had another chance to do another woodwork I would want to try coloured paint. Now I left the reverse side to coat but I face a problem. The newspapers are now glued to the wood. Anyway I’ll figure out how to solve it after the Chinese New Year break. I can’t wait to get them done. It’s my woodwork since ‘kemahiran hidup’ back in the secondary school days. As for now HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!!!!!

Well, one brave soul did – Chew Hoong Ling. To cut it short, she donated 60% of her liver to save a 13 year old girl, and today she’s the campaigner of organ donation. Basically her job is to inspire people /  convince people to pledge their organs, and she’s been successful. I’ll tell you why later because I have something to say now.

I have finally tasted Starbucks coffee! Lolx. I’m a guy who doesn’t think paying  more than RM13 for a coffee is worth it, so the only way I’m holding this cup was because it’s free.

There are many things I’ve learned from this session which I would like to share, so here it goes. How Hoong Ling came to donate part of her organ was pretty simple. She received a forwarded email (like most of us did), saying a 13 year old girl was in dire need of a liver transplant. The difference was this – she didn’t forward that forwarded email instead she responded by calling the hospital. Then one thing led to another. She went for a test to determine the suitability. In the course of her test, she found out she actually had only one kidney – all these while, she was born with only one kidney. Sometimes you discover stuff in an unusual circumstances, doesn’t it? Without saying she passed the test.

Now she faced many objections from different people till she doubted her decision until someone told her that it was her fate and karma to do this operation, and that once she’s decided, she is not to look back.

Before they proceeded with the operations, she had to undergo strict interview/process from the ethics committee. There are three parties involved – the doctor, donor and receiver.  This is to make sure that the doctor is not doing it for the money (alone); the donor fully aware of the consequences and under no circumstances being forced nor involved in selling of the organ, and the receiver is indeed in a life-threatening stage where organ transplant is the only solution.

Here are some interesting facts. Doctor told her that her chance of death was 1 to 1.5%. That’s why she had the confidence to go on with the operation. The liver is the only organ that can grow back. Now Hoong Ling’s liver has fully grown back, even bigger than before. She donate about 500gm of her liver. Have you wonder why major operations take so many hours to complete? Dressed very casually, Hoong Ling said that the doctors had to cut very carefully and tie up every artery they come across. That means cut a bit, tie, cut a bit, tie, cut a bit, tie. That’s why lo.

The sad part is that the 13 year old girl did not survive the ordeal but not because of the liver cancer case. Months after the operation, she had bone cancer (not spread from the liver cancer). Because of that, she had to undergo chemotherapy and as a result her immune system was very weak. She contracted lung disease and died.

Sad indeed but it wasn’t a wasted donation. In fact Hoong Ling’s act extended the girl’s life for 8 months. It may not seem all that long, but try imagine yourself in her situation, you would cherish every second of it.

At this point I shall recommend you to watch ‘7 Pounds’. Another solid performance by Will Smith with a great story. I say great story because I had no inkling what Will Smith was trying to do and it wasn’t predictable. Maybe I have low IQ but go ahead and watch it anyway, if you haven’t already.

Hoong Ling now goes everywhere with forms – lest anyone might want to pledge their organs. She’s been doing a great job even for someone who’s signed up. Back then I didn’t want to donate my skin and eyes upon death. I pictured myself dead, with only bones and no eyes! eeeewww. Looking at a dead person is spooky enough, but to actually look at one without his skin and eyeballs is like a halloween nightmare. However after explanation I have decided to donate it all! woohoo. As for skin, they’ll only graft the back part or perhaps your thigh. As for the eye, they don’t actually take the whole eyeball but the cornea. So yea, not so scary now.

Before

Now

This is me with the courageous Hoong Ling who’s also known as the mercedes girl no thanks to the operation scar. Is a whole 14 inch mercedes scar (yes we saw it – she showed to the crowd). This info – 14 inch – had won me a present from the quiz section! It’s a bag. Great, just what I needed as I’m actually running out of bags to carry. For some reason all my previous bags have torn on the part where you carry or sling over your shoulder, if you get what I mean.

I look forward to more great stories, free coffees, and gifts! In the mean time, go pledge your organ. It’s really a waste not to cause you are dead anyway. You won’t feel a thing, right? lolx.

]]> http://alexlee.youthchapter.com/2010/02/07/live-inspire-chew-hoong-ling/feed/ 2 http://alexlee.youthchapter.com/2010/01/31/live-inspire-billi-lim/ http://alexlee.youthchapter.com/2010/01/31/live-inspire-billi-lim/#comments Sun, 31 Jan 2010 07:44:31 +0000 teik http://alexlee.youthchapter.com/?p=89 More >]]> I’ve managed to bring myself to attend last Thursday Live & Inspire series in Bangsar. This time features Billi Lim, also know as the failure guru.

Entitled ‘Dare to Fail’, Billi’s session was filled with insights, tips and lessons. Apart from learning some pointers about failure & success, watching Billi was a form of entertainment itself. His style and delivery was not only energetic but crude in a funny way.

Here are notes:

1. You feel so bitter and even think of committing suicide when you keep failing over and over again. However DO NOT give up or think that you have failed. Learn to transcend.
2. It is good to fail. It is part of success and life journey. The experience gained will help you in the future.
3. Failure & Success are one for without failure there is no success. Success & Failure is a journey.
4. Know what is your failure and success.Know what is your failure and success.
5. Money, cars and big houses are only symbols of success. Real success transcends all these.
6. Failure is not the opposite of success. Failure is when one do nothing in life.
7. Indication of success is when you are able to sleep well at night, become happier and having more friends each passing day, and have an open heart.
8. Let children make mistakes and fail. This will be the greatest education you would give them.
9. According to Billi, Bill Gates prefers to hire those who have failed before because he would rather his employees fail in other company than his own.
10. There is failure everywhere and everything that you do be it in relationship, business, studies and etc. Accept failure and treat every single journey as a positive experience and be grateful for the opportunities.
11. Be prepared to face failure. Be emotionally strong. Success is just around the corner when you are at your worst moment.
12. When things get bored, tough, or down, see it at a different angle. Again be thankful for what you have.
13. One fails on average 3.8 times attempting a single course. This means one can fail up to 4 times and will achieve success on the 5th time.
14. The best way to know whether you will succeed or fail in doing one thing is to DO IT. Only then you can know.
15. FOUR steps towards success: (1) DARE TO DREAM (2) DARE TO TRY (3) DARE TO FAIL (4) DARE TO ACHIEVE

Recently a friend once wrote: Money is not everything, but everything is money. This is true, almost anyway.  It’s so hard to find parking in KL, unless you are willing to pay and it’s not cheap either. Parking fine would cost you RM100 here whereas Ipoh only RM30. I find the cost of living in KL is 3x more. No wonder people here are always looking for more money and often in a rush. Jam some more.. Hmmm…

But there are more sights and sounds, to see, to explore, to learn. It’s a big place. It’s going to be interesting this year.

Till then, cheerio~~

It seems only yesterday when we were young and gay

Playing house games and fighting everyday

Since then you have grown into a pretty lady

Everynow so often driving guys go nuts and crazy

You look so beautiful on your wedding day

Like a princess from far far away

Today we rejoice your grandest day

Tomorrow you will be flying away

Starting a new life with a prince so lovely

Whom has won your heart to be your faithful lover

I am blessed to witness this auspicious matrimony

Hereby wishing you and hubby happiness forever and ever

p.s: this is a long overdue post, so I’m going to cheat a little by postdating it backwards to make it more relevant..hehehe

last but not least

p/s: Go watch AVATAR. Not only it is visually stunning, watching it actually makes you wanna be a ’sakai’ and live in the jungle (a luminous one of course). The casts are good too. However, the plot is straight forward and predictable. Despite its oh-so-familiar theme of good vs evil, Avatar is just too beautiful to pass.

Dear ol’ slipper, it’s your time to rest….

My faithful slipper has thought a thing or two about virtues worthy of cultivation.

• DURABLE = TOUGH. At first look, you might think this slipper must have only been used in the bathroom or toilet. But actually, besides wearing it to the toilet, it has been to many other places – from the hot tar road of UTP to cold misty soil of Cameron highlands; from the streets of Cambodia to salty waters of Ha Long Bay, Vietnam; from Jakarta to many countless of walks in Malaysia itself. If you want to survive in any type of business, you’ve gotta be tough like my slipper. And not only  tough on the exterior but also on the inside. Slipper has been subjected to demeaning comments such as it being ugly to be worn in a shopping complex. But to my slipper, as long as it’s doing its job in rain or shine, it’s a good slipper because after all beauty is nothing without the brain. Your essence counts most.
• PORTABLE = FLEXIBLE. Slipper is light weight. You can pack it easily in a small bag. Being light, it is not a burden to carry around. And that means, you can change from your shoe to slipper anytime you wish so. Slipper is always ‘on the go’. The key is to be ready at all times for changes, for travel, for change in plan. Be easy to manage and supervise instead of being a burden. Your service is top notch if it’s affordable, flexible and prompt.
• MULTIPURPOSE = VERSATILITY. Slipper is also a good weapon especially for whacking cockroach. You might not want to use an expensive footwear to do that, isn’t? Unattractive is a form of attraction too. Nobody might want to steal it, and you have no qualms about using it for jobs that might get your footwear dirty, for example. So be adaptable in different kinds of situation. People love someone or something that is multipurpose and able to multitask.
• FEATURES = ADDED VALUE. Slipper has emblazoned beads that massage your foot as you walk. Needless to say, anything comes with something extra for the same price….why not? Added values could be anything – empathy, free gift, follow-up, other technical services, newsletter, add-on packages, and etc.
• RETIRE IN GOOD SHAPE = KNOWING WHEN TO STOP. This picture is taken after slipper retires from everyday use and I’m sure you can tell it’s still usable, which is good. This means slipper can come in handy when it’s needed. No matter what, experiences are valued – good advice and words of wisdom and guidance will help successor in their course. Retire when it’s time and pass on the job to a deserving person. Enjoy the rest of your numbered days while in good health!

ARE YOU A KILLER?

So, up to now my life journey has zigzagged to Klang. In the past few months, I have been like Bah Kut Teh – mixture of this and that but all the goodness in one pot. In this post, I want to thank a few people. I want to thank Thinhes for helping me around KL so much for so many times. He even let me stay in his place and helped me to find an accommodation in Klang. Sometimes he bought me meals. Thank to Uncle Goh for donating two pricey items for my use in my empty apartment. He even footed the transportation cost. TQ TQ so much. Thank mum also although she’s over-worried about me moving to another place.

Klang is actually a nice place to stay not only because of the bah kut teh. Almost everything you need can be found nearby. And they do not have bad traffic jams like in KL. And the cost of living is similar to Ipoh. And the majority of the Chinese people here speak hokkien. And the staff is very friendly and welcoming. They even have all sorts of DIY drinks in the pantry to which you can help yourself to whenever you want. They even share the snacks such bread, biscuits, tidbits,  cakes, mango, pau etc etc. Satisfied. My place is quite cooling, not only strategically shy from direct sunshine but windy as well. Nowadays at night you can even enjoy illegal fireworks display. huhu…

I’m at peace but busy learning and earning also, which is good. Haven’t brought my JitChak along, that’s why no pictures in my recent posts =(. So here it is – just a short update on my part. You if come to Klang, do drop by for a visit. You can crash here too if you want.

Till then, chaoizzzzz