What Life was like being a college student of TARC Part 2

It was not long after studying in TARC
I finally resit and passed my JPJ test and was finally able to drive my mom's car to college.

I have gotten a lot of support and encouragement from my ex during that time, she supported me verbally and I dint failed her



From there, I dint have to chase the college bus anymore, just straight away find places to part inside or outside college,

It was nothing fancy really, during that time all I was driving was a light blue proton wira
to study and to go dating.

While other fortunate kids were driving an Myvy I was driving a proton wira,
Still,I am still grateful I have gotten a car to drive during that time,
And when I drove a my sister Myvy to college,I feel so cool during that time too because it's a Myvy.

Soon after I was able to drive, I stopped living at my aunty's house and start driving back and forth from Sungai Buloh to TAR college at Setapak.

My dad will normally pay for the petrol so I dint have to worry about the Petrol Money fortunately,

When you have a car sticker in TARC, you still have to drive round and round just to find parking spot inside of the college,
If you are having afternoon classes then after the class ended the car will be literally like an hot oven




He also pay for my college student parking sticker too, so that I can park inside of the college,
els if inside does not have parking, then I shall have to park outside nearby the residential area.

And everyday if my class finish at the evening it was like this:


If my class starts at the morning then it was like this:



a few hours jam, back and forth.
but that's what you get for driving to college when you live so far.

What Life was like being a college student of TARC

Every Monday to Friday

I have to walk from my Aunty's flat house to the bus stop to wait for the TAR College bus,

Every month, my dad will pay my aunty RM100 to cover my stay there even though my aunty dint wanted to accept the money at first.

Every week, my dad will give me RM50 to cover lunch and my expenditure in TARC, I dint had a lot of money back then,

I had to choose wisely what to eat and make sure to not spend too much so that I have enough money to go dating with my ex back then.

The bus was never on time.

And sometimes I even have to chase the bus because the bus came early without noticing,

And the College bus does not wait for students too, they just come and go, 

If you miss the bus then you shall have to take the public bus to go to college.

If lecture/class starts at 8am in the morning, then I will have to wake up at 5.40am.

And the reason why was because, after I woke up, 

I have to boil the cold water in a kettle at the gas stove in the kitchen,

then pour the hot boiling water into a big giant container filled with cold tap water just so I can bath.

After class, well my only source of internet was a Yes 4G Dongle.

 

Yes, a 4G dongle that only has 3Gb during that time to cover the whole month.

But thankfully, my dad bought me this fantastic lovely laptop that I'm still using till today, to help me study and do my assignment
.
And I was literally obsessed by how powerful the pc was, and how fast it was too.

Yup that's the early stages of my life in TARC.

My Journey Into TARC

Sometime in 2012,

It was my first day officially joining TARC college.

I was surprise to see how full the lecture hall was during that time,

It was so much more bigger then a classroom that I was used to.

The course rep during that time, was having some warm up session with all of us fellow broadcast students, and surprise-surprise I was elected to be the Assistance of Course rep during that time.

I dint asked for it but I was chosen to do it.

I was really proud to be able to sit inside the big office to learn what an Assistance Course rep should do during that time, learning and taking responsibility, and there was a lot of positive feedback from the students too.

During this time, I was also in a serious relationship too with my girlfriend, that I met though Facebook and eventually fallen in love.

Everything seems to be good at first,

After classes there is the TAR College bus that would fetch me to my Aunty housing area and from there I have to walk back.

After SPM

In the year 2012 I've officially graduated from my Secondary School known as SMKBRP

located at Sungai Buloh,

My results for SPM was horrible, there was only 1A 4 B's and even 1 C

and the only A I got is for English,

During that time, I really did tried my best to study as much as I can, but the environment was hash, many bullies there and so forth,

My parents was not to blame because they have did their best to provide me with all they can, with the tuition classes, before SPM seminar and sufficient exercise books to study ,

I was from Sungai Buloh, but the tuition classes was located at Kepong,

Every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday my dad will have to fetch me back and forth so that I can study in of the best tuition center there,

But somehow in the end I failed them because I could not get that many A's as I wanted too.

I did my best but that's the result I got.

My parents was not too sad nor were they too happy either, they were neutral because I have already had plan to go to TARC college during that time to pursue my education.

Everything seems good, because during my dad early days, he was also studying at TARC college before he moved to University Malaya.

During that time, I could have studied at SEGI, Taylors and even in KDU university, but my sister was studying Pharmacy that cost a lot of money,

Knowing that it would cost a lot of money for her to pursue her dreams, I decided to followed my dad footstep and tried studying in TARC.

The requirements was only 5 Credits in your SPM.

And the education was really affordable too,at only RM10k

I knew what I wanted during that time unlike other's , and I have a dream that someday I could be someone famous probably working as a radio DJ under Astro,

And since I love talking so why not study Broadcasting?

My aunty who lives nearby TARC was also welcoming me to stay at her place while I study there so it seem like a good idea too.

And thus TARC college it is then...

Dealing with Depression(June 2016)

Many thought that I am one of those happy go lucky kinda guy that is very energetic,
but truthfully, have you ever heard of the term
"The person who laugh the loudest is actually the saddest"

Because that's basically me at the beginning

One of the biggest issue in any relationship is money is not enough and I am fortune enough to overcome that problem,

You see, I've spent most of my time working and working from Monday to Friday constantly helping Maxis Customer and cheering people day up,

But during Saturday and Sunday during my off days I will be alone.

There are days I will spend them with my parents, treating them dinner and sometimes even movies too,
There are times I will spend them with my friends too.

But what I really want is just a girlfriend to spend her time with me and to love me that's all.

You see, every year I made this 1 Wish and that one wish will always be the same is that:

"I wish I have a girlfriend that I love"

And that's my wish.
But somehow somewhere I've realized that what's the point of being so desperate?

Ever since my Ex left me I dint wanted to be alone,
I used to have sessions with befriender, talking to them about this issue,
Chat with my friends at work , or chat with friends on Facebook about it.

Messaging different girls at facebook hoping that they will reply me,
Waiting for them to reply me but eventually they dint.

I dint understand during that time, what is wrong with me?

I got the money,
I am not bad looking,
I got a steady career,
I got a nice car to drive and a place to stay.

So what's the problem of getting a girlfriend then?
Feeling depress and sad I just have to move on with life,

My parents they definitely know about it too, they say it's silly to think about things like this, but knowing that my Ex got a better relationship then me bothered me.

But with all the fake relationship I came across, all those internet scam that happened

In the end I've learn that it's okay to be single,
It's alright to be alone,

As long as you can do the things you like doing to make you happy then things will naturally.
There's no need to rush, because why rush,
Rushing will not help.

So what I did was, with the amount of money I have
I went shopping,
Dine at a luxury buffet
And even go for movies with nice seats all alone.

And those girls that I've send messages to on Facebook that they dint reply,
Whatever, if they dont reply just forget about them and move on..
I ain't that bad looking so just chill,

Just stay happy...
And learn to love yourself
And feel good about yourself
At the same time adapt to being alone.

I have faith that things will actually get better eventually,
Until then just work hard for a better future and continue helping people.

My Relationship Currently(June 2016)

Many people believe that I am in a relationship or somehow a playboy, because I go out with different girls and because we take picture together,

also because I go clubbing...

But honestly, and seriously I am still single,

I made a few bad moves along the way that hurt some girls feelings since I broke up with my ex.
2 specifically.
I thought they were the one,
but eventually I realized they were not the right one for me....

Since then I feel really guilty I did so too.
I did not forget the pain I caused.

And until now, the reason why I am single was because the right girl that I like has not step into my life yet at the moment.

I dint want to be that kinda guy who will be in a relationship with any kind of girl that show their interest with me because I dint want to break their heart or ruin their feelings.

It's a waste of their time, and a waste of money.

Besides that, nowadays girls will be in a relationship with the kinda guy that as long as the guy study in the same place with her, or try to tackle her for a month or buy you some expensive product then instantly they are in a relationship already,

And before you know it, a few months later or a year later break up,

And then couple again with some other guy later on.

What happened to the real love?What happened to the get to know you part well enough then couple?

I want a relationship to last, I want that girl I love to be the only girl that I will ever want to be with.

Provide for her and to give her happiness,

I want my future girlfriend/wife to say that "Yea, that is my boyfriend and I'm proud of him"

And that's enough,

But in the society these days majority, are not thinking this way,

most teen at my age just want to have fun, and only chat with you if you're good looking.

And lots of perverted guys outside there too, who just wants to have fun.

That's how things work...

My Ultra Ego Problem

There was this time in 2014
I have receive countless compliments that I just dint want to upload to Facebook and then feel like a hypocrite after that.



I start to have this Ego, that I am the best there is in company,
Being offered to be in roaming position, being offered to be in network position and being offered to be in broadband position
I had this pride and ego inside of me that I was the best.

One day, I was caught doing my own private browsing on the internet on which car to buy during office hour.
And my supervisor had to answer for me and had to justify why I did it under he's supervision.

And he did speak for me, to cover me up,

The second time I was caught again, but this time I was using Wikipedia to search for some word.
And again he cover for me and take the blame.

He called me into a meeting room and spoke to me personally to talk to me about it.

After I justify why I did it he told me this:
'Lai you are not untouchable, do not let little things like this stop you from being a good staff here in Maxis, and don't forget where you come from.'


For a minute there I had realized something,
I realized that he was right, he always take good care of me giving me advised,
And I ask myself, what have I become?

With the fast car, steady income, good clothes to wear and nice shoes use, what have I become?

Things start to get better(2014-June 2016)

I've been working in Maxis Since 23 June 2014-present 2016
And it has been 2 years as of today,


(Picture team Synergy in 2015)

During these years what I do in Maxis is I answer calls,
At the beginning all I sign up for is just to answer postpaid calls, and my parents does not even believe that my salary is more then RM3K at the beginning, claiming that I am being con by some big company,
But once they saw my payslip my mom literally became really happy,

But today it seems I have to do more then just answer calls.

Anything related to Postpaid, roaming, broadband, home fiber,prepaid I have to handle,
Now they are even preparing me to handle the Maxis Center Dealer,
Teaching me new things to hopefully better prepare me for whats to come.


Those people who looked down at me in the Maxis academy, well they are gone...
In 6 months time they were already gone,because they do not want to be scolded by customer.
And they cannot handle the amount stress that approached them.

To me I have this mentally that,
No matter how bad the calls is or how bad the problem is,
I cant just give up and resign,because if I do then who is going to give money to my parents?
Who is going to give money to my grandma or aunty and grandpa?

How will I even be able to live the life I am living now?

You see, it's not all about the money,
It's about the people as well,

They are like family to me, and we spend most of our time there together, as a team and as a family.

Finally Gotten the Job (2014-June 2016)

After the training was over,
I was officially going into the big office to start answering my first call.



It was scary and exciting at first,
And I dint think that I was capable of taking this Job,

But with the help of 2 of the classmates in the academy,
I made it though,despite the hardship.
They believe in me, gave me verbal support, encouraging me though the end.
Even though during the traning, I had to go though resit, because I dint pass the exam.

They told me that: "I can do it just don't cheat".
And I din't.

And little did I know, the instructor that scolded me because I turn on the computer earlier before she said so, has assign one of the best supervisor in Maxis to take care of me,

Even though all this time , she seems so strict to me but actually she has a good intention.

The Good and Bad (2014-June 2016)

It was a very interesting and fun time studying in Maxis,
and meeting all those people there,
On one side, there was XXXXXX students who is good in talking and can manage to talk though any problem that they face.

The other was the XXXX students who is so proud of their knowledge and believe they know everything.

Dressing up nicely, with their expensive watches, shoes and expensive phones

Worst yet, they establish a friendly relationship with the teacher and other classmates to cheat so that they can pass and get the job.

And I was mind blown what was going on there,
I feel so dumb really,

I was paying so much attention studying in the class,writing down everything the teacher teach
During the meal time, I even stayed in class to do revision because I know in the end of the class there is an exam,

And God knows I needed this Job.

While other's was scoring 100% in the exam I was scoring around 75%-78%
There was even this one time, I got scolded because I turn on the computer earlier before the instructor told other's turn it on.

And I was being looked down by them,

And they isolated  me, because I was studying in TARC and I was not so smart.

Back to School (2014-June 2016)

During the time in the Maxis Academy,
Things dint go so well too...



There were people who are older then me, with Master, PhD and also even Degree too.

They were all older then me,
Some from Taylors, KDU, Segi and so forth...
And me?I was the youngest among all of them at the age of 20 without even a proper diploma.

After the interview, we were all schedule for classes from Monday-Friday from 8am-6pm,
Fully paid for 3 week.
It was basically a training.

Each day when the class is over, we have to take exams to see if we passed that class or not.

If we failed 3 classes then you're out.
If you failed to speak properly in the end to the customer you're out.

Either way,
most of the people there was not the nicest people you can find,

Interview and Exam days (2014-June 2016)

There was 2 official interview from Maxis,

The first was from Jobstreet and the second was officially from Maxis.

During the Jobstreet interview, you were given a set of exam papers to be answered,

The questions was consisting of math questions,

Thankfully I have passed the exam on Jobstreet side.

However that was not the end,

After the interview and lots of papers to sign,

I have to go though another exam officially from Maxis.

This time, it's paperless,

No paper no pen,

But I was glad because at least I am not somewhere then nowhere....

The Opportunity has arrived (2014-June 2016)

In the Maxis Center KLCC,
The supervisor there dint have any exams just straight away face to face interview.
Asking me what is my specialty,
What I can do best,
Where do I live and so forth so forth...

It was not long until they have written down my handphone number and they said they will definitely call me.



So I went back home by train, and my mom fetch me home, My parents was concern about me, and they asked me how was the interview?
I dint really know how to respond to that question, because I wanted my parents to not be sad.
Therefore I just said, they will call me and things seems to be alright.
And I had to fake a smile to make sure they are not worried at all..

I dint know if I gotten the job or not, but all I know is I cant give up searching for one...

And the day after that I've receive another call from Jobstreet.
This time it's from Maxis, and they said that they have a Job for me,
And the salary was above RM3K
And they want to see me again for another interview.
And this time it's official.

Finding for a job (2014-June 2016)

I had a really hard time finding a job during that time.
I remembered that well...
I cant speak Mandarin,cant even write Mandarin words....
Don't have a proper certificate that I've graduated from TARC
And I am not an straight A's student.
But I expect to earn more then RM2500 per month.
It was dark times but I dint lose hope,
I always told myself, that I have arms and legs, and I can speak fluently in 3 language,
It's gonna be alright.

There was this one time, I've went for an interview at Plaza Central,
And I dint get the job because I dint answer 3 questions correctly
And they told me to leave.



And during that time, I was way down...
Because I feel so stupid because I could not answer the questions correctly.

I dint gave up though,
I was walking around KLCC after that, looking at the stores outside to see if they were hiring.
And then I saw Maxis KLCC branch.
And I walk in asking if they were hiring...

Time to leave (2014-June 2016)

Since that day,

I've decided to resign from Dbix after working there for 2 months,

in search for a better job since I believe I am capable of finding a better job out there.

The results for my final semester in TARC was out and fortunately I've pass all the subjects,

So I said my goodbyes to them and my colleague said their goodbyes too,

They were sad that I left, because I was like their good friend and we were all close to each other.

And so there i was running all over the place to search a job online at Jobstreet.

I've send 10+ resumes out to different company, working as a contract staff and under a third party vendor for some big company.

All of them different salary, but during that time I've still did not have any official certificate from TARC and all I have was my SPM certificate.

I was waiting for my official diploma certificate to be out, but TARC college lecturer's and head of the department were not even be kind enough to provide me a temporary letter to inform the company that I will be working in, 

I've graduated there.

I've tried to request for it,

But they dint reply my email,

And gave me a really lousy treatment.

God Send?(2014-June 2016)

One day I met this young lady named Miss XXX, who occasionally drop by the building due to some projects in Maxis.

She notice me working hard and asked me,
What is my name?
I told her that my name is Lai Ken Hou, and I am 20.

She ask me whether do I like working here and would I like to work in a better place then where I am today.

And during that time, of course I said Yes.
She told me to send her my resume as her husband is hiring new staff and she would like me to go for the interview to get the job.

And during that time, I was super happy that I went back home to tell my parents all about it.
On that same day, I quickly send her my resume and even message her that I am ready, and I would like to go for the interview as soon as possible.

Everyone in the office was surprise that I've gotten this offer, to get a better job and a better pay.
And I thought I would have gotten a call or a respond by her husband,

But things dint turned out as I wanted it to be...
You see, there was no email that is being sent back to me telling me the interview was going on.
There was no call back even that I've receive from either one of them telling me the job is there.

It was completely silence...
And there I was, all excited for something that I believe, could make a difference but in the end nothing.