A date to remember 15/12/2011

I'm writing this because I scared I can't remember when this happened.
Yesterday night, my darling proposed to me! No 3宝, but that was good enough. A half carat diamond ring (with GIA cert), half kneel and touching words. I shall upload the pic of my bling bling ring later :D

Soon to be bye 2011

2011 年很快的就要过了。我究竟在今年做了什么有意义的事呢？
-减肥增肥减肥增肥减肥增肥， 到头来，2012年还是得做这件事
-去了一趟夏威夷。真是个好地方，好想移民过去呢。。。
-那了升级版的潜水执照 - 虽然在夏威夷潜水，但是还是没看到鲨鱼
-我的Coach 包包家族又扩大了 ^^
-得到了一个平板型电脑 - 多谢我的Darling 咯！
-然后呢，最最开心的一件事，就是在10月中换了份工作。超开心的。当然，因为工钱好很多（根之前的公司比）然后工作时间，性质，环境，公司文化都是我梦寐以求的。让我深深相信Law of Attraction 这件事。

2012 要加倍努力！希望能买到第2间房子！要顺顺利利从我的MBA毕业！加油！加油！加油！

Payday!

工钱高和工钱底的分别真的很大。我终于感受到钱多一点真的可以做很多事！

Hawaii travel log Part IV

Oh my oh my, I haven't finish my travel log yet.. Darling is coming back in another 1 month's time and I haven't even finish my september travel log. -.-

Ok, I am lazy I admit.

So this log will be about Maui. Let's start our journey.
We arrived at Maui early morning and after we get our rental car, we planned to head off to our hotel. However, the scenery around Kahului is irresistable, so we detour a bit from our original route. Firstly, we stop by Costco thinking to get some mineral water, but the carton was too big and in the end, we only bought a big bottle of fruit juice.

Our rental car. Subaru Impreza - nice ride

 We follow the GPS to the nearest attraction, Ioa Needle state park. I like US because they have many state parks that is very well maintained.

Ioa Needle

Actually we wanted to hike up, just 100+ stairs but it was raining then...and when we were half way driving out, the rain stopped. Whatever...

Then, we continue our journey to Kapalua, where our hotel is situated. It was quite a long drive, more than an hour. Of course, we were still wide awake because of the super scenic views. There were also many scenic stops which allowed visitors, cars to stop by to enjoy the view. Another plus point :)

But interestingly, along Maalea towards Lahaina was a very dry area where the grasses turn yellow and wild fires will happen sometimes. Very extreme difference from Kahului.

Finally, after a long ride, we arrived at The Ritz Carlton, Kapalua. Very out of nowhere indeed. Our room was not ready until 4pm. What the heck. What's worse, we need to pay for our carpark + resort fee! What's included in the resort fee? The access to swimming pool, gym and whatsoever facilities. Oh my! I thought that came with the room. Breakfast is not included by the way. I did not feel any exclusiveness although we had a personal manager who contacted us earlier on our needs. Why? Because she was on leave. Damn it.

View from lobby deck

We spend around 2 hours there wandering around and head to the beach to have a walk. But the wait was too long. So we headed out to have lunch and walk around Lahaina. I remember it was 3pm and the damn room was still not ready. What kind of 6 star service did Ritz Carlton has? Once we were halfway out, the reception called and inform us that our room was ready. What the @#!!#!

Nevermind, we still need to eat. So, off we go to Lahaina.

Interesting view of sunken boat at the shore of Lahaina.

Interesting to know, Lahaina is not a beach. It was a shore line with no beach. Beaches were along the along but not at Lahaina. There were some surfing event going on though.

Our lunch at Famous Dave

We went to darling's favourite, Famous Dave to have our lunch. Nice ribs! I wanted to buy their merchandise T shirt but no price was shown! So better do not expose my wallet to any danger of being burning a hole.

Happening Lahaina

Lahaina is quite a touristy area with many small markets and shops. Many tourist as well. Totally different feeling from the exclusive Kapalua.

Darling @ Lahaina

We spent some time walking around Lahaina, try to scout a nice shade for my brother but ouch, that was too expensive - Maui Jim. I must own a pair of Maui Jim 1 day! FYI, Maui Jim is a very good shades with very high technology of anti glare. I have never seen it in Malaysia though...guess it only sells in US.

Heading back to the hotel, where finally we get to check in to our room. Seems nice isn't it? Big bed, big bathroom, with champagne in fact. Why? Because we told them we were having our honeymoon and voila- free champagne :D okla, darling is the platinum member of Marriot group of hotels, Ritz Carlton is one of the partner ma...

Our room, but we got it change later

We were quite happy about the room, but not happy about the view. Which darling was very angry about and demanded them to change a room for us. Look at the view...this is their so called ocean view room.

Damn trees blocked our sea view

So we felt so cheated and demanded them to change a room for us. After some calls, the bell boy was here to bring us to our new room.

Double bed - nevermind, I had a great sleep on my own :D

This is the view from our new room

What a big difference in the views! Apparently the new room they gave to us was actually the more expensive ones. only 8 full ocean view room in a block. Yea, who asked them to simply quote ocean view rooms but it's blocked with all the trees.

After we enjoyed our champagne which is not to my taste, rested a while and head to the swimming pool. Yea, already night time. The only good thing was the pool facilities were opened for 24hours.

Night view from the lobby deck

Sun rise from our room balcony

Our breakfast. Quite pathetic eh...okla, I enjoy the feel of breakfast being served by my darling

Greetings from the hotel for our ''honeymoon" haha. No, am not guilty at all for the sake of free gift

The next morning, we head to the beach of Ritz Carlton. Actually it was not private beach, it was accessible by outsiders too. You just can't own a beach there. We played for quite some time there. I ended up with bikini lines marks on my shoulders.

Trying to re produce some movie scene haha

Who the hell go to beach with shades? well, everyone there did the same thing like me

Yea, I know we look fat. We are and we were in Hawaii - who cares?

One of it was our room

So we have fun at the beach till 1pm and back to our room, checked out and head towards the next hotel, Marriot :)Yes, we had luxury stay hehe.

Till then

updates

I am not slacking, I am busy. Not too busy too, but I have like conference call every Tuesday and Wednesday at night; on and off conference call at other days and of course during office hours. But calls during office hours are actually with my boss in India.

So far, I am happy working in Monster :) Although I don't quite like the lunch, but hey, it's free so beggars can't be choosers. Well, I'm not beggar but since it's free might as well eat in. My lunch mates didn't go out for lunch what..

What a day today, I had 2 conference call in a row since 8pm. And tomorrow will be a hectic day! Having 5 conference call since afternoon till night. But yes, I am happy ^ ^ 

My working tools

This is my working tools that follow me to work and home now. Always attached to work now.

My laptop is a big one. Cannot differentiate? check out the keyboard. I think this gotta be a 17inch.

2nd day as a Monsterian

It's my 2nd day at new company today. The first day was good, whereby I am not doing nothing at work like I was in Maybank for the first 3 months. I have a list of training schedule and it goes all the way to November. My company gave me a gigantic laptop, weights like 5kg. Well, I know it's not, but for sure more than 3kg. My tech guy told me that is a very high end laptop and runs on 8GB RAM. Oh I know this, super fast speed. However, my outlook hangs sometimes...

Besides, I was given a blackberry as well. Nothing fancy, it's a curve 9300, but the main point is, unlimited data plan. Sounds perfect. I know, when they give me a black berry, it means I got to work at off office hours. Well, I am the only member in my team in Malaysia, so that's unavoidable isn't it.

My colleagues seems nice and friendly too.

I was a little bit freak out when I had a meeting just now with some boss in US. It's a tele conference and I can't really get 100% of what he said. Due to his accent T_T all his words sounds like stick together and it was a bit hard for me to comprehend. sighs.. I hope I will get use to it and be able to catch what they say. Tele conference is quite a hard thing for me... I can't see their face and sometimes can't catch what they say. I think maybe I have some problems with my ears... need to clear the wax maybe.

till then

Farewell Maybank

Finally, today is my last working day with Maybank. I first joined the bank back in 2nd Jan 2008. Time really flies. Within my tenure with Maybank, loads and heaps of things happened. I got to know darling, which is my most precious gift from Maybank; started my MBA course, learn to be wiser in calculating money, saving money, investments, got an unpaid leave to go to Europe, got 18k bonus for the first time, got staff benefits, got many many days of leave so I can lepak around and went to Hawaii.

At first when I join Maybank, I feel quite ashamed to tell people coz Maybank was infamous for its service, which I hate it myself too. Later on, I realized Maybank has very good banking facilities which I can really make a good use of them and everything is just within clicks; I started to promote for my company. I told my friends on Maybanks product, from loan, savings, gold, to credit card. Even my friends said I should go to be sales person. Actually I just have better understanding on the products, pros and cons.

Therefore, when RHB offered my assistant project manager post, I was still hesitating. Despite I was also waiting for offer from Monster, I was evaluating RHB and Maybank too. Of course, after that I chose Monster :) However, I had this thought, if I were to jump to other banks, I will choose CIMB or other foreign banks. Coz CIMB is the nearest local competitor to Maybank.

Although I left Maybank for a brighter future, I can proudly say I am a proud ex-Maybanker!

Hawaii travel log Part III

On darling's birthday, we flew to Hilo to strart our island hopping trip. It's not those island hopping at Redang to other small islands, this one needs to fly. Thanks to Frank who dropped us at the airport. 

Hilo is a town at Hawaii or Big Island. The biggest island among the 8 Hawaiian islands and it is still growing. Why? because the lava from the volcano flows to the ocean. The airport is an open air one and looks really simple. 

We are taking Hawaiian airlines!

Darling chose the window seat where we can have the island view. I wonder how he knows how the plane will fly...

Reached the Hilo airport. Open air...

We got our rental car and off we go to check in to our hotel - Hilo Hawaiian Hotel. Apparently that is the best hotel at Hilo area. Hilo is an area full with rain fall. It rained a few times in our first day. And the rain is not light shower like those in Honolulu. It was like those rain in Malaysia. Took some time to look for our hotel because the name we book should be Castle Hilo Hotel, which also known as Hilo Hawaiian. Stop by a park to look around and search for the hotel booking to get the exact address; and realize that the hotel was just next to the park we were at.

The park where tsunami hit many years ago

Nissan versa, the car we rented

And so, this is our hotel, with perfect sea view. But with no beach =.=

Although there were no beach there, but I really like the view. Especially next day in the morning, because it was sunny and the view was superb! So after we checked in, rested for a while, off we go to visit the coconut island, which was just next to the hotel too. The location was the best one. From the top, you can see the shape of the hotel looks like a coconut tree.

Coconut Island, view from our room

Hilo Hawaiian at the back

There was a tour counter in our hotel and they offer Mauna Kea trip at 175USD per pax. Very expensive but Mauna Kea is one of the main attraction in Big Island. So darling decided to go for it, thanks to him, to pay for me also :D We decided to join the trip on the second day, because I need to get myself a pair of thicker track bottom, or jeans. 

So, we did some self driving light trip to Rainbow falls, Boiling pots, Mauna Loa factory, shopping at Walmart & Ross. We were back to hotel rather early on the first night, 9pm maybe.

we at rainbow falls

boiling pots-when streams of water falls go into the central pond, it looks like boiling with bubbles

Mauna Loa Macadamia nut factory - we found that the nuts sold at Costco was cheaper LOL

Went to Jamba Juice to get quench our thirst!

The trolley at Target. I wanted to show sis about this trolley - will be good for baby ray

We spent quite some time to shop around, looking for suitable pants, bought water at Walmart, and continue to look for my suitable pants in Ross. Finally I got myself a Levi's jeans for 16USD, and back to hotel to call it a day.

The next morning, we got up rather early to visit Ken's pancake shop again for our breakfast. Darling introduced me Egg & Benedict on the first day and I fell in love with that! So I pestered darling to go there again so that I can eat that again. After breakkie, we head to National Volcano Park. It's quite cold when we were nearly there because we were going uphill and it was still morning. 

The national park ticket for a car can last 1 week and the park was open for 24hours. After we visited the tourist information centre to check on the spot of interest and the safe path to go, watch a video and started our journey at the park.

Steam vent at the back

Mauna Loa

Attempted to do some jumps but failed to take nice pics...

Attempted again to take some nice romantic shoots but failed too, darling complained my track bottom ruin the pic

So we took a close up one. The feeling still lacking if compared to the one we took at Prague. 

The active volcano crater next to Jaggar Musuem

Kilauea Iki crater trail at the back - the ranger at the visitor centre told us if you touch the ground you can feel the heat

However, we didn't take the Kilauea Iki trail because we need to get back to hotel before 3pm to join the Mauna Kea tour. So we continue to drive to our destination Sea Arch. Stop by a few nice scenic point on the way. I could not believe that I was actually physically present at these beautiful natural view. It was too amazing!

Straight road but the view was superb

Incredible view...I still can't believe I was at that place last month

Little red in action

Some greens among the black lava rocks

At the cliff

Voila! The sea arch

So after the sea arch, we drove straight back to our hotel, stopped by Jack in the box to grab our lunch. Got back to our hotel room to change my jeans and by the time we went to the lobby, the tour van is already there. A bit disappointed actually because I thought it should be a 4wd or jeep, instead of a van.

So Elridge, our tour guide, brought us to Rainbow falls (again) and stop by 7-11 for us to grab some water and food. Later, we head to Mauna Kea. He stop at some scenic point for us to take pictures as well as for our lungs to expand to prevent any altitude sickness. Mauna Kea is maybe around the height as Mt Kota Kinabalu from the sea level. However, it's base was far deep into the sea base. The stats says Mauna Kea is even higher than Mt Everest. 

Halfway up Mauna Kea

Silver sword, you can only find this kind of plants above some altitude

Attempted to do some jumps again but failed terribly

So I did the normal ones

We are above cloud level, this is just at the tourist information centre. Still have some distance away from the top

After hanging around at the visitor information centre, we continued our way to the top. The purpose stopping a few times was for our lungs to expand according to the altitude gradually, other than taking some scenic view photos. 

I love this pic a lot!

Big satellite dish halfway through

Observatory

The shadow of Mauna Kea

The observatory will open if the weather is good

We were there to catch the sunset

The top was at freezing point

We went back to National Volcano Park at 12midnight again to take a look at the active crater with glare and smoke. It was amazing, but I was a chicken heart. Pestering darling to get back asap. Well, there was only us in the area and it was so windy, dark and only us! Kinda scary isn't it?

Glare and smoke from the crater next to Jaggar Museum

And the next early morning, we took a flight to the next destination, Maui island; which I'm gonna blog it in another post :)