Saturday, March 15, 2014

Life in Zenzibar - The People

There were many negative comments after I started working in Zenzibar as a part time waitress, well, many people called it as bar girl at times. 
The negative comments were from my college friends, my family, my clubbing friends, etc...and I heard the comments, yet I insisted on my own decision.
I clearly understood that there were options and I have got a better alternative.
When I insisted on this,obviously I had my own reasons that did not require anyone's approval for it. Perhaps I could hardly explain the reasons verbally in front of all my friends and family at that time when their minds had already been occupied by all the negativity and reluctant to listen to me.
I guess, there were plenty of them out there were really curious on why I worked in Zenzibar.Now, I could give you a better idea on why I was doing it so insistently.

Of course, we worked because of money. This is the first thing I thought of but not my main focus.
I need friends, I need contacts, I need different opinions, I need better PR skills.
I want to explore and experience a complete different life.
The outcome was real satisfying. I never regret on making this decision in my life.
First time in my life, I felt something in there could change the rest of my life.

I learnt something from the people in Zenzibar.
First of all,Samantha, I noticed what she did for her bar,and I was seriously touched.
She showed me her dedication,perseverance,and determination. 
She did not give up even sales drop awfully when upper penang road was replaced by another happening place. Kept looking for something to improve and working harder to build strong relationships with customers.
I even dreamt that I could be her one day in future, doing the same thing on my own business.

Second, Yvonne, I heard about her story from a friend, although I did not listen on her own version,but I respect her deeply from heart. She had gone through a real difficult time in her life earlier on. I would not share the story as it involved her privacy. May be it's just a rumour after all but if it's true, I would say she's the one I truly respect.
Although she seemed unfriendly, in cantonese, we said 'cool'. However,it's not what I saw from her. I noticed that she's a soft-hearted person. More emotional and more sentimental. She has her own way of caring that she did not say it often. She proved it when something happened on the person she cared.

Third, Sim, she's someone who values friends alot. Helpful and supportive. When she knew that my boyfriend was not doing well, at the point of dilemma, she offered her help,although it's not a help for long term but we appreciated it.

Fourth, Ling, her story was kind of dramatic, exactly like a roller-coastal. I quarreled with her before, and we made up on the same night. I understood that money to her is very big. She got to take care of her children and pay her loans. To me, even without sales, I could still survive as I did not have any commitment at that time. My main worry was that I got no money in bank for my Hong Kong trip when I had already bought the air ticket. Kind of fucked-up that time. And her story gave me motivation to maintain a strong will of survival. Someone like her, despite having so many bad experience in marriage, she is still surviving and doing well now. Although she depressed and intended to end her life before, but i believed it was a normal reaction for a woman having that kind of destiny. It was not easy to push the negativity away sometimes.

Fifth, May, She's an independent lady. She shared her experience when she's giving birth to her babies. I think I should learn from her. Be calm and independent. and I learnt that divorce is not that bad as we thought, we always have an option to free ourselves when marriage goes wrong. Just be positive,independent, and confident. Sixth,Summer, she's always being so friendly and nice that no one could resist her. Just like her name, Summer, full of sunlight and warm. If you stay next to her,you'd probably forget the word 'Lonely'. Her positive energy was spreading to everyone around her. It was something very important to me, something that I must learn from her. Her care, her smile, her positivity, If you know her,I'm sure you'll never forget. You would start thinking if this girl never experience bad things in life, but I tell you, No. She did have, and she went through it. Feel sorry that I couldn't share it as it involved her privacy too.

There was another girl who only worked for a short time in Zenzibar. Sorry for not disclosing her name as i do not wish people know who she is.  She had a difficult time when met her in Zenzibar. Domestic violence, something scary for female.
I never know so many people experience this in Zenzibar. She's not the only one.
I was a victim too. and I was not alone. Her case was worse. I was single and available when I met her and she was going through what I experienced before. I found that she was quite positive in dealing with this matter. May be i should say Love is Blind. We endured the pain just because of love, something divine in our minds. 

Most of the people working in Zenzibar has his/her own dramatic stories. The stories were not that kind of story like: Went to primary school, high school, and then graduated in university/college. 
All the stories were full of tears. Very tough and difficult ones. 

p/s: Excuse me for not able to share more and elaborate more on those stories as i think it is quite rude to share others' privacy.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Life in Zenzibar - 1st day at work

This is a place where all kind of men and ladies dropping by for drinks, to have fun, to do crazy thing, or stay extremely quiet alone, et cetera.

My first day at work was a real embarrassing night to me.
I did not know how to refuse customers for unwilling to entertain them for drinks at all. Just keep entertaining until i got tipsy.

Did not know where is the limit to get totally black out.
Hence, continue to DRINK!!!

What did i have for my first night in Zenzi? 
Beer - oh, it's just like the water in the house,no way to skip
Stout - oh, it's just like the coffee in the house
Cocktail - oh, it's just like the fruit juice!
Tequila - oh no, i never know it tastes like shit until i threw it all out...

My first working night was ended by holding an empty bucket inside the bar. Did i look miserable? yes, i definitely did.

I club all the time before started to work but i never got drunk like this. It was because my purpose to go club is to get along with my friends, get to know new friends, I was not going to drink as much as i can.

However, working is different, too many people asking me to drink,
I couldn't just entertain ALL of them.
This is the lesson I got from my first f* up night.

Lesson learnt. 
I know what I must do next time - just say NO
and follow with many excuses... =P

Monday, August 13, 2012

Life in Zenzibar - Prologue

Life in Zenzi bar - this title is not the first time being used by people.
As it's been used in my friends' Facebook album's name before.
You could see why Zenzi is so special and brings so many memories to people - not only to the customers,but to employees as well.
I still remember the day I passed by Zenzi and met a friend, she told me that Zenzi was looking for waitress and she said the lady bosses are very nice.
So I gave myself a try to walk-in for an interview. 

Story begins with:
After the broke up, I was kind of broke as well. 
All my money was gone to a beauty salon due to my face was full of ugly,disgusting,irritating pimples.
I went party with friends every weekend, going around the clubs at upper penang road to meet hi-bye friends,drinking friends,old friends, and make new friends.
I was thinking to have a part time job after being a party animal for few months.
Guess it was the right time to start a new job, to save some money for myself instead of playing around without earning any pocket money to spend.
Since every weekend I came to the same place and stay awake until 4-5am, a part time job at night was Okay to me.
And then, I met my lady boss for the interview. I said I would like to build up my social network and improve my public relation. Her answer was: okay, it's good to work here as you have many chances to talk to customers and improve your public relation. Sales are depending on your effort and the commission is personal, work less = earn less. 
My though: hmm, alright,fair enough which means if I don't want to earn more, I don't need to force myself to earn more. I can still focus on my learning and experience.
I accepted the job very soon but did not start to work right away. 
After a couples of months later,finally I started a wonderful journey in Zenzibar. 

- To be Continued -

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Time Flies

Dear readers,


Realized that my last post was posted in last year December 2011, and let's see the date now, it's already July 2012.


Time flies.


I am really having a hectic life after I left my previous company, Agilent.


How I wish I could have more time for myself to update my blogs, to read some books that I bought but no time to read at all, to practice my piano, to hang out/party with friends, to drink with my colleagues, etc.


So many things that I wish to do, the only problem is NO TIME.


Guess it's time for me to think, to consider, to plan, and to decide.
I have been working real hard for the past 1 year. Should I take a good rest? 


I am real exhausted to have so many jobs, 1 full time job and 1 part time job + other part time jobs.
I never wanted to quit, I just need a long holiday instead. 
But who allows me to do that?


For the past 6 months, time just flies without my notice. 
Next month will be my second Anniversary with my love one.
And we will be celebrating his 33rd birthday and my 25th birthday.

Last year we went Hatyai for our 1st Anniversary, and I couldn't believe that it's so fast we've come to another year that we are going to celebrate the memorable day of our love,again. 
Looking forward to our Singapore trip to Sentosa next month.
Wish it is sweet, fun, happy, and exciting.

As for the plan to let go my part time jobs, I will need to take some time to think and decide seriously.
Hopefully my final decision will not be dragged too long.


Later on, I will share my life in Zenzi bar - a homing place which keeping so much of my good memories, a place which I can hardly abandon from my heart.
Although I miss the place and everyone I met, no matter how I never wanted to let go,
when the time has come, there are voices keep asking me to let go.
Stay tune, I will tell you why I can hardly leave this place. 


- To be continued -

Thursday, December 22, 2011

My Grown-up Christmas List



Another song to share this Christmas that I find it very meaningful by Kelly Clarkson.
 

Do you remember me?
I sat upon your knee,
I wrote to you,
With childhood fantasies...

Well, I'm all grown up now,
And still need help somehow..
I'm not a child,
But my heart still can dream...

So here's my lifelong wish,
My grown up Christmas list,
Not for myself,
But for a world in need...

*No more lives torn apart,
That wars would never start,
And time would heal all hearts,
And everyone would have a friend,
And right would always win,
And love would never end,
This is my grown up Christmas list.

As children we believed,
The grandest sight to see,
Was something lovely
Wrapped beneath our tree...

Well, heaven only knows,
That packages and bows,
Can never heal
A hurting human soul...  [repeat *]

What is this illusion called the innocence of youth? Maybe only in our blind belief can we ever find the truth..
(there'd be)

[repeat *]

Enjoy the song and Have a joyful Christmas!!

Fill your heart with Love this Christmas


Where are you Christmas by Faith Hill

This is my favourite Christmas song that I wanna share with all my dearest friends and family this Christmas.
A song from the film "The Grinch" acted by Jim Carrey.
The story line is talking about the Grinch stole Christmas and spoilt the whole Christmas.
 

When i was small, my Christmas used to be happening every year.
We had Christmas carol band in my garden, a tall Christmas tree that built and decorated together with my sisters and mom, Christmas gifts placed under the Christmas tree, a Santa Claus who really look like the real one.
We had buffet dinner, neighbours, cousins, and friends celebrating Christmas at my house.
And when i grow up, Christmas seems not so fun, no Christmas carol band, no party, no buffet, no Christmas tree, no gift....
 

Listen the song, and I can find the same emptiness feeling in my heart. Where are you,Christmas?

"Where are you Christmas? Why can't I find you?
Why have you gone away?
Where is the laughter you used to bring me?
Why can't I hear music play?
My world is changing, i'm rearranging, does that mean Christmas changes too?"

And this year, my Christmas is totally changed. I'll be busy working. No time to enjoy and have fun. Although I don't get the chance to celebrate this Christmas, I still wish to see all my friends and family could spend their precious holiday with their love ones to enjoy and have some fun. Most important one, is to fill everyone's heart with Love.

So, don't forget to buy your Christmas gifts and cards, seek for the forgiveness from those you've hurt for what you've done wrong and feel sorry to them.
Christmas is a season of love and forgiveness. Every heart should be filled with love.

Merry Christmas!!

Monday, December 12, 2011

Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others

I began learning this long time ago,those who are happiest are those who do the most for others. - Booker T. Washington

This is a quote which inspires me a lot. And the sharing today will be a day with Great Eastern people to do a small good deed for the poor kids at
Yee Ran Jing Sheh Handicapped Children's Home.

The daily supplies are given by the Great Eastern people and other volunteers for the disable orphans.

When we were heading towards the door to see the children, stinking smell and groaning sound made us uneasy and frowned.

I familiar with the smell, I had been nursing my nanny after her stroke before she passed away. But I wasn't not sure what caused the groaning and it didn't seem come from a human.

And then I found out the groaning came from the children who got tied by the fabric strings.

Different from the Spastic's children, they are disables and they don't have parents.
I don't know the reason behind and I don't want to make any judgement, simply by what I see, I notice that most of the children are Chinese.

The activities of the day was to feed the children for their lunch, dance and sing with them, talk to them and cheer them up.

If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one. - Mother Theresa

I never feed a person like this before: He is not able to sit and eat but used to lie on the floor and eat. I was struggling to feed him well (the pink color shirt's kid in the second photo above). As this is my first time, so i took a long time to just feed 1 kid. It reminds me of the quote from Mother Theresa.

The lady in floral shirt is smart, active, and helpful. I should compliment her as she did a great job to be a good helper in the center. She works well with the staff there to serve food and do cleaning stuff. During the dancing and singing session, her movement was so much better than me, dance well and sing well, whereas another boy next to her loves to take photo. Whenever he saw the camera, he would look at the camera and show the "Victory" sign in front of the camera.

20% of the orphans are not children, just like the one behind me.

well,the middle one was a little hyper,can see it in the photo.

They are all lonely and need care from the society. If only you could spend a little bit of your time to sing,dance,talk with them, you have already done a great part, it's a big contribution to the society. It's not about the number of persons you can help, it's about the sincere heart which is willing to do a good deed that matters. Just remember that, good deed is never lost.