Jarod’s Den

25 things about me

Gosh! It has been many many moons since I last updated this blog! Life has been pretty busy. By the look of things, it’ll be keeping me busy for a while…

I’ve been tagged in Facebook to list 25 things about myself that is not common knowledge. I have no clue why I should be listing out stuff about myself that not many know but it seems like a trend these days. So here goes…

1. I’m a hopeless romantic. Really!
2. I’m someone who is very in touch with his emotion. (paraphrase: emotional guy)
3. Since December 2, 2008, I’ve become an only child.
4. I’ve to fight and struggle to get education for myself.
5. Among my family with the same surname, I have the highest education.
6. I love home decoration.
7. I wish to migrate to Canada. Still wishing…
8. I used to have 2 dogs, Rocky and Mark.
9. I was in a brass band before. Yes, I know music.
10. I used to be good in art and handicrafts. Very good.
11. Until today, none of my family members know exactly what I do for a living. And I gave up explaining.
12. I used to be a good cook. Spaghetti bolognaise and braised mushroom chicken was my specialty.
13. I played rugby when I was in form 4. Lasted only 1 session.
14. I wanted to be a medical officer when I was in form 3.
15. During college, at the eve of the final year project submission, I was busy playing Warcraft 3. My friend helped me finished my project 3 hours before submission.
16. My first and last action figure toy was He-man.
17. I suffer from acrophobia and tachophobia.
18. I’m a sucker for aesthetics.
19. I’m a logical and practical person. I rely more on brains than heart. That’s why sometimes I seem heartless.
20. I can’t stand whiny people.
21. To-date, I have only dated 2 women. Took me 2 years to get over the first and 1 year the second.
22. I have actually considered being a single parent.
23. There was once that I used PC so much that I’ve forgotten how to hold a pencil.
24. I cannot eat duck nor lamb. I’ll throw up if I do.
25. I once applied a job on a ship just so that I could get away from it all. Unsuccessful.

So there you go. 25 random stuff about me.

Things I’ve Learnt in 2008

2008 has come and gone. It’s already 2009 and frankly speaking, I’m not ready for it yet.

2008 has been an eventful year. There were lots of ups and downs (just like any other year) with the exception that this particular year has more punch. Here’s what I’ve learnt the past year:

1. Water is thicker than blood. Sad but true.
2. Shit happens. Face it.
3. What is not yours, is not yours. No use crying about it.
4. What is gone is gone. So cherish it while you still have it.
5. Not everybody will agree with you. Suck it up.
6. Don’t blame the environment. Blame yourself. You are who you made yourself to be.
7. Decisions are yours to make. Nobody can force you. Unless they point a gun at your head… Even then, you’re still the one making the decision.
8. Once you’ve made up your mind to do something, don’t regret it later.
9. Not everybody is born with brains. Those who do does not necessarily use them.
10. Some people chose to be lazy.
11. All government is corrupt. All.
12. Those in power will always abuse their power. It’s a matter of how much…
13. Ignoring a problem does not make it go away.
14. If it’s your responsibility, it’s your responsibility. No way you can push it on to others.
15. There is no such thing as luck.
16. The heart is not always right. Sometimes you need to listen to the brain.
17. Impulsive decisions are never good decisions.
18. Money has its uses but it’s not everything.
19. Love makes the world go round. Love also can kill you.
20. Not all good deeds are rewarded. Just be happy you’ve done one.

Sounds grim and depressing? Well sorta but hey, I don’t regret it. 2008 is gone. Let’s see what I’ll be learning in the Year of the Ox.

Tags: new year 2008 2009

It’s Just Not My Day

It’s just an ordinary Monday like any other. Woke up around 8ish. Showered and got ready for work. Got in my car and started my 45 minutes journey to office.

Barely a minute after getting on the highway, the car engine just died. Luckily I still got momentum and I maneuvered the car to the side of the road before coming to a standstill.

Tried to restart my car but to no avail. Got out of the car and opened the bonnet to take a look at the engine. I might as well figure out how to build a rocket while I’m at it. After staring at the engine for like 10 minutes I realised why I pay a mechanic to tinker with my car.

The highway tow truck came by about 30 minutes later. Offered to tow my car to the nearest workshop but I politely decline. Those opportunist charges an insane fee. No way I’m paying them their overprice fee. They left.

Another 30 minutes later, I decided to call my car insurance company. My insurance comes with tow truck service. Why did I decide to call them now? Brain wasn’t functioning at full capacity when the car died.

The insurance company verified my details and said they will inform the tow truck to call me to get my location. 10 minutes later, the tow trucker (is that what you call them?) called. I told him I’m on this stretch of highway going towards town. He asked for further details and that’s when the phone battery died.

Brain still not functioning at full capacity. Waited in the car hoping the tow truck will miraculously find me. Miraculously, he did. The kind soul was searching all along the highway for me. He figured my mobile went out of battery and decided to search for me. Yes, there are still good people out there.

Towed the car to the workshop where I had my car serviced for the past 5 years. Faithful customer I am. Cost of the tow service? Free! That’s when the chinaman in me leaped with joy.

The car took about half a day to fix. Something to do with the VDO cable. Called the office and said I’m not coming in today. Meanwhile, I had my mobile battery charged at the workshop. Hanged out at a nearby restaurant to have lunch while waiting for the car. Finally, at 3pm I drove home. The damage was MYR250 RM118.

Halfway home, office called. Problem. Told them to wait till I get home to go online. Reached my apartment and discovered that there’s no electricity to the entire apartment block. Apparently some kind of maintenance is going on. Didn’t bother to go up home because the elevator is not working. No electricity. Drove out to Starbucks at the nearest mall.

Office called again. Told them what happened and ask them to wait another 10 minutes. Parked the car at the rooftop parking and went down to Starbucks at the ground floor. Ordered my usual iced tall latte, sat down, set up my notebook and realised I’ve left my mobile in the car.

Asked the kind lady to look after my stuff while I go get my phone. Go up, come down and called the office. Straightened things out, finished my latte and headed for home. Electricity is back.

Showered and prepare to head out for dinner. Then realised my watch is missing. Yup I lost it. Probably at Starbucks when I took it off to work on my notebook.

Heaved a huge sigh and treated myself to a Chicken McDeluxe with large fries and coke and a banana pie.

Today is just not my day.

Tags: bad luck, car problem

Birthday 2008

Well, it’s that time of year again (so fast?!?!) I’m another year older and definitely wiser.

Unlike the previous year, this year was much more happening. Woke up to a wonderful morning. No traffic jams, excellent breakfast and nothing much to do at the office.

The night before my colleagues and I went to the karaoke to celebrate. We screamed out lungs out. Yup that’s right. Screamed. Occasionally we sang. It was fun, hilarious and relaxing.

Today, the company bought me a cake. Imagine my horror when I opened the box and saw this…

Who is Jacob?!?! I guess I have to live with the fact that my name will never be spelt correctly.

Tags: birthday, karaoke, older, wiser, wrong name

Moving On

Now that it’s all said and done,
I can’t believe you were the one
To build me up and tear me down,
Like an old abandoned house.
What you said when you left
Just left me cold and out of breath.
I fell too far, was in way too deep.
Guess I let you get the best of me.

Well, I never saw it coming.
And I should’ve started running
A long, long time ago.
And I never thought I’d doubt you,
I’m better off without you
More than you, more than you know.
I’m slowly getting closure.
I guess it’s really over.
I’m finally getting better.
And now I’m picking up the pieces.
From spending all of these years
Putting my heart back together.
‘Cause the day I thought I’d never get through,
I got over you.

Thanks Chris. Yup, I think I can move on now. For those of you wondering, I broke up couple years back (or was it longer?) and yes, I just got over it.

Your cue to say aww….

Tags: broke up, closure, moving on