Being inside an industrial equipment

It’s a tiring job to inspect industrial equipment when there is new installation or design modifications.

Over the past 8 days, I have had the opportunity to climb and crawl my way into an 85-foot distillation tower. Phew. What a week it has been. I have to say though, it was amazing to see what’s inside. There’s only so much that you can see from books, or pictures taken by experts and what not …

It did take me a while to feel comfortable climbing down the tray manways. It is not easy … when it’s really dark, and the only light you have is your headlights on the hard hat … plus maybe a little sunlight from the inlet manways to the tower … AND … it is 30 feet deep of 25 trays when you’re standing at the top … looking all the way down.

Yes, it was eeeeekkk!!! at first for me.

My knees are a little bruised from the crawling I did on top of each tray. The new trays have extruded valves that allow vapor to flow upwards to be in contact with the liquid that flows downwards, whereby it builds a slight level on each tray. Also, I got my first-hand experience dealing with vendors. The inspector was a really nice guy though. Very easy-going and most important of all … he knows what he is doing. I think we became more of friends than just a business acquaintance.

Well, I have started back at the previous department (where I did my first new grad rotation). It definitely feels good to be back. My only worry this time is that people are starting to expect more out of my performance. It’s nerve-wrecking but at the same time, a part of me looks forward to the challenge.

I’ve put in an extra 5.5 hours of work during this mini-outage at the plant. I think I might just not go to work tomorrow

I’m going camping tomorrow !! It finally hit a high of 27 C today! Wooh … hot! Hopefully it stays that way throughout camping.

Back then

Back then … I liked you for a reason. You could not stop bullying me but somehow I saw through your actions, and that you were just trying to get close to me. But back then … I was young. I could not continue liking you for who you are because I wanted more.

Back then … I adored you for a reason. We first met in the school’s morning assembly … when you came to me as a mentor. But back then … you were with another girl, and so I continued to treat you as a close friend. Through the years, we drifted apart as we went our separate ways.

Back then … I had a crush on you for a reason. You were a really nice guy. But back then … what did I know about dating and relationships? Your true colours showed. You liked me for my body and my vulnerability. I had to break away.

Back then … I cared for you for a reason. I thought we could be more than friends. I thought I could feel happy just having someone to care for. But back then … we had different expectations of our relationship. You thought we were more than friends but less that of a couple. I felt we were a couple. Hence, I cut the line so that my heart need not feel the pain of being in the dark; not knowing if you really care for me; not knowing if I am even a part of your life; not knowing if you are just using me.

Back then … I was fond of you for a reason. I felt contented. But back then … the distance between us was a thorn in the relationship. What did I know about parents interfering with my love life.

Back then … I loved you for a reason. I was lost in this new phase of life. I was alone, and you came along as a friend. You were my first love. But back then … I was too afraid of losing you. Then, you had to be further away from me. Perhaps it was fate. There was little trust and lots of uncontrolled emotions flared from my blinded heart. I cried for many nights when you left me at the doorstep of my house.

Back then … I was hurt for a reason. And I thought that being more than friends could heal my wounds. I took my feelings for you seriously, but I made a mistake for not learning from my past failures with long-distance relationships. But back then … how was I to know that even the best of friends may not be able to withstand the challenges with distance when in love?

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.

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You asked me, “Why do you have to leave tomorrow?”

What do you expect me to say after all these years?

“Do you want me to stay a little bit longer?”

Please don’t play with my heart anymore. If there is anything that you need to say, just say it out loud. Otherwise, let secrets be secrets … forever locked away.

Why you so proud of English?

I was laughing so hard when I came across this comment at Dr M’s blog.

A.kum YBhg Tun,

1. Tun why u so pround with English? Why not u write in bahasa Melayu.

2. No wonder UMNO weak now days because their Leader him self prefer English rather than Bahasa Melayu.

3. In America, Britain, Australia still got more jobless even they using English.

4. I hope your next topic is in Malay. Tun takan tak tahu ramai lagi orang-orang Melayu di Kota Star, Baling, Kuala Nerang dan Sik masih tak faham English.

5. Jadi minta Tun tulislah dalam Bahasa Melayu supaya mereka juga boleh baca dan faham apa yang Tun tulis.

Point#1

Common sense: the majority of blogs on the internet are communicated through English. Why can’t Dr M write in English? I don’t think it should be a question of whether one is proud to use English or Malay. It depends on the situation and intent.

Point#2

Seriously. Is this even a valid point? Quit with the traditional Melayu patriotism views – we’re in the 21st century for god’s sake !! There are many ways to show our patriotism as Malaysians, and the first thing that we need to address is accepting each other as Malaysians; as a multi-lingual and multi-racial country. If we can stop arguing loudly or quietly in our minds over which race is better … which language should be preserved … which religion should be official … I think Malaysia would be a better place for all to live in.

Point#3

Unemployment rates has got NOTHING to do with using the English language. I don’t know what was going through this person’s mind. It seems like he has his whole life against the English language. You know how emotions such as sorrow, depression and anger can lead a person to make irrational decisions? This is what he sounds like. Bitter as a bittergourd, and he just keeps chewing on and on.

Point#4 and Point#5

At least, this makes *a little* sense. And I do agree that Dr M should communicate in Malay to those who are illiterate in English …

BUT, seriously … does everyone in the areas mentioned have Internet ???

*knock knock*

Hard to believe, but perhaps many more out there have the same views as this crinky commenter.