Ahau Dee's Awards : )

I keep telling myself to update this blog at least once a week but by the time I get around to doing it, it has been long overdue. Therefore, now I am forcing myself to write something and to update what’s been happening in my life recently.

There are two reasons why this blog has been so quiet. Firstly, there’s been nothing exciting to talk about and secondly I have been very busy with my work. Since a few weeks ago and from now onwards, I will be preparing and conducting lots of training courses.

During the current economic climate, when companies often have to say ‘NO’ to external training, the internal facilitator / trainer like me will be very busy. Suddenly, I have to be a master of all trades and to fulfil each request from the managers to provide training for their staff. I can’t really complain, I guess it’s better than being unemployed… : )

Other than time management and customer service, a few other (some of them new) topics will be on my list such as Sales Training, Leadership Training, Presentation Skills, Recruitment and Selection and a few more. How’s exciting… :-)

Anyway, to bring colour to this posting, these are the photos that I took at Milford Beach / Park, North Shore last month.

Oh ya! My blog has received two awards recently … ha ha ha. Even though I have been blogging for a year now, I am still ‘new' when it comes to things such as ‘award’ or ‘tag’, etc. Anyway, I am so pleased to have received the award and would like to thank Jean and Ieda for choosing my blog.

So, what I have to do next is to give these awards to other bloggers. Huh! That would be a tough job as I wish to give it to all my blogger friends (you can see their names on the side bar of my blog). It is very difficult to choose 3 or 7 from the list because I like to visit all the blogs.

Yes! Let me break the rules and give it to all of them…. Ha ha ha. As they say, rules are meant to be broken … ha ha ha.

Anyway, I will have more updates later concerning the training courses that I will present. Hopefully, I haven’t bored you. :-)

Have a good day everyone.

Ahau-Dee

The Last Minute King !!!

Since the last posting, I have been very busy working on a 'four week assignment' in less than a week. Why?

Simply because of my ever-lasting problem, an old habit that is really hard to break - doing things at the last minute. Perhaps my ex-boss, Jean Ooi could verify that statement and then I would be 'proud' to declare myself the 'Last Minute King' ... LOL.

Obviously, I have never learnt my lesson and as usual, this time I was lucky again. Thank God. Despite the adrenaline pumping through my body, a sleepless night, a worrying mind, a near nervous breakdown and panic etc., I managed to overcome the obstacles and make it happen.

Huh! What a relief, the first hurdle was over and everything went well even though I was not really happy with the quality. Another typical 'me' who is never satisfied with my performance.

I just completed two training sessions, Customer Service Excellence and Time Management. Oops! Please don't laugh !!! Generally, everyone was happy with the programme and looking forward for the second session next week.

Here are my photos with the participants :-


Customer Service Excellence : Peter, James, Dominic, Warwrick and Graham


Time Management : Grant McKain, Travis, Heather, Warwrick and Jason.

Anyway, because of the last minute rush, I have to sacrifice the upcoming long weekend. There are two public holidays in NZ this week - Good Friday & Easter Monday. I was supposed to have a short trip somewhere Downunder but it looks like I will have to forget about it.

So many things to catch up on, otherwise next week will be a nightmare for me again. Huh! So sad but my work should come first and so sorry guys, no more 'Jalan-Jalan Ahau Dee' for the time being : (

Have a great weekend everyone & Hapy Easter : )

Note : Below is the email that I've just received from the General Manager. Alhamdulillah !!!

Zahidi Hi

A simple note of sincere thanks and congratulations re your time Management Seminar.

I have had very positive feedback regarding this already and again our sincere thanks

Kindest Regards

John Mackinlay
North Shore Motor Group

Ahau - Dee

First Anniversary ...

28 March 2009 marked my first anniversary in New Zealand and today (1 April 2009) is my first anniversary working at SDMG (NZ) Ltd. It has been a wonderful year, one which has had a great impact on my career and personal life. What else can I say except thanks to the Almighty God for this great opportunity and for all the blessings in my life. Alhamdulillah!

It may not be a great deal for some people but for a ‘Kampung Boy’ like me, who used to earn RM8 for an eight-hour job, it has truly been a once in a lifetime opportunity. For a person who is always struggling with his English, working with people for whom English is their first language has certainly forced myself to step out of my comfort zone. Even writing this posting is a struggle for me.

I still remember what it was like when I was offered this secondment. I felt uncertain, excited, sad and happy and a host of other feelings especially when I started to realise that I would be missing my home, my family, my friends and my country. Many people don’t realise it, but deep down, I am a shy, introverted person and I have self-esteem/confidence issues too - believe it or not? He he he. And this secondment would force me to face my deepest fears.

Somehow, I always seem to have a way of overcoming my weaknesses. Perhaps it is just my luck. But I really think it is because I am blessed to have great friends around me no matter where I am. They are always ready to help when I need them the most. Thanks very much guys and girls (or as the Kiwi and Aussies would say, “Thanks, mate!”).

By the way, the world’s first global election between Mother Earth and Global Warming was held last Saturday. People voted for Mother Earth by not producing any green house gases for one hour (except for the natural ones … he he he) – no electricity, etc. How interesting was that!

Of course, I voted for Mother Earth. I was with my buddy Henry, helping him pack his belongings in the dark … LOL. Henry is selling his house with the beautiful sea view and is keeping his stuff in storage until he decides what to do next.

Soon ‘Kembara Ahau Dee’ is going to celebrate its first anniversary too (24 April 2009)! For those who keep visiting my blog, thank you very much. May our ‘cyber-friendship’ last forever (or at least for as long as this blog exists … he he he)

Happy Anniversary to Ahau Dee!

Ahau Dee with Chrissy(centre) and her friend. The photo was taken almost a year ago. Can you see the extra 20 kg being cover up by his jacket?

Ahau Dee with Managers from NSMG after he facilitated the E-Learning Group Session recently and of course, he is more confident about showing his minus 20kg figure … ha ha ha! Don’t be too self-satisfied Ahau Dee… still more to lose.

PS: To mark the upcoming 1st anniversary of this blog, Ahau Dee will write more in English, as he would like his Kiwi friends to read this blog as well. To Mas, Enida and Wiz please do not hesitate to correct my English if you spot any typos or grammatical errors. Of course I can’t write as well as you can. After all, I am just a simple ‘Kampung Boy’ at heart… ha ha ha.

Cheers.

Ahau-Dee