SO MUCH RAGE... 7.50 is a three course meal, the ONE time I order something western with a drink, and it comes to 5 times the cost of my usual local meal. I know it's only 4 pounds for a panini and ice lemon tea, but its 21.50 RINGITT, thats like half my day's pay...

QUESTION (20 Points): Name the main filling in my panini? 10 Points for correct primary filling, 10 points for the vegetable component of the filling.

Since the last blog post a lot has happened, we have moved office twice, once to a University here and now to our new company headquarters.

For those of you who want to know what kind of work I was doing at the university, here is a picture that shows exactly what Ryan and I were up to.

I got very good with this, developed quite a transport route for usb flash disks between our desks.

For those who are genuinely curious, we used the helicopters to practice our robotics programming, so we were automating helicopter flight using our computer, I'll try to attach a video of this sometime in the future.

This was taken on the route from home to work, and it proves any rumours you may have heard of Malaysian driving.

This is my first home cooked meal ever in Malaysia, I have been eating out everyday. I figured it is about time I started cooking for myself. This was about 3 weeks ago, I haven't cooked again since... It is a local dish called Bihun(Bee Hoon) Goreng, which is simply fried bee hoon noodles, with vegetables and chicken, bog standard malaysian meal.

This is our shiny new office where we will continue to play with robots!

This is the lovely view I have out of my office window... I think I might actually prefer it to the city view of KL.

Oh and finally, that is our car, I will try get a video of it in action, if you are lucky, maybe I can capture it while the engine is cutting out, or the brakes give way, hopefully something equally exciting.

Sorry, I've not posted in a while, robotics work has been kicking off and I've been sleeping every spare minute I have these days...

To kick off my blog again, I have a photo of something which really amused me. Please bare in mind that people park illegally EVERYWHERE here in Malaysia, and that road rules really don't exist, so this photo was a really refreshing sight, and I could feel Malaysian justice flowing through me, just at the sight of it.

The owner was not happy at all... I was not the only one to take a photo, people from all over town came to have their photo taken with the car.

This is the beautiful Malaysian car Ryan and I are supposed to be getting tomorrow! I thought I had escaped the clutches of the Italian-made Fiat Panda, but noooo, instead I get the Malaysian-made equivalent... I'm expecting a panda missing a leg and a eye, and a highly irrational hate for bamboo... I shouldn't complain though, a car is a car.. or is it?

Question(20 Points): What is the brand and model of this car? (10 points for each part)

Who said students were messy!? Check out that beautiful desk, with custom made folder inserts and company hat! I even have an in and out tray! Question (10 Points): What is the document to the right of the folders(above the hat)?

Made my own Ice Lemon Tea! Turned out pretty damn well!!

Belated Blog Entry

Hello! Sorry for the ridiculously late entry, but for those who don't know I've had a pretty damn annoying back injury and a resit exam, because I suck at Engineering Dynamics. This doesn't mean I've been too busy to write a blog, it just means I've not been doing anything interesting! I didn't think it would be entertaining to read about my trips to the hospital and my revision sessions, but I shall include a TINY BIT of that kind of stuff for the weird people (parents) who care about my general well-being!

I'll try starting off from the beginning of the month, which is when I got paid! Well, I got paid late July, but who cares. I didn't have a bank account back then, because my visa was not processed (Malaysia is slow.) This means I got paid in cash!

Felt so cool to have this in my back pocket.

10 Points: How much money is there? Closest answer wins. Clue: Each wad is of equal size and comprised only of 50 Ringitt notes.

For those of you who think I'm showing off for the TONNES of money I'm making, please remember that this is in ringitts, and it's 5 ringitts to the pound, so before any of you accuse me of showing off my wealth, may I remind you I would make more money making and sell handcrafted fridge magnets in the UK. (I lack basic arts & crafts skills...)

Big event this month was when I went down to Singapore! I've actually been down 4 times now, once for my birthday which was a lot of fun. I took the coach down twice and flew down twice. Obviously the plane was much nicer, but it was 7x the price.

Turboprop engine! It's like being in the stone ages...

The plane was actually very comfortable and clean! I had almost no leg room, but that is pretty normal on most airplanes!

Look at all the people going down to Singapore for my birthday!

Question (10 Points): Artist and album name?

Bonus question (20 Points): What is my favourite song from this album?

Question (10 Points): Artist and album name?

Bonus question (20 Points): What is my favourite song from this album?

The plane had no on-board entertainment, but I did remember to bring my iPod, so I got to listen to my crappy mainstream music! 

After I got back to Malaysia it was back to studying for me, I tried to make it interesting and easy, here is my attempt at studying.

Yay, Dynamics! (Yes..I did make sure the taskbar didn't show any games loaded up)

This is the MRI scan of my spine, I couldn't get a closer photo of it to show what was actually wrong, because it was too dark. Basically, I have a herniated disc between my L5-S1 vertebrae, which is squashing a nerve, which I believe is called the sciatic nerve. This means I suffer from quite painful back aches, but also more painful ache down my leg.

I'm now back to work in the office, and everything is extremely normal, except for the birthday card from my lovely friends. Thank you Jerry, Jasper, Caryn, Kevin, Greg and Petra! :D (I followed the order on the card, this is not order of preference, don't get annoyed if you are at the bottom.)

Troublesome Two Weeks

Apologies for the lack of of updates over the last two weeks, it has been very difficult here! I seem to have got myself what everyone calls a "slipped disk, or a prolapsed disk. I'm not sure how I got it, but it means I can't really walk very well, and I can't lie down. Most of all it hurts A LOT to sneeze and cough. The main symptom to my slipped disk is Sciatica, which means that the disk has herniated and is squashing my sciatic nerve, in my right leg. This means I've been off work for a few days, and haven't really done much.

However, before my leg got really bad, Ryan and I went to a local university here, Universiti Tenaga Nasional. We went on our little business trip to meet a few robotics experts who are also lecturers at the University.

College of Engineering Reception

Ryan and I felt very jealous about their big reception, it was so much more welcoming than in Wolfson, no glass windows between the receptionist and the visitor, lots of seats to sit and wait, there are even potted plants. Wolfson has 4 chairs and a bunch of students handing coursework in...

 On Display in the Reception

I guess Wolfson does have one in the Cafe, well there is a Malaysian one here too. It gave Ryan and I extra peace of mind, because every engineering department needs to have a crappy formula student car on display, otherwise it isn't a real engineering department.

Oh something I saw as I was leaving the department... Wolfson NEEDS one.. the number of times I have stayed in late, and wanted to order food, but haven't had the cash on me... Every engineering student knows how annoying it is, because its a whole 10 minute walk to the nearest... ATM!!! I could be spending that 10 minutes pretending to revise!

ATM.. in the department!

Question 30 Points: Which bank does the ATM belong to and what does the name stand for?

Isn't it magnificent? I wanted to get closer to take a picture, but people were using it, and I didn't want to get arrested for taking photos of people using ATMs.. but you can still see it in this photo.

The trip was really cool, I didn't take any pictures of the robotics lab, because I thought that might be rude/prohibited. The guys we spoke to were extremely clever and knew everything about robots, Ryan and I felt kind of out of their league, as we know very little about robots. Give it a few more months, and we will be robot pros, I can start taking in orders for robot armies now if anyone is interested.

Office!

That is the view out of our office in the late afternoon sun, lots of construction.. not very pretty.

This is the view into our office with the late afternoon lethargy, very little work... not very pretty.
Question (10 Points): Who is on the left and who is on the right?

Awesome Apartment

Here are the photos of my apartment! I know some of you have been asking to see them, so here they are. This is how Ryan and I have been living it up for the past 2 weeks, and for the next YEAR!

Living room and Dining Area!

Kitchen Facility with Back Door to Washing Area

Bedroom and yes... I prepare my clothes for the next morning, because I am an organised working man now....

Question (10 points): What is the name of the instrument on my desk by the mirror?

Fairly plain bathroom, but I don't have to share! (Flatmate has an en-suite...)

Our OWN Washing and DRYING machines! Incredible to have in our flat.

So that is our flat! I forgot to take a picture of the view from the living room windows, because it is quite nice at night, I'll try take one for next time! It is past 9AM now, so I need to get back to work.

Be sure to check out my friend's, Glenn Cook, blog, for his latest entry describing his first week at work and other... not so "PG" events, explicit content, watch out.

This is the link to his latest entry: http://malaysiantownthrowdown.blogspot.com/2012/07/day-10-15-starting-work-how-other-half.html?showComment=1343203990029#c5970710799743548021

Glenn watching over KL, he says everything is in order...

I'm going to Singapore this weekend, and then going back the weekend of 18th August for a long public holiday weekend!

Question (10 points): Which Malaysian Public Holiday falls on that weekend of the 18th of August?

Tiring Two Weeks In

I am now starting my third week in Malaysia, after finishing my week induction at the university and my first week at work!

I had a great time at the induction week, getting to know the rest of the guys here in Malaysia was good fun.

This picture below was of our last night in the University of Malaysia, where we all decided to order a pizza, because everyone was afraid of turning Asian after all the rice that was consumed.

Englishmen Missing Their Loughborough Diet
Question (10 Points): Which film is being advertised on the Pizza Boxes?

The commute from work is getting tedious and frustrating, I think we were pretty lucky the first few days, but we have now experienced several flaws of the Malaysian public transport system.

First Part of the Commute to the Office

The first part of our commute is via the KTM Kommuter, this is possibly the Malaysian equivalent to the trains in UK heading to/from London. Ryan and I both agree that a "Kommuter" train should follow a tight schedule, and there is a time table available, but we have seen 3 trains come within 3 minutes, or 1 train over the hour. This makes getting to work quite an ordeal.

Rush Hour Monorail

The second part of our commute involves KL's monorail system. Whilst there are very nice views while traversing the city of KL in the monorail, it is quite hard to look out the windows with 1000 fellow commuters in your way.

Finally at work! Working hard!

The area I am living in is quite nice, there are 2 massive shopping centres and 1 slightly smaller one, all within 10 minutes wakling. We have a cinema, where we recently watched the new batman, which was very good. Most importantly there is possibly one of the greatest eateries on earth 200m from my flat.

Mmmmm... Subway...

For those who aren't aware, I consumed over 50 1ft subways in my 2nd year at Loughborough... It is a shame that 1 subway = 3 plates of sizzling chilli chicken noodles. Joking aside, I haven't been to subway.. honestly... stop laughing at my subway belly.

It has been a good two weeks, it was very exciting starting work and moving into our flat. The project is getting very hard, as robotics is far more complicated than anticipated. The amount of research we have done is insignificant to the amount we have left to do, and I fear it will stay like that for quite a few more weeks.

Thanks Ryan...

While it is very tough, we have  several research trips lined up with various robotics experts and university lecturers, so we should be robotics pros soon! If anyone is looking for a pet robot to do your washing and fold your towels, come to me in a year. 

10 points: I work in a 20 storey building. I work for Maser Quartzelec Services, which floor am I working on?

Officially an Office Worker!

I've just moved into my apartment! (pictures will be loaded up soon) I do not have an internet connection at home, and the local service providers can only provide a fibre optic connection to the flat in my apartment. However, these connections are for a 2 YEAR contract! The ONLY way Ryan and I can have internet at home, is if we sign up for a 2 YEAR contract, and cancel it after the year and pay a cancellation fee! Which seems outrageous, because we cannot be the only people who live on the 2nd from top floor of a condominium with squash courts and a swimming pool... and BBQ pits... and a massage parlour... that's about it I think... Oh we also have a washing machine and tumble dryer, which is just great. Anyway, it could take us about 2-3 weeks to get internet apparently, so this blog may be lacking over the next few weeks. As much as I would love to stay in the office late to write my blog I have cheap and delicious Malaysian food to eat, so I will not be doing that.

I need to get to work, as it is now 9am and that is when we start working. Oh Ryan and I are starting a new project for our company, it's a robotics project, don't really know what we are doing... neither of us know what robotics is, and we are kind of left on our own with it. Oh this gun' be good!

First Night Out in Kuala Lumpur!

At pre-drinks at a friend's house out in the suburbs.

                                           At the Havana Club along the Changkat strip    

Oli and Niall busting out sweet moves

Pretty standard clubbing scenario, just with old tourists...

Check out the blogs my friends have just set up in the list on the right!

Laminaworks is by my good friend Ben 'Success' Nabu, who will be teaching at Maz International School! He lives... an adventurous life, and his blog is entertaining!

Trip to Little India! It was packed!

30 points: Name the song that starts playing at the end of the video

10 points , 3 questions, answer all three correctly:
1.Brand?
2. Real or fake?
3. Flip flop (shoe) size? (First correct or closest at the end of July wins)

From here on I will be adding little questions within my blog entries, each with point rewards, person with the most points will be reward with gifts from a local night market. First correct answer or closest correct answer within a time limit wins the points assigned to that question.

Each point is worth 0.5 ringgits (local Malaysian currency), so 10 points is 5 ringgits.

Finish this challenge and you might end up with something nice like this awesome REAL leather wallet. It's totally real.. the shop keeper tried to set it on fire and stuff, and it didn't burn, don't you dare make me feel guilty for buying it... he called me friend, he couldn't have been lying when he told me the special price was just for me...

10 points: Guess how much it cost? (Closest answer by the end of July wins!)

Ineffable Induction

The first week in Malaysia has just come to an end, and so has our stay in the “Universiti Di Malaya” (University of Malaysia). As the title suggest this past week was indescribable, but I am going to try my best. The week largely consisted of Bahasa Melayu (Malay Language) classes, with our brilliant guru, Mr. Samsur Rigal. Following these classes the students of Loughborough University wandered the various popular districts of Kuala Lumpur. When the cover of night came upon Kuala Lumpur, the students then emerged showing their true colours in some of the touristy drinking areas of the city, Loughborough style. It has been a week of ups and downs, but I have no doubt gained an edge with my new understanding of basic Bahasa Melayu.

Student's trying National Dress with Guru Samsur

Our first day in Kuala Lumpur was spent meeting the Vice Chancellor of the University for brunch, and a brief photo session. We were then permitted to wander free to get our fix of bargaining and haggling of electronic goods in the digital mall. These gave us the opportunity to try out KL’s version of the underground system, the LRT. The speed and efficiency of which took us all by surprise, as the traffic on the streets was a complete contrast. I managed to get a sweet deal on my new camera and got to practice my rusty haggling skills.

After leaving the digital we went right into the centre of KL, to have a look at the Petronas Towers and wander the fancy mall below. This is where I bought my shiny new work shoes, as the night clubs in Loughborough destroyed the pair I had planned to wear.

Fellow Students Looking for Office Shoes

This is where some of the students got to try out one of Asia’s greatest products, the massage chair. A product some of them never knew existed, and never dreamed of sampling.

 Massage Chairs!!

Back during our lunch break we befriended one of the students on the campus who had an interesting pet, which many of the students became fond of. 10 points if anyone can name it!

Mystery Pet!

After getting a taste of haggling in the digital mall I decided I wanted more, so I ventured to KL’s Chinatown with a few friends.

Market in Chinatown

A good start to my year in KL, I am now looking forward to moving into my new apartment in Subang Jaya, return here to see what it looks like!