Wisdom In Solving Problems

Last couple of days, the place where I am working in had a lot of system problems thanks to my new AM called Steven Gan who loves to modify a lot of settings without thinking of the consequences that lies behind all these modification. After doing a lot of modification, most of the systems got screwed up. I will list down what got screwed up by my AM's superb work

1. The company website cannot be access by external people, which allows people to check their usage.
   
2. Email service for both inbound to outbound and outbound to inbound was down (3 day)
   
3. Email service which was incoming had error and they manage to fix it (couple of days down)
   
4. After fixing the outbound email to inbound, the inbound to outbound had problems (1 days down)
5. Users cannot connect to the AS400 session due to modification of DNS for whole nation.
   
6. Internet Access was down on Saturday for the whole Nation.

Well I didn't have to fix the website as that problem was not cause by me or my team. Actually none of the above was done by my team but my AM. Anyway the website was up once again after the vendor had to do some modification of the system. As for the email it took turns to crash. It was 1st the out to in where the email users cannot get any external email. It was due to some modification to the routing by my AM and the vendor. Anyway for that, they went to modify the DNS settings (number 5) which then cause the whole nation branches to get disconnected from the as400. For that issue the whole team (me, kieng weng, chin wei, adrian) had to go and troubleshoot for HQ and do phone support for the branches. It was really tiring as we have to walk up and down to do the troubleshooting.

I still remember that day was a Wednesday and I was really burn out and I had to go home early as I had CG that night and the best part was my AM complain that I went home early without helping him fix the problem. The question is, who mess the system? It ain't not me man. Anyway the outbound to inbound was fix by him but that was when he mess up with the inbound to out bound email. Since the vendor was there to fix the problem with him, I didn't bother to do anything else as I still had to troubleshoot for the as400 for the branches. On Thursday morning when I came in, I knew there was bound to be problems. I saw that all my testing email failed and I won't be the only 1 that will face the problem but the whole office + branch. I still remember when my HOD ask me and Franco to fix the problem but most of the time since the network team was talking to the vendor and I did ask them to let the vendor talk to me they didn't want to pass it over I decided to let them do all. The vendor promise to come in around 1130, but at 11am + I was too lazy to wait and I told the network team to let me do the modification. That was when derrick came out and assisted me and in 20minutes with full testing the email inbound to outbound was solve and I was so freaking happy. It was like a major thing that I achieve in the company. Even when the vendor came in after lunch, the vendor was shocked and he don't even know what changes I did and I had to brief the vendor. Even my HOD was not convince that I was the one who fix the email problem and not the vendor. Most people question if my work can be stable and I told them yes.

Anyway on Saturday my AM once again mess with the Internet for the whole nation and I had to fix it for him. The SOO told me what my AM ask them to do but all his steps fail. So when I asked them what they did, instant the wisdom came to teach me how to fix the problem. And in less than 1 minute the internet was up once again. So in 2days, I manage to cover my AM superb work that he did to mess up the systems. He is so brilliant that he dare to do all the testing in bright day light and not when there is no light. I guess what Mr Ng say is true, ask him to read back all the policy and procedures once again.

But deep down, the person who I want to thank who gave me the wisdom to solve the problem is God. Without him, or actually should I say, on Wednesday when I was having lunch, his wisdom poured down on me and I knew what to do, but since the vendor is there I decided to not do anything. To the rest of you who help me out, these are your names in a remembrance for that day.

1. Derrick (email assistance)
2. Adrian (those words of gratitude)
3. Kieng Weng
4. Calvin
5. Chin Wei (smart person who told me to check with departments)
6. Those who say kind words to me
   

Last Week Food Blast

Yeah the topic says it all. Last Thursday my aunty came down to KL from Singapore and she told my mum that all of us need to buy her dinner (me, my sister and my cousin). So on Thursday we were off to Sai Kong in kepong and I decided to pay that dinner. We had like 5 dishes and the food was extremely good. Had paikuat, fish, 2 vegetables and deer meat. It was great dinner and the price was good too. All 5 dishes cost me less than rm100.

On Friday when I got home from work, boy I had a good dinner too. I had half a fish to myself, sweet sour pork, 2 types of vege and soup that taste SO SO SO GREAT. The soup was herbal soup that has chicken inside and the chinese herbs and boy I have to say I haven't tasted such soup before in my life. Dinner was extremely good.

On Saturday I was eating in PJ old town and this time we had 8 LARGE DISHES. This time the place is called country chicken (if i am not wrong). We started off with sharkin soup, 2 types of vegetable, deer meat, tofu, chicken, pork and the last dish I cannot remember. But this dinner cost a bomb :P But its ok since my cousin is earning quite alot.

On Sunday I was in Gentings till Tuesday Morning. I was there more to rest than anything else. But it was not really a rest as we had so much things to do or can I say rescue mission as 1 of my aunty got sesat in Gentings and we had to take turns to find her from midnight till morning. Most of the time I was either sleeping or walking around. But when I was there, an event that can be avoided happen and I was totally pissed. But I want to thank those who encourage me and you know who you all are.

Tuesday dinner was great too. My sister had to pay this time. We ate in Sai Kong once again and we had 6 dishes. Food was nearly the same as the 1st time I belanja my aunty except this time we had "kolohyok", tofu and we didn't have fish. We replace with other dishes.

So at the end of the couple of days we really ate good food and the best is the fellowship that all of us cousins, aunty and uncle had together as one big happy family.

Treatment Plan For Guitar's

Both my guitar's at home are dusty and starting to loose its shine. Boy I need a day where I need to unstring my g's and clean all the strings and frets. Worst I think I need to change one of my guitar strings are the tone is no longer there. But the thing is I don't play that guitar that often anymore and it is only used when it is brought to play during mission trip.

Talking about mission trip, my 1st guitar picture is in the DUMC Coffee Book. That was the time when my dad brought my guitar there to be used as a musical instrument. I believe that book the longer it stays, forever my guitar will be a legend ( in my opinion). If you all wonder which is my guitar, go check the coffee book, check out the section on mission trip and the Orang Asli mission trip (something like that)

Both my guitars mean something to me, as I bought both of them with my own money back in 2002 and 2006. So I guess the next guitar will come might be in 2010? Both guitars have their own sound, own saddle height and body size. I can share so much of what my guitars did in the life with me and they will be part of my life till I leave planet earth.

1998 Commonwealth Baton Run

When I was in form 4 in 1998, I was invited to do the Commonwealth Baton Run and even though it was a short run (Around 2Km from don't remember where starting point but to One Utama infront of Macdees). It was quite a fun run as I ran with the rest of the School Team runners but when we were running, we were joking and playing a lot of jokes as the run is really slow and there are lots of police to escort the run and the people who were running were not that fit too :P

I am not trying to be bad, but well that the truth. When we reach 1U, we stop infront of Macdee's and we were all given drinks to cool down ourself. I still remember that there was the A&W mascot there and my friends were all whacking the mascot up the wall. I still remember one of my friends were pulling his tail off and another friend was jumping and hugging him from behind. The poor bear was being abuse by us. That didn't stop and my friends continued to pull his tail and continue to beat him from the back. After a while my friends stop beating the bear and decided to let the bear go.

Money can’t buy everything

This is what my friend told me one day over email

"Money can’t buy everything"

I have to agree on what my friend have say. Looking nicely, it is true that money really cannot buy everything that we hope it can.This is what Money cannot buy in my opinion.

1. Health
2. Friendship
3. Religion
4. Good Times
5. Friends
6. Memories
7. Testimonies
8. Blessings
9. Love
10. Trust
11. Parents / Love One's
12. Faith
13. Ticket To Heaven
14. Happiness / Joy
15. Patient
16. Boldness
17. Peace
18. Long Suffering
19. Kindness
20. Goodness
21. Gentleness
22. Faithfulness
    
23. A Special Touch From Above / Friends
24. Comfort (When The Person Is Down)
    
25. Inner Talent / Hidden Talent
26. Life
27. Air
28. Forgiveness
29. Care
30. Things Done From The Heart
    

There might be a lot more of things that money cannot buy and what I have listed is the truth and I believe most of you agree. If there is more to the list, do comment and put more down. Would love to hear from all of you.

Superman Returns

Was watching superman return yesterday and it actually reminded me a lot of my work as most of the time I call myself the superman of systems. There was one part that superman went to the sky and he was listening to the voices of the people on earth and he had to hear them out and decides on who he should help. I guess superman's work is even harder. It goes the same for me too when there are at times when people really need me to help them when my time is just so limited. I have to say at times when I help too much I start to get lazy and only assist when ever I want too or when I feel comfortable too. Darn being superman is really hard and its worst when every one needs your help or even advice on some of the things. But one thing about superman is people trust him, but unlike my company, even my AM don't trust me even though he is not so good in technical compared to me. So based on this story, there are two things I have to say, it is not easy to be superman and when there is a superman, trust his words when he say so.

Our Life

I don' have to say more, this is true when we start working.

From A Power Point Slide

Throw away any hatred for anyone from your heart so that you will not carry sins for a lifetime.

Forgiving others is the best attitude to take! Love others even if u don't like them.

True love is not loving a perfect person but loving an imperfect person perfectly.

Selamat Hari Raya

I would like to wish everyone

"Selamat Hari Raya"

I know it is a day late, but better late then never. Do Drive home safely and please be patient on the road with one another.

Rice Water

Would like to share this with all of you, you know when you wash your rice and it has this milky water? Well this milky water is actually very good for plants. Water it on your plants for a month and you will really see that your plant will grow extremely healthy. Try it yeah

Where Is The Respect For People

These days, people really don't have the respect for each other. That is the real truth and it is really sad that people just would simply say things without thinking twice about what they have to say to the other party. They even can talk about things which is not their business and they don't even know that they might even have hurt others feelings.

There are things which can be avoided to be said to the opposite sex and at times these people will just blur it out without thinking. I mean if other who are more intellectual would have sit there will think that these people are just plain stupid and their age don't portray their mind.

So to those who read this page, please do respect people no matter who they are. I believe we ourself would truly appreciate if people respect us, don't we?

Smallville

Boy I love watching this show. The other thing that this show always have is pretty gals. I wish I can get pretty gals to be my friends like the show makes it so easy :P It is really great to be able to catch the latest episode today. There was one phrase that really caught my attention which is this

"Loving someone is hard / difficult, hate is so clean"

I feel this is really true. At times it is really hard to love someone especially those who we really don't like at all. But we can't be like this as if we only love those who we like, we have already bluff ourself that we cannot love others. I think I should modify this phrase to this

"Loving Someone is easy, hate is difficult"

Kidding myself? Not if we can make the difference.

No I Am Not Crazy

If you see a Young Adult walking from the Masjid Jamek LRT station to Menara Olymipia with his mouth moving around, no he is not crazy and no he is not a lunatic. This boy is just trying to practice songs for christmas and also doing vocals to keep himself company as he walks to the office all by himself.

The reason why I have to post this is because as I was walking to office the other day while doing some vocals, there was a gal walking the other direction who was listening to her music on her handphone thinks I am nuts. Well all I can say, that gal don't know what she is truly missing out :P

Jokes aside, someone has been telling one of my office friends that I have good vocals. But I guess there is nothing to hide anymore as even some of my university friends share the same idea too. I will be trying my very best to do it during Christmas and if everything permits, I would like to be on the real stage for sure :)

Being Serious To Be The Best

Even as I write this post now, there is something that is hitting in me that I should be the best in whatever that I truly love to do. For time being is playing the guitar. Even right now I am challenging myself to even know the fretboards or can I say play guitar with my eyes close without the need to check out even the fretboards. I know it is quite normal for the more experience guitarist to do it, but I am starting to reach there. The reason I want to reach that level as I know I can and I know that the longer I spend time with my wife, I will be able to connect with her so easily. A friend of mine actually forward to me a title for me to read which says "Practice Sharpens Talents" which is extremely true. I believe now not only do I want to play the guitar well, but I want to be able to use my vocals for even better use.

Walk Tall When You're Clean

You know, at times people want to blame us for things that we didn't do and there is something I can say, when you know that you know you are blameless, you can walk tall. Even though people might even persecute you at that time.

There are many things that we can do when we are blameless. An Example if is the company persecute his staff, the staff who is actually 100% clean can actually just resign from the company even though he knows that he has never short change the company.

My HOD is one of the person who can never walk clean as she is always so scared of who is talking behind her back as she is always shooting people all the time and when she screws up something she don't want to take the blame.

I will give you all an event that happen last Saturday. There was one pc that was infected by virus as the program in the pc was written by my HOD friend. This friend of hers is actually one of the worst programmers on planet earth as his programming is so crappy. He can't even write a simple program to flush the memory of the physical ram when the cache is stored in the physical. Due to that program that was written, the switches IP and MAC address was copied to be the pc's IP and MAC address and every traffic that needs to go out will no longer go to the switch but to the pc. When the traffic is too high for the pc to handle, the routers will just suddenly hang and it will cause all connections to be lost. And due to this event, she still protects her friend who is the programmer as she blames the company for the virus infection. The best part is when we even try to call the vendor the vendor does not want to pickup the phone and the only way to reach the vendor is by my HOD calling him or by dropping him and email. Not only that, when we bought the program, we should have the rights to have the installation cd, but guess what? We are not even given any CD for program installation. But if we are given, I believe that the program will just be full of virus. We know that the HOD have a little bit of share as she ask her friend to write the s/ware. Even a 10% will do her pocket good. If you all wonder how much is the program, it is the price of Honda Civic 1.8 or Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0 CASH. Well after this event, my HOD don't dare to walk tall anymore as she is quite scared. Boy she should be, because if the Higher Management found out it was her friend who wrote the s/ware she will be sacked instantly. Not only that if she is sacked, she will no longer find job as she has been blacklisted by a lot of companies due to her nasty attitude.

On that day itself, I had to work double hard to make sure all the pc's are clean from virus (HQ & Branches). But due to the kiamsiapness of the company, it is extremely difficult to udpate the virus pattern as the line is only 128kbps for branches who have nearly 70 over pc's. To just update, it will take like a week to update the antivirus pattern. But now I no longer care, I just update when I want so there will be a clean enviroment and they can no longer simply blame that the Security team is not doing their work.