Friday, February 16, 2007
Alex
8:00 PM
Thursday, February 01, 2007
I was sitting down on my desk doing some calculations when one of the engineers came up to me and ask if I could do a site wakover for this site in Station Road. Somehow this place rings a bell. I must have heard of it somewhere. Then it came to me, this was the site that a colleague of mine got bitten my these crazy dogs while surveying the property not too long ago. SHIT.
Reluctant and uneasy, I ask Sean (the senior enginner) if there was another alternative access to the site. Luckily, there was one, entering from the back door crossing a little stream. GREAT.
So I grabbed my shovel, camera, gumboots, plans and headed off. Upon reaching the site, I got down the car and started walking into this uninhabited piece of land filled with long grass and wild plants growing everywhere. Have you guys ever walk ALONE in an extremely silent wild forest juggling the fact that there could be dogs ready to pounch on you any minute? not a pleasant experience I assure you.... Alas, I finally reached the stream where the border of my site lies. GREAT.
Now all I need to do is to cross the stream and start taking some photos. Problem is, stream is quite wide and only access is a piece of plank about 5cm wide. I put a foot on the plank to check its stability. No creaking, no snapping, no problems. GREAT.
Then I took another step. Trip trap trip trap. Then suddenly, the wood starts to give way. Thanks to my quick reflexes, I decided to take a leap of faith to reach the other end. Fortunately, I managed to only just reach the side bank of the stream. Just when I was about to praise my efforts, the ground I was standing on slid. SHIT.
Alex
7:10 PM
Monday, January 29, 2007
This holiday has been nothing short but boring. No thanks to all those bloody friends who decided to leave the country and enjoy life somewhere else. Apart from the few glimpses of fun, I find myself working, working and working even more. My daily routine reads: Get ready for work, drive to work, work, drive back to work, reach home and relax from work, talk about work on the dinner table, work out , get ready for work tomorrow and dream about work in sleep. Notice how every action has the word "work" in it. Yea...thats why im so peeved off seeing my holiday flying by and im doing nothing but working.
Nevertheless, not all is bleak in Alex's world. Long gone are the days where I use to punch sheets of paper for filing or buy the usual BLT sandwich for my boss, now, Im actually doing more engineering work. Sizing drains, calculating runoff, writing reports, reading boring engineering manuals, drink beer.....you know, all the stuff that a true engineer would do.
The holidays for christmas was also great. I had the opportunity to join my cousin, Rachel, better known as that girl who won the airline ticket (Ps: HEy rach, if you're reading this, you're my fav cousin you know and i kinda want to go back msia...you do the maths) and some of her friend. We went to coromandel which was beautiful with all its sandy bitches and magnificent views. One beach in particular, aptly named Hot water beach, stands out in my mind. Its awesome coz upon arriving there, you see all these people with shovels conglomerating on a certain area of the beach. So we went to check it out and we saw people digging into the sand and soaking their feet into hot, steamy water!!...how awesome is that...not the water of coz but hot steamy people!!
We also did some kayaking, played some beach volleyball, tramping which was all good fun....ahh...good times....shortly after that, I went for another holiday, this time with my old man. It was a weekend trip to conquer Tongariro Crossing, rated as one of NZ best one day walks. Having climbed Mt Kinabalu, I had an arrogant sorta demeanor and rightly so as Mt Kinabalu aint your average bukit gasing. And the people in Sabah also aint your average joe, I mean look at Sean, his strong, fit, talented and he also owes me lunch now. Anyway, the climb was awesome. So many types of different terrain - rocky, forest, half rocky half foresty and gravelled. We were treated to beautiful views of emerald lakes, lush forest and cascading waterfalls. I'll let the photos speak for themselves:
The whole gang at the entrance
The seemingly never ending path
Looks like Mt Doom ay...theres some Uruk Hai on the foreground
The gorgeous legs..i mean lakes...shit..2 british girls in front of you doesnt really help while trekking
Me and me daddy (im the one on the left, just in case you didnt know)
Other than that, there was some BBQ's here and there and also we went to Kbox for sean's bday, which was fun hearing him singing like Ricky Martin (at this rate, you're gonna owe me a king's feast). New year's eve was great as we looked at some fire works launching from top of Sky tower and also some fire works on sky city hotel as a couple that forgotten to close the curtains was ...shall I say...getting to know each other really well.
All in all, I trust you guys are coping well ..please do post something in the chat box about your holidays and what not... heres to a great, wonderful and properous year for everybody ( I know we're 29 days into it already but what the heck). CHEERIO.
Alex
2:47 PM
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Nevertheless, today was quite exciting. I was scheduled for a day trip to Pukekohe. Sean (the senior environmental engineer) and I were going to 2 sites to collect soil samples to be tested for possible contamination.
So off we went, for about three quarters of an hour drive. We reached this huge piece of farm land mainly use for grazing and sheep herding. The issue with this site was there used to be a sheep dip present around the 1950's.
Sheep dips are a particularly nasty land feature as it contains chemicals that could potentially be harmful to humans. The dips are used to kill parasites on sheep and the organophosphate-based versions are generally used because it is cheaper and thought to be more effective than other formulations. Problem is, some people might be genetically allergic to the organophosphate dips. To cut the long story short, potential soil contamination from these chemicals and furthermore, potential contamination to the water supply cause by the runoff from discharge points could very well determine if these lands are fit for subdividing for residential purposes.
Since the dip was not used for so long, it was completely covered with grass and debris. We spent about 2 hours digging soil to determine the general shape of the dip. Also present within the site is a water trough, a woolshed (which had a zinc roof and lead base corrugated iron paint panels that could be harmful to the environment from storm water runoff) and also an offal hole (go find out what it is and bear in mind that we had to take samples around that area).
After that, it was off to the next site and on the way there, we had our lunch in the car (man, engineers cant even stop for lunch). Somewhere along the motorway, we had to stop to measure a culvert diameter. In order to measure it, we had to jump across this fence. Probably being too gung ho, I started climbing the fence firstly by leaning my arm on the up most point. But there was a problem....
...
.....
.....
THE FLIPPIN FENCE WAS ELECTRIC!!! DUH!!.... After tolerating the carnage, I managed to cross the fence using my gymnastics skills ; a double backflip, lateral twist, 360 spin combo.
Next on the agenda was a visit to Franklin District Council to get some aerial photographs, then it was off to our next site. This site is an orchid farm with its own boiler room, waste oil unit and pump station. We had to test for mainly heavy metals (like arsenic and copper) and also organic pesticides ( e.g. DDT) which can be carcinogenic. Historically, this land was used for market gardening (tomatoes, cucumber etc) which means DDT based pesticides is very much prevalent in surrounding soil.
Finally, after collecting samples and taking photographs, we were done for the day. On the way back, Sean was explaining all this technical gibberish which I should be listening but was too busy observing the lush farmland and two cows getting it on.
Oh…before I sign off, my company is having a dinner this saturday and the theme is "Outer Space". Please offer some ideas. And no, not Chewbacca.
Alex
5:53 PM
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
So the day started out as usual with....*drum roll*....filing...Ive been doing so much that Im actually getting quite good at it now, I might open my own company: Cheah Filing Ltd - We do the Filing, so you will be Smiling- . Oh!!....before all that, I woke up 5 am this morning to watch MU and chelsea, and I must say, what spirit and vigour we showed during the first half...absolutely smahsing...however, I was absolutely raging when chelsea scored the equaliser, not only did it stem from a lackluster free kick from our own half but how the ref failed to book DOGba for his elbow. Furthermore, that knucklehead Ashley Cole should be strapped to a gurney and castrated with fishing knifes for all his challenges on Ronaldo. Gimme a break...
Anyway, where was I...yeah, work....so work begin as usual and suddenly, as if from the heavens above, an angel, in the form of a senior architect/engineer came up to me. "Hey fella, you got some time to spare??" he said. " I sure do" I answered, dropping my file for project 31625/2 which was gonna be place in row 2, column 1 under the Master files. "Come along with me to Albany for some site inspection” he said with a voice so angelic. Oh, what sweet words, thank thee kind soul, may God bless you all the days of your lives.
OFF I WENT....to Albany!!!...passing the harbour bridge, entering SH17, passing the roundabout where I did my survey work for SKM (good times ay Sean), passing the North Harbour stadium, passing Totara Restaurant which according my fellow colleague, henceforth known as Collin The Saviour (CTS), is a great place to dine (so take notes guys, next time we are in the shore, we should try out this place). One could not write the script any better, it was a lovely, sunny day, birds chirping, bees buzzing, flowers blooming and CTS and I chat while driving along about everything from rugby to concrete.
We soon reached a road called forrey quarry road which is located in some rural area with large farming pastures. Upon entering the house, CTS gave me a brief lowdown and what we are going to do. "Right Alex, we are going to investigate this house and take some measurements and photographs. It recently caught fire and we are here to inspect the extend of the damage and report it to the insurance company with a valuation on cost for remedial."
Sweet...A burned house....WOOHOO,this is getting better and better....We walked along the driveway and was greeted by an old chap. He showed us around the house while regurgitating past events leading to the fire. I tagged along with CTS, holding the camera and measuring tape. With our hard hats, I was consistently poking and stomping the walls and flooring acting as though I was a professional investigator when I knew next to nothing. Wanting to impress my fellow colleague, I walked along the fire place (which is where the fire started, unsurprisingly) and knocked on the gib-board with my knuckles, peer up the ceilings, inspect the timber flooring, took a bit of the ashes and smelt it, feeling the steel column supporting the fire place, shining the torchlight into some random places....basically doing all the shit I watched on CSI....AND IT FELT SO DAMN FREAKING COOL...i even had rubber gloves and those tapes that surround the site that said "Do not enter without authorization" to give that real CSI taste.
All was well and good until CTS asked me.."so what do you think?"..CRAP...after seeing me doing all the hardout "investigation" he probably wants me to give an assesment. "The fire started here, spread northeast, damaging the main panels and ceilings. Funny thing is, the curtain on the eastern wing of the house was intact and the ash distribution is inconsistent with the damage of the timber struts. Also, reinforced concrete column should show signs of yeilding due to small slenderness ratio but instead buckle along its major axis. I deduce that the owner started the fire himself, knowing full well he had the insurance cover, in order to claim the damage as he wanted a new living room so he can have friends over for a tea party." That is what I probably should say but instead I settled for the more abbreviated version which was "This fire look real bad. Guess we better started taking some photographs."
5 hours past like lightning. After measuring distances, taking photographs and sketching the plan, X-section views, we went home. After reaching headquarters, I felt satisfied and wouldnt mind more filing. But things got even better, they gave me my very own desk, equipped with pens, diary, sticky pads, a stapler, roller chair with ARM REST, 17 inch CRT monitor (not flat screen, but whose complaining), highlighters, a health and safety manual, telephone ( A TELEPHONE!!...believe that) and a wall planner. Furthermore, tomorrow and the day after, I am scheduled for more site inspection in massey and posonby. YEEHAA!!!!...bring it on!!!..more forensic work!!!......not quite, probably soil sampling and effluent disposal.
Alex
5:54 PM
Friday, November 24, 2006
- Exams was around the corner and I had an awesome idea.....STUDY!!...why not...
- I had to pack all my stuff coz Im shifting AGAIN (nomadic lifestyle me have)
- Got started on a new job in this company called FRASER THOMAS
Busy ay....I know....BUT FINALLY....im settling down. New house is preety cool. I must say, I love it. The best part is the shower, its much wider than the previous house which means I now get to do some dancing in addition to my singing performance.
As for my job.....well, it has its moments but sometimes I just feel like pencilling a visit with the angel of death. Mundane, shitty jobs like filing, stamping, labeling, buying stationary, more filing, archiving, data entry, more flippin filing makes up a huge chunk of my day. 2 years studying hard out bending moments, water treatment, differential equations just to do some job that my 10 year old bro can probably handle. Should have joined Malique when he offered me that trafficking job...damn....could have score a free ounce of amsterdam's finest as well.....Nevertheless, I did some preety cool stuff as well like collecting contaminated soil and groundwater samples *nerdy snort*. I also learned some AutoCAD and now can successfully draw/erase straight lines and curves with ease.
Adding to my dismay, the majority of staff consists of these dorky, white melanin, bald bafoons that is probably just as exciting as watching Gigli with Chris Smail on commentary. A typical conversation would be:
Guy 1: So..the other day, I was fixing this stainless steel grating with M type bolt connection and was wondering whether the cross section could be reinforced to prevent excessive deflection at mid span.
Guy 2: Yea....theres lots you can do...blah blah...concrete....blah blah...joist...blah blah...post tension
Me: Hey guys... whose watch Borat??
* staff room turns silent, people halt and stare blankly at me *
Me: um.....pass the tea please....
Also, the average age of farts working in my firm is probably 45 with a racial spread of 89% white guys, 10% pacific islanders (mainly in the surveying department) and one miserable token asian guy (yes....yours truly). Gender split is also very bias with alpha males dominating the vast amount of male staff present. However, in retrospect, this job sure beats those pak N save, bakers delight days where pay was crap and work was aplenty.
Anyway, enough bout work...I recently been watching loads of Ali G clips on youtube and my fav is the interview with the beckhams...you gotta watch this...his got some hilarious lines such as:
Ali: Now Beckham, do u reckon the better the footballer u is, the fitter the girl u get?
Beckham: *smiles sheephisly*....obviously
Ali: So u is the best in football and u get posh...so does sporty spice goes out with someone from scumford united?
Victoria: thats horrible...thats my fren and shes lovely..
Ali: But is u saying that scumford united is not a good team...thats horrible
HAHAH....classic....and this one liner...
Ali: So do you want your boy to grow up to be a footballer like his dad or a singer like Mariah Carey?
and lastly, my favourite...
Ali: Lets talk bout fashion..beckham, we all seen pictures of u wearing clothes that is making u seem well embarrassing and a laughing stock....why do u wear that england football shirt?
Watch it!! RESPECT!!!
anyway...me is signing out now and me wanna hear from my main man, sean...if you reading this, u better be arranging the trip, those homie in msia is havin a blast man...must not lose face....hurry, me gots the stash ready....
Alex
7:17 PM
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
lapses of concentration
watching mindless videos on you tube
wondering whats for dinner
reading bout Michael J Fox
reading bout Reese Witherspoon
drinking lots of water
peeing lots of water
Staring at the stars
gazing out the window
checking out the neighbour's......
(man, thats a nice car)
listening to "relaxing" music
fiddling with fingers (cough cough)
playing chess with brother
laughing at his naivety
watch "some" TV
chatting with po po bout Malaysia
writing stupid entries in blog
Every damn thing except STUDYING!!!
let the exams begin ......
Alex
1:29 PM
