The Grass Is Always GREENer On This Side
Well, everything that begins will end someday. In a blink of an eye, I've completed Part I of this GREEN programme. After one week of break, I'll be continuing Part II, which is the practical training in a GLC compny.
It seems that time flown too fast to comprehend life underneath it. 2 ½ months was a VERY short stint. We haven’t really enjoyed everything, do everything, and feel everything. But we have to move on. *sigh*
Okay enough with my antics. I think a lot of you still do not know what was all this GREEN stuff, and why did I joined it. I never made a specific entry on this, so I guess it is time to write it to clarify things.
GREEN stands for Graduate Employability Enhancement Programme, endorsed by Khazanah Nasional Berhad, and conducted by the fascilitators of Irshad HR Consulting Sdn Bhd. The main objective is to increase the chance and the probability of graduates to get a job, although not promising the job itself. It opens to a degree holder with a certain range of age, and supposedly for fresh graduates who were jobless for at least 6 months. We were the 4th Batch, with the 5th (rumours said that this is the last one) will start on this November. This programme almost similar to INSEP that I joined last year, except that:
1) It has twice the allowance of INSEP. You calculated that yourself.
2) It takes 1 year versus INSEP of 6 months of courses.
3) Unlike INSEP which is specialized to specific courses, everyone learns the same 13 modules in GREEN.
4) Hostel and foods are provided during Part I (although some of the allowance had to be cut).
5) Activities are held almost EVERY week and we, somehow in some ways, have to manage it.
Mama and Abah were the ones who ‘promoted’ me into entering this programme, in hoping that I could work in a ‘Government-Linked-Company’. I was at GRB at that time. They asked me to fill the online form at the Khazanah website, just in case if I was lucky. I was thinking, “Why not?” so I filled it. I thought that I wasn’t really ready for the real, working environment just yet, and I kinda missed the ‘classroom’ surroundings. Yup, you got that. I remembered clearly during my second extension year of UTHM. I chatted with my friends about their working life, and they said that they would rather be back in classroom as the mood, the feelings, was so different. I said “pejadah, org kalau bleh nak cpt blah dari U, dah bosan dah nak blajar…nak keje pulak dapat gak duit…”...haha I ate my own words. In fact, I told this reason during my interview for the programme. I thought that everyone qualifies; the interview was just a formality IMHO.
So exactly I checked in on the 31st May, one day after my last official day at GRB. The hostel was at Kompleks Darul Puteri, Cheras, in front of Flat Seri Sabah, almost near the Maluri RapidKL Station and the Stadium Badminton Cheras. Approximately there were 250 participants, and each of them was divided into 8 groups, or better, companies. I’ve been grouped with the guys and girls of Group 5, 32 people in total, eventually known as Sigma Corporation after some brainstorming sessions. The logo was a bit of my idea, so I’m proud to get to contribute something. Koley, our ‘drawer’, did the rest of the design. Our company was more on handling travelling and tours. For the rest of the company, here it is, together with its logo and their activities.
(*) This was a very special activity which was held every weekend, either Saturday or Sunday until the end of the part I of GREEN programme.
Each of the above activities were handled by the respective companies, and also helped by committee members from other companies as well.
For the classes, each module will last for 2 days, and there are about 2-3 modules per week, although there is also one module per week. The rest of the day will be filled with Business English or some kind of other official activities. There will be pre-test and post-test for each of the modules. And of course, there will be tons of in-class presentations and assignments. The 13 modules taught were: Developing Personal Success, Business & Financial Appreciation, Customer Service, Effective Time Management, Interpersonal Communication, Negotiation Skills, Office Management, Operations Management, Personal Grooming and Social Etiquette, Presentation Skills, Problem Solving, Project Planning and Coordination, and finally, Business English (CEFL). However, to officially acquire the coveted Khazanah certificate, some other criteria also need to be completed, which includes: Orientation, Team building, Community Services and Values Programme.
So, come back to the original paragraph, I’ve completed the 1st part of the programme, and so, I am leaving Darul Puteri, and all the GREENians, specifically, My Sigma Corporation’s ‘staff mates’. And I’m going to miss them all.
The ending speech will always be the most emotional part in any final gatherings, although I had to control that a bit. We had gone to Times Square and Mamak’s stall together and enjoyed our meal. We could have gone to karaoke and bowling and possible movies, but we had a very limited time to do anything, especially for the fact that the checkout day was only 3 days after the Retro Night Dinner, which our company handled. Nevertheless, the more I think about it, the more I felt this ‘gloomy’ feeling. I wished that this programme was even longer. I am regretting of not to get to know my friends even deeper, although the nicest thing was, I thought I’ve got easily assimilated with them early on, especially with the girls. They were the one who made me very comfortable, and even more, I’ve got to see some ‘templates’ of girls that I like, haha. (I did mention names. I'm not gonna said it again here. But someone asked me again in SMS, so I mentioned about 7 names that had some nice criteria). However, being a shy guy like the usual, I didn’t not attempt any ‘move’ whatsoever. So I am still who I am what I am for the past 26 years. *sigh*.
But, I’m proud and glad to enter this GREEN programme. It’s my fate to be there, and even better, be part of Sigma Corp. By looking and observing each and every unique characteristics of individuals here, I am able to define myself better.
I didn't upload my GREEN photo collections at Picasa or whatever, as it was too much, (UPDATE: I've uploaded all of it finally here) so I just show some of what I've been through here (not in chronological order):
See? The shy guy in front of the camera in the Telematch activity, with Kak Niza & Faizah, while Tnie was snapping our shots. We were entering the 'Banana-what-the-heck-you-call-it' activity where we have to jab the toothpick to the hanged banana using only our teeth.
After 'The Amazing Race' around Darul Puteri, we had collected enough materials to make our own flower decoration. We were also the first to reach the hall (but we didn't win the competition).
This was my very 1st presentation, the 'Office Management' module taught by Mr Razali. Ms. Nurul & Ms. Tnie were the girls above. I was still wearing my INSEP jacket that time, until later on during Business Appreciaton module if not mistaken, someone told me that I looked better without it. So I stopped wearing it right after that.
During 'Problem Solving' module, I thought that I'd created more problems than solving it!
LMT v2.0. huhu (",). This was during Musical Day rehearsal.
I handled the Technical part for my group's Musical Day performance, helped by Ms. Bedah (seated) & Ms. Imah. Bro Wan (actually, he's younger than me, and rumours said that he already married!) was the Darul Puteri's technician.
The guys and gals that did the 'Spongebob' acting and dancing scene during Musical Day. We've got 4th place, which I thought was okay. Great!
Emm, can I upload this? I thought the kids were already 'concealed' enough, so I believed it's okay. Being the head of CSR, I had to visited each of the floor every time to see the progress. Here, 'The Mummy Returns' was one of our activity at Nur Salam, Chow Kit. Other activities include Paper Tearing & Snakes and Ladders. The gal shown here was Ms. Iza. I kinda like one of her long term vision involving kids, so I think this activity suited her very well.
Azura (middle) was the 1st from Sigma to leave us to become KPLI teacher, so this was basically a Farewell photos. Good Luck to her.
THIS IS NOT SIGMA CORP! During teambuilding at Genting Resort Hill, we had been redivided into different groups, mixture of other companies. Introducing Zoidberg (group name by Mr Nik, sat at middle), our 'crappy' crabby antics won us 3rd place overall, after enduring all those hardships for 3 days. Pup pup pup Crab Can Grab!
Inspector Luthfi (my right, your left) was the 2nd person to leave, joining the Police squad. He made a bit of 'kenduris' to feeds our monstrous appetite. He's Sigma's first in-class couple declaration with Ms. Suhaiza (at his right). hehehe.
Arghh! nervous! This was a couple of minutes before I had to make my public speaking, representing Sigma Corp on the preliminary round part I. Ms. Fadhilah (Yellow scarf, making peace on my head) was also presenting that day. Of course, none of us (including the 2nd day participants) qualified for the final round :p. I think I'll upload my public speaking clip here when I had time.
Ehem2...WARNING, excessive boredom ahead...My losing speech about keeping your videos short and sweet, 3 minutes max. Can it be done?
We were having some fun, training for our futsal competition on the forthcoming Sports day. Unluckily, I had to pull out as I had my INSEP convocation that weekend. If I was there, surely we could go on straight to the finals (bajet skill abes)..
We also had our training session at the futsal court itself. We were looking forward to glory. Ms. Ain (next to me) was the 3rd to leave after getting her PTD.
The guys were treating me with chocolate sponge cake for my 'belated' birthday. Awww, I really couldn't thank enough all of you, and I never even expected this. Ms. Seena, Mr. Ise and Mr. Zul were anxiously looking for my 1st munch.
I thought I was the only one with this hobby. Apparently, Ms. Lina, the cameragirl has even more sophisticated miniDVD video camera. Grrr, maybe I had to wait another 5 years to get a cam like her.
A photo with Mr. Shukri, fascilitator of 'Customer Service' module. This was our LAST module with Sigma Corp together in class. The next will be English, which each of us were seperated into our own tiers. sob sob ;(
We were on our official Dinner rehearsal at Prince Hotel. These '3 dara pingitan' were Seena, Jun & Lina huhu..
I save the best for last. A company photo of Sigma Corporation.
TOP LEFT: Pali, Zul, Koley, Asri I, Bob, Asri Y, Ise, (guess), Sofri, Azami. MID LEFT: Seena, Sue CI, Lina, Yati, Iza, Ida, Wanie, Bedah, Maz, Tnie, Nurul. BOTTOM LEFT: Siti, Imah, Dayah, Ain, Jun, Sue I, Niza, Ina, Faizah.
It seems that time flown too fast to comprehend life underneath it. 2 ½ months was a VERY short stint. We haven’t really enjoyed everything, do everything, and feel everything. But we have to move on. *sigh*
Okay enough with my antics. I think a lot of you still do not know what was all this GREEN stuff, and why did I joined it. I never made a specific entry on this, so I guess it is time to write it to clarify things.
GREEN stands for Graduate Employability Enhancement Programme, endorsed by Khazanah Nasional Berhad, and conducted by the fascilitators of Irshad HR Consulting Sdn Bhd. The main objective is to increase the chance and the probability of graduates to get a job, although not promising the job itself. It opens to a degree holder with a certain range of age, and supposedly for fresh graduates who were jobless for at least 6 months. We were the 4th Batch, with the 5th (rumours said that this is the last one) will start on this November. This programme almost similar to INSEP that I joined last year, except that:
1) It has twice the allowance of INSEP. You calculated that yourself.
2) It takes 1 year versus INSEP of 6 months of courses.
3) Unlike INSEP which is specialized to specific courses, everyone learns the same 13 modules in GREEN.
4) Hostel and foods are provided during Part I (although some of the allowance had to be cut).
5) Activities are held almost EVERY week and we, somehow in some ways, have to manage it.
Mama and Abah were the ones who ‘promoted’ me into entering this programme, in hoping that I could work in a ‘Government-Linked-Company’. I was at GRB at that time. They asked me to fill the online form at the Khazanah website, just in case if I was lucky. I was thinking, “Why not?” so I filled it. I thought that I wasn’t really ready for the real, working environment just yet, and I kinda missed the ‘classroom’ surroundings. Yup, you got that. I remembered clearly during my second extension year of UTHM. I chatted with my friends about their working life, and they said that they would rather be back in classroom as the mood, the feelings, was so different. I said “pejadah, org kalau bleh nak cpt blah dari U, dah bosan dah nak blajar…nak keje pulak dapat gak duit…”...haha I ate my own words. In fact, I told this reason during my interview for the programme. I thought that everyone qualifies; the interview was just a formality IMHO.
So exactly I checked in on the 31st May, one day after my last official day at GRB. The hostel was at Kompleks Darul Puteri, Cheras, in front of Flat Seri Sabah, almost near the Maluri RapidKL Station and the Stadium Badminton Cheras. Approximately there were 250 participants, and each of them was divided into 8 groups, or better, companies. I’ve been grouped with the guys and girls of Group 5, 32 people in total, eventually known as Sigma Corporation after some brainstorming sessions. The logo was a bit of my idea, so I’m proud to get to contribute something. Koley, our ‘drawer’, did the rest of the design. Our company was more on handling travelling and tours. For the rest of the company, here it is, together with its logo and their activities.
Group 1 – Amphibious Telecommunications : Public Speaking (8th – 10th July 2008)
Group 2 – Synergy Green : Sports Day (19th July 2008)
Group 3 – Greenity Travels & Tours : Motivational Camp (2nd August 2008)
Group 4 – Warcreavers Consultant : Musical Day (27th June 2008)
Group 5 – Sigma Corporation : Retro Night Dinner (6th August 2008)
Group 6 – Golden Synergy Corporation: Team Building (2nd – 4th July 2008)
Group 7 – Paradigm Holdings Sdn Bhd: Visit to Nur Salam at Chow Kitt Road (*)
Group 8 – 8 Empire Corporation : Tele-match (21st June 2008)
Group 2 – Synergy Green : Sports Day (19th July 2008)
Group 3 – Greenity Travels & Tours : Motivational Camp (2nd August 2008)
Group 4 – Warcreavers Consultant : Musical Day (27th June 2008)
Group 5 – Sigma Corporation : Retro Night Dinner (6th August 2008)
Group 6 – Golden Synergy Corporation: Team Building (2nd – 4th July 2008)
Group 7 – Paradigm Holdings Sdn Bhd: Visit to Nur Salam at Chow Kitt Road (*)
Group 8 – 8 Empire Corporation : Tele-match (21st June 2008)
(*) This was a very special activity which was held every weekend, either Saturday or Sunday until the end of the part I of GREEN programme.
Each of the above activities were handled by the respective companies, and also helped by committee members from other companies as well.
For the classes, each module will last for 2 days, and there are about 2-3 modules per week, although there is also one module per week. The rest of the day will be filled with Business English or some kind of other official activities. There will be pre-test and post-test for each of the modules. And of course, there will be tons of in-class presentations and assignments. The 13 modules taught were: Developing Personal Success, Business & Financial Appreciation, Customer Service, Effective Time Management, Interpersonal Communication, Negotiation Skills, Office Management, Operations Management, Personal Grooming and Social Etiquette, Presentation Skills, Problem Solving, Project Planning and Coordination, and finally, Business English (CEFL). However, to officially acquire the coveted Khazanah certificate, some other criteria also need to be completed, which includes: Orientation, Team building, Community Services and Values Programme.
So, come back to the original paragraph, I’ve completed the 1st part of the programme, and so, I am leaving Darul Puteri, and all the GREENians, specifically, My Sigma Corporation’s ‘staff mates’. And I’m going to miss them all.
The ending speech will always be the most emotional part in any final gatherings, although I had to control that a bit. We had gone to Times Square and Mamak’s stall together and enjoyed our meal. We could have gone to karaoke and bowling and possible movies, but we had a very limited time to do anything, especially for the fact that the checkout day was only 3 days after the Retro Night Dinner, which our company handled. Nevertheless, the more I think about it, the more I felt this ‘gloomy’ feeling. I wished that this programme was even longer. I am regretting of not to get to know my friends even deeper, although the nicest thing was, I thought I’ve got easily assimilated with them early on, especially with the girls. They were the one who made me very comfortable, and even more, I’ve got to see some ‘templates’ of girls that I like, haha. (I did mention names. I'm not gonna said it again here. But someone asked me again in SMS, so I mentioned about 7 names that had some nice criteria). However, being a shy guy like the usual, I didn’t not attempt any ‘move’ whatsoever. So I am still who I am what I am for the past 26 years. *sigh*.
But, I’m proud and glad to enter this GREEN programme. It’s my fate to be there, and even better, be part of Sigma Corp. By looking and observing each and every unique characteristics of individuals here, I am able to define myself better.
See? The shy guy in front of the camera in the Telematch activity, with Kak Niza & Faizah, while Tnie was snapping our shots. We were entering the 'Banana-what-the-heck-you-call-it' activity where we have to jab the toothpick to the hanged banana using only our teeth.After 'The Amazing Race' around Darul Puteri, we had collected enough materials to make our own flower decoration. We were also the first to reach the hall (but we didn't win the competition).This was my very 1st presentation, the 'Office Management' module taught by Mr Razali. Ms. Nurul & Ms. Tnie were the girls above. I was still wearing my INSEP jacket that time, until later on during Business Appreciaton module if not mistaken, someone told me that I looked better without it. So I stopped wearing it right after that.During 'Problem Solving' module, I thought that I'd created more problems than solving it!LMT v2.0. huhu (",). This was during Musical Day rehearsal.I handled the Technical part for my group's Musical Day performance, helped by Ms. Bedah (seated) & Ms. Imah. Bro Wan (actually, he's younger than me, and rumours said that he already married!) was the Darul Puteri's technician.The guys and gals that did the 'Spongebob' acting and dancing scene during Musical Day. We've got 4th place, which I thought was okay. Great!Emm, can I upload this? I thought the kids were already 'concealed' enough, so I believed it's okay. Being the head of CSR, I had to visited each of the floor every time to see the progress. Here, 'The Mummy Returns' was one of our activity at Nur Salam, Chow Kit. Other activities include Paper Tearing & Snakes and Ladders. The gal shown here was Ms. Iza. I kinda like one of her long term vision involving kids, so I think this activity suited her very well.Azura (middle) was the 1st from Sigma to leave us to become KPLI teacher, so this was basically a Farewell photos. Good Luck to her.THIS IS NOT SIGMA CORP! During teambuilding at Genting Resort Hill, we had been redivided into different groups, mixture of other companies. Introducing Zoidberg (group name by Mr Nik, sat at middle), our 'crappy' crabby antics won us 3rd place overall, after enduring all those hardships for 3 days. Pup pup pup Crab Can Grab!Inspector Luthfi (my right, your left) was the 2nd person to leave, joining the Police squad. He made a bit of 'kenduris' to feeds our monstrous appetite. He's Sigma's first in-class couple declaration with Ms. Suhaiza (at his right). hehehe.Arghh! nervous! This was a couple of minutes before I had to make my public speaking, representing Sigma Corp on the preliminary round part I. Ms. Fadhilah (Yellow scarf, making peace on my head) was also presenting that day. Of course, none of us (including the 2nd day participants) qualified for the final round :p. I think I'll upload my public speaking clip here when I had time.Ehem2...WARNING, excessive boredom ahead...My losing speech about keeping your videos short and sweet, 3 minutes max. Can it be done?
We were having some fun, training for our futsal competition on the forthcoming Sports day. Unluckily, I had to pull out as I had my INSEP convocation that weekend. If I was there, surely we could go on straight to the finals (bajet skill abes)..We also had our training session at the futsal court itself. We were looking forward to glory. Ms. Ain (next to me) was the 3rd to leave after getting her PTD.The guys were treating me with chocolate sponge cake for my 'belated' birthday. Awww, I really couldn't thank enough all of you, and I never even expected this. Ms. Seena, Mr. Ise and Mr. Zul were anxiously looking for my 1st munch.I thought I was the only one with this hobby. Apparently, Ms. Lina, the cameragirl has even more sophisticated miniDVD video camera. Grrr, maybe I had to wait another 5 years to get a cam like her.A photo with Mr. Shukri, fascilitator of 'Customer Service' module. This was our LAST module with Sigma Corp together in class. The next will be English, which each of us were seperated into our own tiers. sob sob ;(We were on our official Dinner rehearsal at Prince Hotel. These '3 dara pingitan' were Seena, Jun & Lina huhu..I save the best for last. A company photo of Sigma Corporation. TOP LEFT: Pali, Zul, Koley, Asri I, Bob, Asri Y, Ise, (guess), Sofri, Azami. MID LEFT: Seena, Sue CI, Lina, Yati, Iza, Ida, Wanie, Bedah, Maz, Tnie, Nurul. BOTTOM LEFT: Siti, Imah, Dayah, Ain, Jun, Sue I, Niza, Ina, Faizah.
