The Weirdest Payment Schedule Ever!

This morning, while having breakfast, I went through a draft contract from our client. Flipping through the pages, everything seemed fine. No discrepancies from our earlier agreement.

When I reached the Payment Schedule page and started to scrutinise the proposed schedule of payment, I almost choked on my beef risoles.

Kontrak apaan ini?

I read through the payment schedule again and again. I was not halucinating. The words were correct.

I don't think I'd be able to meet their demand. I'd have to send my staff to claim the 3rd and 4th payment.

We are the "Pihak Kedua". For the 3rd payment, I'd suggest my staff to take Viagra. But not for the 4th payment. Taking Viagra might cause further delay in getting our money.

I Don't Need Your Assistance, Thank You.

One of the things I like about Indonesia is the politeness of the sales promoter or shop assistants. From the high-end super malls like Grand Indonesia to the modest shop lots in ITC Kuningan, you'd find that the sales promoters are very attentive, ever willing to serve you and most importantly polite.

But of course, there are some bad apples among them but as far as I'm concerned, its rare.

Here in Indonesia, you can try on clothes without the unecessary pressure to purchase them rightafter. You can simply walk out the store without being verbally hurled at by the shop assistant.

That only happens in Malaysia.

Go and try on a few clothes in a shop in KL and you'd either find the sales promoter putting on the ugliest frown you've ever seen or worse, they'd make some nasty remarks. But before that, they'd trail you all over the shop as though you're a potential shoplifter.

That's why I love window shopping in Jakarta. The key phrase here is window shopping because heyy... I don't get paid thousands of USD a month ok.

But then, there are times when you feel intimidated by the presence of a sales promoter next to you. One good example is when buying your underwear.

I was in Sogo recently in the men's undies section. As usual, my mind gets confused when presented with a lot of choice before me.

Shall it be cotton or lycra? Or combination of lycra and cotton? Or modal? What the hell is modal? (but it feels strangely nice)... Sports brief or just brief? Boxer brief or plain boxer? Or maybe tanga... but wait, there's contour brief.. hmmm.

While the above was running through my head, a sales promoter was all the while standing a couple of feet away watching me.

Pehal la minah ni. I can manage to choose my own underwear, thank you. Really, you don't have to stand there waiting for me to seek for your assistance.

Besides, what am I supposed to ask her? Is lycra or cotton more comfortable for the family jewels? Or, would she be able to answer which type of undies would best suit a particular "parking" orientation? Kannn......

For you ladies out there, just imagine if a male sales promoter is stationed at the bra section, wouldn't you feel intimidated? I don't think the male sales promoter would be able to provide any help on questions related to bra, unless he is a drag queen by night.

In the end, I politely told the sales promoter that I do not need her assistance. And she left me alone.

Heyy... when it comes to a crucial thing such as choosing the right underwear, I need a clear mind to help in the decision making ok.

Gue Sibuk Banget

Dah bersawang blog aku ni yes??

My schedule has been super duper hectic the past couple of weeks. Bertambah uban kat kepala aku nih.

Ok. A bit of updates. The CFO and the head of internal audit from HQ were in Jakarta recently. In short, the CFO has instructed to extend my stay in Jakarta until end January 2009.

My reaction? Mixed, to be honest. A part of me wants to go back to Malaysia but then there's also the feeling of wanting to stay. Confused betul le.

Why do I want to be back in KL? Well, on top of the list, I miss my family, terribly. When I was assigned to this post back in Jan 2006, I was told that I would only be here until 31st January 2008. That information had been programmed in me. Whatever nonsense and challenges I faced here, I would console myself by saying - toughen up, it won't be long before you go back.

Now, I have to do a bit of "re-programming". I have to endure the challenges, whatever they may be, in whatever form, for another eight months. BUT, I have to also prepare myself should my CFO decide to extend my assignment beyond January 2009.

Don't get me wrong. I don't hate living in Jakarta. I've grown fond of this megacity despite the glaring shortcomings it has compared to Kuala Lumpur. That's the other part of me that would be sad when the time comes for me to bid adieu to Jakarta.

Jamaluddin Mat, it is now confirmed that you and your entourage will have free accommodation in August. Lega tak?