Last Friday, I was invited to the MSA dinner at One World Hotel after work cos a few of my campaigns were submitted. At that time, all I knew was that the MSA Award night is a "Kanchil" equivalent for the media industry.


About MSA Awards:
The Media Specialists Association (MSA) Malaysian Media Awards are open to all parties involved in the use of media for advertising purposes such as MSA members, media specialists, advertising agencies and advertisers.

The entries submitted to MSA go through a strict and rigorous judging process by a team of leading marketers/advertisers and media specialists, media owners and ad agency heads. Judging scores were based on the following criteria:

• The Strategic Communication Solution (40%)
• The Role of the Selected Media (20%)
• The Use of Creative Materials (20%)
• The Key Results (20%)

The categories (awarded in Gold, Silver and Bronze places), are as follows:

• Best Use of Television
• Best Use of Sponsorship
• Best Use of Newspapers
• Best Use of Out of Home Media
• Best Use of Magazines
• Best Use of a Small Budget (under RM100,000)
• Best Use of Radio
• Best Integrated Media Campaign
• Best Use of Digital (online/ interactive/mobile)

Special awards:

• Grand Prix (best overall entry)
• Agency of the Year
• Advertiser of the Year

So anyway, back to the dinner. The award night started out just a like wedding dinner... with food presentation and all. Then while we were eating a 10-course meal, there was this talentime contest amongst the many agencies called: "Media Got Talent" where the winner walked away with RM5K in cash!

Thereafter, it was the prize announcement and presentation. I was rather busy eating... scallops and asparagus dish when the announcement came unexpectedly... my campaign was awarded GOLD in the "Best Use of Radio" category!!! In a spur of blurry moment, I found myself on stage, unable to smile (cos of the stupid braces). Never have I felt so scared before in my life... on stage in front of close to 1,000 crowd!

After that, my hand shook non-stop and my heartbeats went wild! Just when I thought I've recovered from the initial shock, the announcement for the Grand Prix Award came. This award is like the Best of the Best Award, the overall winner for night across all categories... Never really thought of winning the Grand Prix Award cos' there were a lot of other reputable brands competing but surprise surprise... My project WON amongst 236 entries nationwide!!!

So this time, I was also dragged on stage and was made to stand there for the longest time ever while confetti showering at the end... Honestly, it was such an exhilarating experience. Never before in my life... Felt so proud that my project won... and best of all, our company has never won such awards before... Teeheee... :)

Update: I even appeared in Financial Daily (June 16, 2008) but just one of the photos la...

Our company hit an important milestone this year... XXm subs... So as a reward to their 3K plus staffs, they decided to get everyone a watch... A watch that looked like an Omega but needless to say... with 3K employees... the watches came from China... kekeke...

Instead of being appreciative, everyone has loads to complain about... me included...

To me, though the gesture was nice, thought that it would have been better if something more practical was given to us like a pen for instance, or a personalized filo-fax or cashhh... But nothing beats what some of my colleagues said bout the watches:

Water Resistant

• A: It's water resistant you know...
• B: Really? How do you know? How deep?
• A: 5cm
• B: >_<

GPS Tracker

• A: Don't peel off the protective plastic!
• B: Why?
• A: There's a GPS tracker in there... once you peel off the sticker, it'll be activated. Then the management will always know where you are...
• B: O_o

Hearing Bug

• A: Shhh... don't talk so loud near the watch...
• B: Why?
• A: There's a bug in there somewhere... that way, the management will be able to hear all our conversations and our corridor talks!
• B: T_T

Psychotic or not? Hehehehe...

Over the weekend, I attended my cousin brother's wedding: Marcus & Ai Li. But that morning, we went over to Marcus' house for the customary tea ceremony.

Everyone was in a happy and joyous mood cos the entire clan hardly gather together ever since my grandfather left us... Anyway, all was fine... until... they called out my name! Since the groom was older than me and that I am still single... I was supposed to "jum cha" for him and his wife in return for an "ang pau". Kanasai, I was soooooooo terribly embarrassed cos of everyone who "jum cha-ed" to them, I was the OLDEST!!! There are kids in primary school lining up to get their "ang paus" mind you!!! 'KNS betul'!!!

I supposed my cousin felt my embarrassment cos him and his wife gave me 2 "ang paus" each instead of 1... Sigh...

I was on leave yesterday when my bro sent me an SMS about the petrol price increase... Adamant that it was just a rumour... I told him that it was reported in the newspaper that very morning that the next increase would be in August... It's only June now... how can it be?

He then proceeded to send me more evidence... from NST, from Sin Chew and from Malaysia Kini... hehehehe... By the time I was convinced that it is true, the jam was already horrific at all roads leading to petrol stations!!! I for one sat in a jam for nearly 30min! Since the cars barely inched... I decided to u-turn home with a half full tank... :(

That night my friend called and mentioned "Niamah" (Patrick Teoh's blog) bout how Mr. B always say no only to mean yes a little later...

• Like how he said he won't remarry - but he did a few months later
• Like how he said election won't be so soon - but parliament was dissolved the following day
• Like how he said next petrol increase won't be so soon - but it happened that same night!

Morale of the story? No = Yes...

But then again, he also said he won't resign from BN right??? :P

Went and see doctor today. I had this 2 black patches on both sides of my arms. Initially it was faint like and can barely be seen. But after awhile, the patches grew bigger and the colour went from faint brown to dark brown. From untrained eyes, it looked somewhat burnt.

Fortunately, the doctor said that it was just a type of fungal infection / rashes and that it should go away in a week or so after applying the cream she prescribed.

Out of curiosity, I google-ed fungal infections and found this: Tinea Versicolor

This is a yeast type of skin fungus found on normal skin. If the skin is oily, warm and moist enough, it starts to grow into small "colonies" on the surface of the skin. In these colonies the yeast grows quickly and leaks out an acidic bleach, which changes the skin color. The patches are lightly reddish brown on very pale skin but they don't tan. Because of lack of any tanning, they look like white spots on darker or tanned skin. This is most often seen on the neck, upper chest, upper arms and back. There may be a fine, dry scale on it. Typically the white patches remains for months after the rest of the rash has disappeared.

• This is seen as oval, or round patches on the upper arms and neck, and in children it may be seen on the face. It affects both men and women, and is common in young adults and in seniors.
• It is common in the tropics.
• Looks fine and branny (brown /powdery) and scale upon scratching the skin. The patches tend to join together in the centre.
• The rash can be brown, red or white hence the name "versicolor".
• On occasion, especially in young women, small red bumps or pus spots develop on the upper body, neck and sometimes the face.

Thank god mine was just on my arms... and not my FACE! Phew...

Couple of days ago... I got this email from Coach... Given that I was a sucker... I immediately made my way to the nearest Coach...

Initially, I thought of only getting a wallet. But I couldn't find any that matches the 2 Coach bags I already had... So I walked out feeling rather disappointed...

Just when I thought I managed to resist the temptation, my colleague then told me bout the bag she bought. Given that it was a steal deal... We went together to look see look see again... That was when I saw this cute little bag... which was perfect for the weekends...!

The damage? RM963... buuuuuutttttttt that was after a whopping RM410 discount!!! Where to get la right... such a great deal! :)