One fine day, I decided to be a Grab driver. After googling for an hour, I found a 'Grab driver-partners car rental programme' site, which interested me since I had no car. After a minute of filling up the online form, I waited half day before receiving a SMS asking me to go to Grab Driver Centre Axis the next day to finish the registration process.
On 22nd November 2019, I drove approximately an hour to reach the GDC Axis in Petaling Jaya. I parked my car and walked enthusiastically into GDC building. There were at least 50 people lining up. There was a notice, prompting newly registered driver to go to Counter 22. No queue was required. The man asked for my Identification Card and driving license. After a short registration into his system, he asked me to wait at Counter 19. A nice chap asked me whether I had done my PSV training. I told him I was unfamiliar with PSV. He described the whole process of registering for a Grab driver. At the end of his explaination, he asked me to pay RM50 being payment for summon check, bankruptcy check and other administrative checks. He took my face photo as I stood on its white wall. I was asked to undergo an online training which I took half an hour to complete.
Time spent for the whole registration process (including driving time) - 4 hours
Money spent - Car petrol (RM10 for 50km drive), Toll (RM5), Parking fee (RM3), Administrative fees (RM50) - A total of RM68
After three working days, I received a Whatsapp post that my application was approved. I had to drive to GDC again to pay RM450 being payment for car rental deposit (RM350) and administration fee (RM100). I attended the New driver classroom training for two hours and undergone a medical check up which was paid by Grab company (current promotion).
The last part of the Grab driver's requirement was getting a PSV license. I registered for my PSV training online (grb.to/GR_psv) and did an Instant Cash Transfer of RM80 to GrabCar Sdn Bhd. The current available slot for the PSV training will be on 7 December 2019 (Saturday).
Time spent for classroom training and medical check up (including driving time) - 7 hours
Money spent - Car petrol (RM10 for 50 km drive), Toll (RM5), Parking fee (RM11), Car rental deposit and administrative fee (RM450), PSV training fee (RM80) - A total of RM556
Monday, December 30, 2019
Monday, July 8, 2019
Penang trip 2019
On 5th July 2019, we drove to Penang. It had been more than four years since we last visited the state.
We were anticipating a great durian feast there. We drove straight into G Hotel's car park, located at the hotel's basement.
As soon as we were freshen up, we got into the car and drove straight to Balik Pulau. Friends were telling us that we could find great durian at good price. After driving for 30 minutes, we stopped at a durian stall at the roadside. A Chinese family was busy handling a big crowd, mostly consisted of mainland Chinese. First impression was great. I asked the old lady what variety of durian was she selling. She mentioned that they were selling 'Ochee' (Black Thorn) at RM15/kg. Probably I heard wrongly.
We smelt, we shook, we carefully observed for any holes, and we smelt the durians again. We took two durians and they weighted slightly more than 4kg in total. We paid RM65 and eagerly anticipated the king of fruit.
The first bite was disappointing. I asked the lady why was it hard and odourless? She merely replied "It is like that lah. Some part ripe already. Some part unripe". My heart sunk.
I took another seed. The orangey flesh looked nice. The moment I took a taste, it was good. Sweet. Rich flavor filled my mouth. Lovely. In the end, I ate 12 seeds. I loved its creaminess.
We drove on towards the kampung area. We tried the D24 and durian kampung. Comparatively, these durian were more satisfying. Probably we set our expectation too high. After building such high hope, my anticipation suddenly evaporated. My last words for Penang durian. "Let's forget it. Let's go to Bentong instead!"
Day 2 started with breakfast in the hotel's restaurant called Taste Cafe. Jacob was very happy to have his first chocolate fondue experience. We went to Kek Lok Si Temple for see its tortoises.
The last time I went to the temple, I barely ten years old. Almost Darrien's age. We purchased the tram's tickets and walked around the tourist spot.
After taking two trams and a buggy car ride up the temple, we arrived at the Guan Yin statue.
We wandered around the vast area for ten minutes and started to descend the hill again.
It was almost lunch time when we were done. I wanted to try the infamous Air Itam asam laksa. RM5 a bowl. The boys tried it but Jacob kept shaking his head, not wanting more of the dish. Frankly, I was disappointed too.
The best part of the trip probably was the hotel's swimming pool. We had many hours waddling in the pool. The boys kept doing the forbidden act of diving despite my angry remarks.
Wife's only good memory for the trip was the sweet Apom Manis.
Time moved fast when we were relaxing. Thank you Penang for this holiday.
We were anticipating a great durian feast there. We drove straight into G Hotel's car park, located at the hotel's basement.
As soon as we were freshen up, we got into the car and drove straight to Balik Pulau. Friends were telling us that we could find great durian at good price. After driving for 30 minutes, we stopped at a durian stall at the roadside. A Chinese family was busy handling a big crowd, mostly consisted of mainland Chinese. First impression was great. I asked the old lady what variety of durian was she selling. She mentioned that they were selling '
We smelt, we shook, we carefully observed for any holes, and we smelt the durians again. We took two durians and they weighted slightly more than 4kg in total. We paid RM65 and eagerly anticipated the king of fruit.
The first bite was disappointing. I asked the lady why was it hard and odourless? She merely replied "It is like that lah. Some part ripe already. Some part unripe". My heart sunk.
I took another seed. The orangey flesh looked nice. The moment I took a taste, it was good. Sweet. Rich flavor filled my mouth. Lovely. In the end, I ate 12 seeds. I loved its creaminess.
We drove on towards the kampung area. We tried the D24 and durian kampung. Comparatively, these durian were more satisfying. Probably we set our expectation too high. After building such high hope, my anticipation suddenly evaporated. My last words for Penang durian. "Let's forget it. Let's go to Bentong instead!"
Day 2 started with breakfast in the hotel's restaurant called Taste Cafe. Jacob was very happy to have his first chocolate fondue experience. We went to Kek Lok Si Temple for see its tortoises.
The last time I went to the temple, I barely ten years old. Almost Darrien's age. We purchased the tram's tickets and walked around the tourist spot.
After taking two trams and a buggy car ride up the temple, we arrived at the Guan Yin statue.
We wandered around the vast area for ten minutes and started to descend the hill again.
It was almost lunch time when we were done. I wanted to try the infamous Air Itam asam laksa. RM5 a bowl. The boys tried it but Jacob kept shaking his head, not wanting more of the dish. Frankly, I was disappointed too.
The best part of the trip probably was the hotel's swimming pool. We had many hours waddling in the pool. The boys kept doing the forbidden act of diving despite my angry remarks.
Wife's only good memory for the trip was the sweet Apom Manis.
Time moved fast when we were relaxing. Thank you Penang for this holiday.
Saturday, January 26, 2019
Sunday, January 20, 2019
Wife's Birthday 2019
We went to One Utama to watch an acrobatic lion dance show yesterday. The boys were very excited and sat on the side of the performance venue 45 minutes earlier, to get a better view. Angel was enthusiastic at first but suddenly became reserved and even started to shiver upon seeing the lion heads.
On Sunday, we went to Mid Valley to watch another acrobatic lion dance as well as to celebrate Wife's birthday in Chili's. The performance was superb and the boys seemed awed by the colourful, 'smiling lions'.
Performance lasted 25 minutes. Even when the last sound of the cymbals stopped, the boys still mingled around the Centre Court, playing with the many lion dance heads displayed there. We drove home happily after finishing our seared salmon and medium-rare steak.
On Sunday, we went to Mid Valley to watch another acrobatic lion dance as well as to celebrate Wife's birthday in Chili's. The performance was superb and the boys seemed awed by the colourful, 'smiling lions'.
Performance lasted 25 minutes. Even when the last sound of the cymbals stopped, the boys still mingled around the Centre Court, playing with the many lion dance heads displayed there. We drove home happily after finishing our seared salmon and medium-rare steak.
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
Darrien went to the stage again for his Chinese poem declamation competition.
A week earlier, he insisted he could not memories the lyric. He said he gave up. He said he was anxious about going for the competition despite being in a group. Wife insisted he should give himself a chance. I could still hear his brother said at the background "Don't give up easily" Echoing what Wife said every nights. After encouraging Darrien for many days, my boy was surprised one day that he could memorise the whole script easily. While smiling silly to himself.
And what his Daddy is doing all this while? Sitting behind a silly screen, looking at the silly current political scene in the country.
Day 21 at home. I cooked bah kut teh with pork ribs, three layered pork, lean pork and processed meat balls. Buying and preparing the ingredients are not easy chores to be done. Even for a seasoned stay-at-home dad. Like errr... me.
After boiling the water, I proceeded to put the ingredients except for the greens.
As I am writing, I realized that there are no more photos to be posted. Yeah. My mind cannot juggle too many things at a time. Working slow paced and being forgetful had been plaguing me for a long time. One cannot underestimate the capabilities of housewives. Their comitments and passion are very much admired.
Have a blessed week ahead.
Monday, May 14, 2018
Voting in Sibu 2018
It was a dramatic week! At first, I was quite reluctant to go on a 8-hour journey back to Sibu to vote. Wife encouraged me to go as every single vote mattered a lot, especially in this General Election 14.
I arrived at 5 a.m. Pa went to fetch me at the bus terminal and we had Sibu kampua mee. After taking a quick shower, I drove myself to the polling station. With mere two hours to spare, I went to Leong Leong Cafe for a wu wei thang drink. When I was small, we always dropped by to buy a packet of the RM5 drink to be shared among our family members. I wasn't too fond of it but it was nostalgic.
Grabbing some kompia, I went home to get my bag pack. By 11 a.m., I was snoring in the bus for another 9-hour journey back to Miri.
Leaving with bad memories of inconsiderate drivers in SIbu
I arrived at 5 a.m. Pa went to fetch me at the bus terminal and we had Sibu kampua mee. After taking a quick shower, I drove myself to the polling station. With mere two hours to spare, I went to Leong Leong Cafe for a wu wei thang drink. When I was small, we always dropped by to buy a packet of the RM5 drink to be shared among our family members. I wasn't too fond of it but it was nostalgic.
Grabbing some kompia, I went home to get my bag pack. By 11 a.m., I was snoring in the bus for another 9-hour journey back to Miri.
Leaving with bad memories of inconsiderate drivers in SIbu
Saturday, May 5, 2018
Piasau Boat Club Family Day
I had not been to this place for many years. The last time I came, I was attending a beach wedding.
The private Club held its Family Day over the weekend.
The boys were having such great times that we went to the place. Twice. In a day.
The boys went kayaking in the afternoon. Being the only two on the sea water. I wasn't too worried as the water level is hardly to my waist line only.
Jacob seemed quite perky with the kayaking ativity.
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