And another ex-colleague who has quit audit and missing the audit life.

It’s much harder when you are a mother and an auditor at the same time. Super duper hard. U miss ur baby, u want to cuddle and hug ur baby. But the bosses keep calling u. U don’t have ur weekend. And most of the time u work around 16-18 hours a day.

Ughh.. nightmare. Most of the time u think u cannot do this, u won’t survive but it will pass. Cos when the situation is tough, you automatically will be tougher cos the situation force u to be tougher. U cry, u wailed, u complained, in the end, u get through. When u look back, u wonder how u did it. U feel amazed with urself, hehehe. (That’s how I always feel, hahaha).

When I was in audit and complaint endlessly to my aunty, she keep asking, “Why u stay? Why don’t u get out since u suffered so much!”

My reason would be, “Cos of my exam. The stupid bond. And so much money  has been spend for the exam!”

But I think the truth is, eventhough I suffered, I feel comfortable there. I know my way around. I know what the future would be. (Different client, same client, the procedures is just the same!). There won’t be any drastic change. Every day in the audit firm is basically the same.  The best part is just u get to audit different client and the FRS keep coming up with new standards, ur days are never boring! There are always things to think. A lot of things to think and do!

And so the thought of working elsewhere, in non-audit company, is quite scary.  Most of us are scared of being committed to that one job, repetitive job, we scared we get bored. We’ve seen cases of colleagues quitting audit only to enter it again cos they find working 9-5 is boring. Oh yes, we have become a complete workaholic.

And in audit, since u spend so much time at the office/client, u bonded with ur colleagues. They become ur family. They understand u better than ur family and friends cos they went through the same situation as u! I think that’s what most of us miss, the bond. Cos when u r working in a 9-5 job, u don’t really have time to bond. Cos everybody have their own life. They went to have their own activities after working hours. Unlike audit, u seems to share ur life with ur colleagues. So u did things together. And sometimes cos u r so bz at the office, u lost some of ur friends so these colleagues become ur bff.

I miss them, the people I know when I was in audit. Most of them has left anyway. I miss the bond, the team spirit. They are part of me, helping me to become who I am today.

But I hope I will not return to audit again. Hahahah. So far, I love my 9-5 job. InsyaAllah.

I even bought the magnetic sweep, better than normal sweeper but vacuum still the best. So when the vacuum broke down, at the time my in laws was coming, I have to sweep the whole house! Ughhh… Now I still sweeping but cannot really clean the carpet. Still need vacuum.

So, i was googling on which vacuum, surveying at shops for the price. And I get confuse. Whats the difference between 1400 watts with 1800 ones? More powerful? Then I read about suction power. Sigh. What is that?

Then there’s upright vacuum like electrolux and normal ones that I always use. Sigh. If I buy the cheap one, how long will it last? Will the expensive one really last longer? Ahhh…

I wish i live in a hotel. Hahhaha

http://www.suhaibwebb.com/category/personaldvlpt/

- I’m still breathing, I managed to read Mathurat after Subuh

- Arrived work on time and had a nice breakfast (successfully avoiding nasi lemak)

- I have my husband and Danish and all my families

- I have a job that I currently happy with it

- I have a roof over my head

I am grateful and blessed. Thank you Allah.

Hope I will end today with at least, a page from Quran (my 2012 resolution, at least a page of Quran a day, with translation), InsyaAllah.

This got me thinking after getting a phone call from a friend, asking me the syllabus for one year old at a nursery I’m going to send Danish next month, INsyaAllah.

I laughed at her Q. Thinking why u want your 1 year old to be pressured into learning at early stage?

The principal did briefly explain the syllabus but I don’t really give it a thought at that time cos I don’t really care. One year old! It’s his time to play right. And if he learn along the way, it should be a fun process. Not pressured or tested, right? My opinion.

I’m not sure if I’m going to be a tiger mother. Pressuring the kid to be the best in everything.  While I was growing up, my parents don’t really give pressure. They just say study and do your best. If we don’t study or finish our homework, then yes we get scold but we are not pressured to be the number one. They did not ask us, why we r not no 1. Why u cannot be like that boy/girl etc. But then maybe it just my view, as Alhamdulillah, all through the years I’m quite at the top of my class so maybe I do not feel any pressure. Maybe my other siblings did. I donno.

And yes, I’m proud when Danish accomplished certain things that seems early for his age. When people praised how clever he is. But I’m not sure I want to pressure him. Hmmm

Maybe I will be a tiger mother? But if possible, I like him to learn in a fun way. Not cos of pressure or stress from his parents. Hope I can maintain that.

Danish can now say Mummy Daddy :)

 And no, I don’t pressure him to say that.

January – Was in charge of handling another client, a bank in KL. Around 8 months pregnant. Thankfully I have a great team and manager which always let me go home early (early in audit unofficial working hours)

February – Alhamdulillah, it’s a month full of public holidays that I manage to take 2 weeks of before the due date. After 17 hours of pain, Danish is safely born. Had pantang at my in laws in Penang.

March – Pantang! Full of emotional turmoil and dramas. Drama with the maid, the confinement lady, my family etc. Adapting to the little ones takes time. Ahh.. drama with susu yang tak cukup, yg sakit berdarah .. hmmm

April – Back to work. Leaving Danish in Penang. Another emotional turmoil. Every Friday I have to travel back to Penang and Sunday, back to KL. Very very tiring.

May – Hand in my resignation letter. I’ve had enough. I quit without having any job offer. A risk. Ahh.. money is good there, if i stay. Though I believe money can make u happy, it’s only when shared with ur loved ones. If u don’t have time to spend with ur loved ones, when do u want to enjoy the money?

June – Bye bye audit firm. Bye bye misery. Alhamdulillah, few days after I quit, went to job interview and got an offer. Alhamdulillah. Rezeki Allah yang tentukan, kan? The salary is not so good but I want happiness, I want spending time with family so I made the choice.

It marks our 2 years wedding anniversary too. 2 years of ups and downs. Of quarrels, tears, laughter, hugs and kisses. May our marriage last til our death and be filled with joy and laughter.

July – I’ve got a maid. House was spotless clean for few weeks. Danish was only in KL for a week before we realised the maid had a very bad diabetic. She failed the medical check up. The immigration won’t approve her permit. The agent will not replace with new maid. I lost 4k, just like that. I like to think it’s because of I didn’t really do a lot of sedekah. Or maybe it’s the zakat I did not paid in previous years. It was not meant to be mine.

August – Ramadhan and Raya. 1st raya with Danish. I was still going back and forth KL- Penang-KL every weekend. Alhamdulillah, with the new job, I really don’t need to work during weekend.

September – My sister’s wedding. It was nice having all the families around. And Danish has been a good boy, having fun with the crowd. Sampai letih sangat tido senang je. Mr H and I went on a roadtrip to Terengganu when we went to the groom side in Kuantan. We had fun shopping at Pasar Payang and Noor Arfa. And the scenic view going back to KL. But may not drive again to Terengganu, hehehe.

October – I was sent to Stavanger, Norway for 2 months training. Not a place I thought I would go. And it’s not really a place u want to be, ahhaa. It’s so expensive and the weather did not help. As winter approaches, it rains almost everyday. Always dark and gloomy. Oh yeah, I had few dramas regarding the staff house. Sigh.

November – Mr H arrived in Norway! Few days and he found out how boring this town is. Hahha. Anyway, took a day off and went Milan for a weekend. We had lots drama in the highway, getting lost. Not understanding Italian. Still, we had fun, shopping, discovering Lake Como. Wish we had more days to spend there. 3 days is just not enough!

December – got back to Malaysia last Friday. Alhamdulillah, Danish recognized me and is so happy that his mummy n daddy are back. Went on a short trip with inlaws during Xmas holiday and the verdict? We may not go for any vacation until Danish is like 4 years old? Hahha. He get so miserable and cranky! Kesian mummy n daddy :p

It has been great year. I had the greatest gift of all, Danish. I am blessed, alhamdulillah.
Wishing for more joy, happiness and laughter with my loved ones.

So, will I miss Stavanger? Might say big NO but yes, there are things I would miss such as:

-          Having taxi driver picking up every day from home-work-home. Doesn’t matter with the traffic, I just sleep. No need to be stress in the traffic and curse at those cars that cut the line. I’m not driving! Suke sangat cos I really don’t like to drive but driving is way better than taking public transport.

-          Going back from work at 4.30pm. In Malaysia, even earliest is 5.30pm. It’s so nice, 8.30am to 4.30pm. By the time I finished cooking and eat the dinner, it’s only 6.30pm! In KL, jangan harap bley sampai umah and habis masak at 6.30pm, hahah (bila aku masak which is very rare in KL, here its everyday!)

Hmm, I can only think of these two. Guess I won’t be missing much, .

What will I do once I reach KL? Makan Malaysian food, of course! Dan boikot salad like until forever, hahahaha. Tak lalu dah dok telan salad tiap2 ari.

Ahhh… kari kepala ikan, sotong goreng tepung, ikan bakar.. ahh… list is endless!

1. Grandma

My grandma passed away last Friday. Al-Fatihah to her.

I got the news while going to a meeting. I cannot stop thinking moments with her when she was alive and healthy. SHe used to live with my family when I was small but I can hardly remember those moments except for she use to teach us to read Quran, rotan us when we play during those session. Then I got another chance to live with her, when my parents was in UK, I used to go to her house during weekends and school holidays. At that time, I used to be mad at her cos she always tell people, almost everyone how lazy I am that I never help her to cook and clean the house. I was 15 years old at that time. I find it annoying that she tell me I’m lazy. Hahhaa.

My grandma was a remarkable women. She raised 12 childrens. My grandparents was a rubber tapper and it amazed me that they managed to send 11 childrens to university! We always said to my mom that Tok should get the Tokoh Maal Hijrah.

Tok was sick for years. During her final days, she didn’t even recognise who I am anymore. It’s difficult to see her sick and weak as she used to be strong and tough. I remembered how she argue with taxi drivers cos they charge so high for just 10 mins ride from town to her house. We ended up walking. And she walked so fast. I can hardly caught up with her at that time.

Then she got sick. There’s no more her famous sup tulang during hari raya. No more rendang. Ketupat. Kuih she made herself. She’s a really good cook.

She’s great. I hope she will be placed among the pious. Al-Fatihah to tok.

2. Menghitung hari

One week plus for me to go back to Malaysia! Hope everything goes as planned. No bad weather etc. I’m always scared of flying. No matter how many times I have flown, I still get the butterfly in my stomach feeling each time I’m in a plane. SIgh.

Danish has grown up so fast and I have missed so much. Yes, it’s a regret but I need money, for him and our family, thus I have to do what I have to do.

He can now clap his hand when asked to. He can do twinkle twinkle little star with hand, so cute! He can wave good bye. He start to cruise.

Each time we skype, he will want to hold the ipad and turn it around cos he expect us to be behind the screen. Then he will mengamuk when he cannot find us. Sigh. Hearth breaking moment.

3. Stavanger weather

It rains almost everyday here. There’s some occasional snows with the rains but it’s not a lot. U can’t build any snowman or play snowball as it’s so little. It’s nicer to have snow during winter as with just rain, the weather is so dark and gloomy. With snow, it covers everything to be white. And it doesn’t look so gloomy despite the cold weather.

Oh well. I can’t wait to get out of here. I just miss Malaysia so much.

Our flight has been changed to another airlines as Amsterdam airport are closed due to foggy weather. And so, we have 5 hours to kill the time before our departure time. I’m not sure what we going to do. We cannot check in yet and shops before check in are limited. Few restaurants, one newspaper shop and one small tie-rack shop. Sigh. Hope there’s more shop after check in.

So, we are in Milan but we didn’t visit Milan itself. Hahaha. The purpose of this trip is to shop at factory outlet as Milan have quite a few big outlets.

We went to foxtown outlet in mendrisio, Switzerland and serravalle outlet, 1 hour+ from Milan.

From Milan, it just one hour+ to Switzerland border and I think the famous Swiss area nearby here is Lugano. Famous for it’s beautiful lake and view.

We plan to go to Lugano but we spend so much time at the foxtown. Polo Ralph Lauren quite cheap compared to normal shop price. For example, the plain polo t-shirt cost around rm500 but there it’s rm180. Cheap? But I still think it’s expensive to spend rm180 on a shirt. Hahaha. So, if u have a big spending power, then u will think everything so cheap.

For the first night, we stayed at cruise hotel in como. It was nice. The room is big, the bathroom is huge but the Internet is so slow. And there’s only 5 channel on the tv, the English is CNN. Sigh.

Next morning we went to lake como. It was so beautiful. A lake surrounded by mountains, amazing! No wonder Maya Karin choose to get married there, the view is just so amazing. Why stavanger cannot be like that? It have sea, mountains but the view is so different. Hmmmm

Then we off to serravalle factory outlet. Apparently it’s the biggest outlet in Europe!

We rent a car cos I thought it’s much more convenience to have a car then using the public transport. But I don’t think we will do it again. Rent a car and drive in a country where people don’t speak English. Damn, it was frustrating. Alhamdulillah I was sent to stavanger where English is spoken everywhere.

We got lost few times on the road. And the garmin don’t have Italy in it’s database! Yeah, reminder, check garmin before going off. Thankfully I print some google maps before coming. Though we still spend few hours getting lost due to not understanding signage and construction works which are not in google map.

I really wish we don’t rent a car. Cos there’s bus available to both outlet from Milan. Cos when u have shopping in your itinerary, u really cannot due much sight seeing if u have limited time. Cos shopping takes a day!

Serravalle outlet is really huge. I’ve been to Cheshire oaks and bicester outlets and compared to serravalle, they are not so big. Again, the high end brands like prada, furla, ferragamo etc is cheap compared to normal price but I still cannot afford it. Hahaha. My spending power is quite small, :p

Still, a nice but tiring and rushing trip. An experience that will be remembered.

Seriously not recommended for holiday, hahah.

Today my colleagues went hiking up a famous Pulpit Rock (their only attraction – sigh), but since I’m not really a fan of hiking or any activity that need a lot of energy, so I didn’t go. I’m seriously not fit at all. And still don’t want to exercise. Aishh

The office here currently have a competition, called 10 000 step a day! It’s to promote healthy environment where everybody have to meet the minimum 10K step a day. There’s a small device which can fit to the pants and count your step as you move. And guess what, 10K a day is HARD! But these people take incentive to do some running, cycling, marathon etc. This is a really good competition right. And of course, I didn’t join. Hahaha. Damn lazy.

I don’t think I will lose weight either when I get back. I’ve been cooking rice everyday. Halal chicken and meat is available from some local supermarket so not much problem getting them. Though during lunch time, I usually eat salad, bread and some sardines as the meal of the day always have meat in them. Sigh

One more month to go. I miss KL so much. Missing Danish much more.

Time please fly very very fast. It’s getting colder too. Not nice.