One Happy Explorer
Aug 27th
I love broadband, not only because it enables me to write this blog in the train, but also for its speed and portability. Broadband is really useful. I’ve been traveling around lately and I bring my thumbdrive-sized modem wherever I go. Now it has become my must-bring-along gadget if I travel. The purpose of today’s post, however, is not about broadband but the experience I’ve obtained from doing my education venture.
When I graduated, I am no different from most graduates. I sent resume and attended interviews, looking for a job. I want to get income; not so much of wanting to expand my engineering knowledge because I know I will have to start all over again when I work. I have learnt theories, but in real life, it’s not as simple as that. Anyway..somehow, I couldn’t get the company I wanted. I don’t even get the chance to attend interview in some. But then again, I wasn’t that desperate or anything because I have my parents and savings. I was cruising by, checking other things around. All along, my good intended mum asked me to apply for this and try for that. I obliged to some. Once, I attended an interview whose manager made me realised something. He asked me to really ask myself what I really wanted to do. My true interest, not just finding a job, working temporarily just because I wanted to earn some pocket money. And I told him actually I want to go into oil and gas. He said he could offer me a position but I won’t be happy or satisfied. I knew he was right. I could lie and get that job and learn new things but the truth is, it will just be a passionless work. If another nicer company offers me a job the next day, I would leave. That is something I don’t like to do – wasting theirs and my time and resources. It’s not a win-win deal. So I left.
That manager has a point. He said I’d be better off working in Starbucks while waiting for something more worthwhile to come along. Some things are just worth waiting for. I agree. And again I went looking for a part time job or something like that. Then I stumbled into Kenshido International. I knew it was something to do with education but nothing more. I was curious, so I went to check it out at the preview in Syuen Hotel. It was the last time they were doing it there, that time. Now we have our own support centre in Ipoh. We have 4 actually in Ipoh itself. Anyway, after the preview, I like the ScoreA program. The fact that they combine business plan with education made me like it even more. The next day, I talked to a representative, questioned him this and that, making sure I knew the details and everything and finally I signed up. Nobody forced me. Actually I’ve already made up my mind to join before I even see him. That was my first step to all the good things that came along the way.
Working with Kenshido International made a very positive impact in my life. At first, I joined because it has a solid education program, and I can earn money from it. Now, I got more than what I’ve invested in. Apart from earning, I was learning things which I know I will not learn had I work with some company that I didn’t even have interest in.
The people who do ScoreA are all positive people. I like the energy they exude and I like to think like them. Here we encourage people to set their personal goals and we really want them to achieve it. Had I work in some company, managers won’t be asking me to set my own goals because it has nothing to do with them or the company. They would ask me to strive for the company’s goals instead. To me, working with passion is very important. That’s where you wake up everyday, feeling very eager to start your activities because you know all that you do will lead to your personal goals. Now I don’t wake up feeling lost, or fear that I won’t get a job, or pressured by bosses’ orders. I work according to my own time and I set my own datelines. I know if I put in efforts into my own business like I would have, working for other people, I’m sure to get what I want. That sort of motivation and confidence is priceless.
Now, I see things in the bigger picture. Few years ago I read “Rich Dad Poor Dad”. It was a good book. Everyone says so. I said so too and I would recommend it to other people. But one thing I didn’t do was REALLY STUDY IT. I was merely reading, not digesting, not processing it until it was stuck in my head. In that book, Robert mentioned about the rat race that most people are currently doing. I agreed back then, but when I graduated, I was running the rat race too. I knew I was heading that way and yet I do it. I don’t know why – maybe it’s just very hard for people to change, especially the mindset. It is hard to make people change their thinking because they’ve been in the system for so long. People are willing to trade their time for a job that demands everything from them. No doubt you get paid, but you have to work crazily – long hours; pressure from bosses; the moment you are promoted, you sell a little more of your freedom; come back home – tired; income not enough then go look for another job with similar system or do over time. You know you are not happy with the job. You know you won’t get rich by working for others. You think if you had a job, you are very secure but actually no – not in the way that it is suppose to be.
I had a lot of dreams when I was younger. I want this, I want that. But no money how to get them? 99% of problems derived from the lack of money, correct? If you had lots of money, you won’t be having problems like you are having, correct? So normally, we look for jobs, get some income of 5k per month (average) and after paying all the expenses, all that is left we put in the bank. In the next 30 years, hopefully there’s money to buy what you want, finally. But then, along the way, a lot of things happen. The moment you start your own family, more problems will come and the dreams you wished for 10 years ago reduce to less ambitious ones. Last time maybe you want to have a mansion but now, maybe a nice terrace house will do, next time I buy bigger one (when? another 10 years?). Maybe I want to travel to all the nice cities in the world but now, (if I had time off work) I might just travel (with tight budget) to nearby cities, enough la… Proton cars will do la, BMW for rich people only. BWM drinks petrol like mad. Aaa… then we start to blame/envy rich people.
Middle class people suffers the most. Poor people are used to hardship. They are hardy people, they don’t care much if they don’t have enough money. Petrol price increase, they can walk or use the motorbike. BUT middle class people always want to be first class people. For most of these people, the path towards that is very painful. They struggle a lot, and lost a lot too, such as time with loved ones. By the time he’s rich, it’s time to die.
Sometimes in your life you come across an opportunity. You feel very motivated. Suddenly there’s hope, a better way to live your life and find money. Every part of you tells that this is right. So if it feels right, I’d say just go for it. It could turn out to be a life changing experience. Try something new. If you do one thing over and over again and not successful and expecting different results the next time you do it, then you are insane. If it requires some investment (usually in terms of money) so what? Believe in yourself and do it. I could have bought a very expensive laptop or a handphone or spend it all in entertainment, but I didn’t. Why not use it for something that can potentially generate more income? The safe way will not get you very far. Excuses bring you nowhere. If you had tons of problems, put the opportunity in front of your problems. Use opportunities to solve your problems rather than put problems in front and opportunities behind. Believe me, opportunity won’t be waiting and problems are endless. No matter how you solve a problem, new ones will pop out and you will never get to grab the opportunity.
For me, I am one impatient fellow. I don’t want to wait till I’m 40 or 50 years old to be rich. I want it fast and a lot, so that I can start my other ventures. Kenshido can offer me that, and so far, I’m enjoying it tremendously. I learn a lot from the functions, training and coaching. I love it because I work with passion and I’m very passionate about money. I’m not saying I will work with Kenshido forever, but for as long as I can squeeze out a lot of juice from this business, I will. Besides, it allows me to meet a lot of people and those encounters open more doors for me. Maybe there’s an O&G job that I’m interested about will come from there. Who knows? I don’t care If I’m not using my engineering knowledge (it’s only theories in my head now anyway), but here I can improve my soft skills – something super important in life. I don’t get to learn them much while studying, but I get here. This is life education for me. So my initial investment is really nothing as compared to what I’ve obtained in just one month in the business. And I believe more will come. MUUUAAXS!
Thanks for those who’ve showed me the way and have confidence in me.
Click Here
Graduated
Aug 18th
Graduated finally, after 5 years of roller coaster ride. I have a lot of people to thank but most of all I want to thank my parents. As for everyone, thanks for everything. To all graduates, all the best in your future endeavours and I wish you success in all that you do! May our paths cross again. CHEEEERRRSS!!*ting*
The Biggest Gamble
Aug 5th
Not getting hired, is a blessing in disguise indeed. Had I settle on a job, I wouldn’t have found out about Kenshido International. I work with Kenshido International to expand its line of business and I love every bit of it because it is a job that mixes work with fun and money. I’m so proud of Mee Kee for making the right decision. This shy, innocent looking girl saw the opportunity and grabbed it. Now she’s the latest addition of a team, built of strong support and mentoring. I and my leaders promise that if she puts in effort , by the time she graduates, she will never feel like she has to send resume, asking for a job. Friends, the next time there’s a preview, please attend and give youself a chance too.
Day10 (HN-KL)
Jun 27th
Jesse, Chunaki and I slept for only half an hour. We woke up at 5am, washed, gathered our bags and ready to leave, for good. Ha had initially planned that Da would fetch us to the airport, and we were all for it. We would meet him at the junction of the road but Ha’s mother was awake too, saying she would call a cab for us. Ha cautioned that her mother was suspicious. So the cab came and we were shoved in. We insisted on seeing Da anyway, so Ha asked the driver to pull over after some distant away and waited for him. Since we had too many things, we stayed put in the cab and Ha alone shifted to Da’s car and followed all the way to the airport. We check-in our luggage and went for breakfast since we had another hour before boarding. It was beef noodle (again??) and I couldn’t finish mine, so I gave half to Jesse. Ha and Da were always so affectionate, oblivious to the surrounding and us, but of course we were happy for them. They sent us off and finally left when we were out of view. I sincerely wish them all the best and may they get to overcome the obstacle they are facing. Gambateh!!

I don’t update my blog often and when I do, I write long posts such as the recent ones. I bet, out of ten who visited, none would be able to finish them but it was my pleasure to tell the stories of our trip. What I related was only the gist of our journey and it does not do justice to all the big and small events that made this vacation a memorable one. Next time I wouldn’t be able to write such long posts anymore due to other commitment, but while I still can, I’ll continue to do so for my own documentation. I would like to dedicate these 10 posts to Kelvin, Jesse and Shean Chuan aka Chunaki for making the trip a success and a brilliant one. For those who have helped, both directly and indirectly – THANK YOU!

RIP M.J
Day9 (HLbay-HN)
Jun 27th
The breakfast was egg, toast bread with butter and jam, and coffee/tea. Woke up late this morning and we missed to sun rise but never minded. It was nice curling up in the air-conditioned room where outside was hot and humid but glad it was like that rather than raining as it could hamper the trip due to poor visibility.
That morning was just cruising around for more sightseeing. We bade goodbye to the Vietnamese family and the doctor as they left for a stay on the beach which was part of the 3-day package. The rest of us stayed on our boat waiting for other people to come on board before headed back to harbour. That was the end of our trip. Therefore, for those who has not much time, 1-day trip is recommended because the following day doesn’t really have much activity other than sight seeing.

Before going back to Saigon, we stopped for lunch at a restaurant near the harbour and that place was hot. To matter worse, the generator wasn’t working while we were having lunch, so there was no electricity. I’ve never sweated so much while eating before. We had a typical Chinese-ish lunch but the conversation at the table was interesting. For example, we get to know that Tom and Kim sold their bike and car, and quited their jobs to travel – for a whopping one year continuously! If they were still talking at the end of their travel, they would get married. Then there was the French guy about his life and travel. It was nice to get to know them and we took a picture for remembrance.
We were then cramped, with all our luggage, into a van for the journey back to Saigon. I had more conversation with Kim about things in general. She was nice to talk to. Most people including myself slept on the way back. Upon arrival, we got down near Dong Xuan market area. Jesse bought a belt. We wanted to shop more but the shops were already closing at 5pm. So we wandered aimlessly around, occasionally stopping for a cold drink and snack. At one corner we had a bread stick (RM0.80 one) that looked simple but quite delicious. Then at the other corner, we stumbled into the best kebab I ever tasted. We sat down and ate 1-kg of lychee (RM2 – 3 per kg) before wandering the crowded market area with bags on our back. We continued to walk about, mindless of destination because we couldn’t go back to Ha’s place yet as she was still at her aunt’s place. She asked to wait for cue to go home and we obeyed. Anyhow, through this way, we actually get to experience the city and the hawker food, including the dessert (see picture). When we reached a park in the city, the sky was already darkening. Albeit tired and dirty, we had each other for company – chatting, joking and playing ‘chi ku pak’. After what felt like 10 years homeless in a foreign land, finally we were allowed to go back, yea!!

We were introduced to Ha’s cousin, who was back from the States doing her internship. We clicked almost instantly and the way she talked showed maturity and intelligence. She said fast food made her fat and she’s getting fatter, when it clearly wasn’t. Sigh, what’s wrong with Vietnamese girls? But then again, girls are always like that, right?? Kelvin was most manly to push the bike for her all the way to the junction, where we hailed for taxi. There we parted ways as we were going for night market, and she had to finish her report. Sad that we didn’t take a picture for remembrance. Wuwuwu~
Da came to join us as the night market. How nice it was to see him again, and we’re glad that our ‘pasar malam’ outing gave them a chance to see each other. They were quick into their own sweet world so we asked them not to worry about us and we walked separately. The night market was so long that it seemed endless. We bought more things, then it was closing time before we managed to see the end. We met up with the sweet couple and went for supper at a stall – beef noodle (again). It was nice nevertheless but again we were sweating while eating. Seating place by the stall was low because we sat on stool. Da insisted to foot the bill for us, again. After that, we left for home and they had a teary goodbye. Nah just joking, they just embraced and said goodbyes.
What surprised us when we got back was a bunch of goodies for us. Earlier, her mum and Lynh went and bought us each two packets of tea and cashew nuts, and 3-kg of lychee. And they wouldn’t accept us paying for them, saying it was a gift to bring home. So generous of them. We felt bad but grateful. We kept pushing money to Ha, but she just wouldn’t take it except for the flight expense. That night, we all chatted in the room way into the wee hours. That’s when we got to know her more, and liked her even more.



