I believe Destiny is responsible only for throwing challenges in our way to see what we are made of. She does not have the power nor the capability to set our life’s path. Otherwise, having a free will is meaningless.
Naoko, on why she does not approve of Karma, the Goddess of Fate
Notes from a teacher
About a year or so ago, Chicking opened in Malaysia during the Raya holidays (or thereabouts, I remember having a late lunch here with Kemu and Rin). When they first opened, they were so new, they didn’t even set up their drinks dispenser! As a new outlet, my friends and I were willing to forgive their tardiness in service, especially since they were relatively cheap. However, while they were cheap, their food was bad.
I remember Kemu saying that her nuggets tasted like leftover in the open air nuggets that were just heated up before they served it to her. The coleslaw too, was exceptionally bad and definitely not fresh. The fried chicken was limp and didn’t resemble fried chicken at all. Needless to say, we all gave the place a wide berth after that. I’ve been coming back to Tropicana now and then and each time I passed Chicking, I noticed the place was almost empty.
Even during dinner time. And if you’re empty during dinner in Malaysia (UNLESS you’re serving really niche food like chicken backside dipped in wine and served with cheese) then you know that the place has really bad food. Malaysians will even tolerate bad service for good food but never bad food for great service. We’re elitists when it comes to food.
So, what’s the point of this entry?
As you could have guessed by now, I’ve decided to give Chicking a second try. And I think thereafter I’ll pass on it forever.
The good stuff?
The food has improved. At least there’s a certain crunch when I bite into my fried chicken, and the meat does taste like fried chicken. The portions are so-so; for the price you pay it was enough to fill my stomach. All in all, it tasted like fairly decent fried chicken. The meal I took was a Royal Snack, as they called it. One piece chicken, two pieces chicken strip, a bowl of rice and a drink. I changed the rice for mash because I didn’t feel like chewing (much).
Here’s the thing though. After you get through the superficialities of the chicken sounding crisp when you take it apart with your fingers, you realise that the chicken itself is bland. There’s no taste in the chicken (not even of oil like in the mamak) and worse, the seasoning tastes like flour. It’s a meal to fill the stomach if you had no other option, and I’m kind of regretting eating here cause, well, I’m in Tropicana City Mall. There’s always a better option.
Lesson learnt: No more Chicking after this. Possibly never again.
In June, I turned 27.
This year will mark the first time in over 10 years that I’ve changed jobs three times in less than 8 months.
It will also mark the first time in years that I’ve taken an unofficial break from work. Last year, between May to January of this year, I did not work full-time, but made my way part-timing instead. The results were mixed. I’m not really cut out for freelance, I realise, unless it’s the kind where I can set my own hours doing something routine, like call center customer service. It was an interesting experience. I love being a writer, and doing anything else but that means me being miserable. That’s not to say that writing is completely stress-free or free of pain, but this is a familiar pain that reminds me I’m alive (while I may sound like a maschoist, I would like to assure the reader that I am NOT. I’m not a fan of pain).
The year has also been full of personal landmarks. Mama passed away last year, just after Christmas. Since then, my family has sold off the house and moved into hers. It’s much smaller than my old room, but it feels a bit less impersonal. No, I’ve not felt my grandmother’s spirit haunting me even though I do sleep in her room. I have felt a little bit more lonely though, cause I don’t have my Mama to disturb. It’s the physical things I miss the most; leaning my head against her shoulder, having her pat my head.
It’s all the small little things.
Sigh.
On the geeky side, being a bit more free than usual means I’ve had the time to dip my toes into a few places. Google+ is now one of my favourite places to be, half because I’ve been a bit more selective in the people I add there, and also because it’s much cleaner and nicer compared to Facebook. Social media wise, here’s what I have opened more or less all the time:
Plurk
Twitter
Google+
Facebook
In more or less that order. My dad lent me his HTC Incredible S while I am waiting for my phone to be released in Malaysia… *wanders off to check on the availability* And it seems that Canada already has it. BRB clawing at wall. I’ve been waiting for this phone for months, and if it’s really as nice to type as it suggests, then it’ll be a handy backup to my laptop during Nanowrimo. And I can stop making weird typos on Dad’s Incredible S (called Kuro-Keitai temporarily, aka black handphone).
Coming back to the point though, a smartphone really makes engaging in social media a breeze. It’s not something you can ignore anymore if you work for a tech or media company in Malaysia. Nearly all online Malaysians have a Facebook account. Brand-wise, engaging in social media is important, IMHO, if you have a clear idea of what you’re doing. Otherwise, take your time to figure out exactly what you have to do. The key thing to remember about social media when engaging with others as a brand is that you’re not expected to be corporate all the time. You ARE the image your brand promotes, so if the brand’s a hip, grinning, and young-feeling kind of brand, then talk in that way. Don’t be stiff!
*looks back on what has been written*
Ok I think that’s a wrap.
PS: Cookies for those who can guess what the title refers to! 😛
Hi Naoko, Kishan and Sukina
I know that the Nanowrimo Dreamwidth journal said to leave things out and eventually you’d wondered back, but going out for coffee and coming back with an idea for NOVEMBER when we haven’t even finished this month’s challenge is a bit much, don’t you think?
Sigh.
Back to writing.
No love
Your writer
Overheard after lunch discussions:
[Chris] to Casanova: The hole is just my size.
10 minutes later:
Marukoneko (in the comments): Glad to see Copywriter’s Chronicles has been given a new leash on life! (he meant lease)
Wind_Goddess: (meaning Marukuneko) He’s into BDSM.
Several hours later:
Me: I’m not quite satisfied with the teasers…
[Ian]: You’re not satisfied with the tweezers?
Me: …