Greetings from Guangzhou – Day 27

*on MSN*
Shing Onn: telnet to 172.16.0.52. password : ****, login: ****.
Me: Uh-huh…
Shing Onn: “su - orawl1”. Then “c- tablespace admin”. After that, “a – tablespace”.
Me: Okay… !!!
Shing Onn: PSAPROLL. What’s the new size?
Me: New size 1298544k.
Shing Onn: Start the database altering…

Fuhhhhh… really felt like a scene from Mission impossible detonating some bomb. Shaky hands, heartbeat faster than normal, imaginary Mission Impossible background music, well… it didn’t help that I had 10 pairs of eyes looking over my shoulder *faints*. Resubmitted the job; it failed AGAIN at around 12:30am, changed the tablespace size again, slept that night with fingers crossed.

Got up at 6:30am, checked the job - it was cancelled!!!

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*freak out*

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Performed some database checks. Eihhhh???? Everything seems normal. How come the job still cancelled? Re-checked the job logs.

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Huh? The job was completed successfully… I read the logs incorrectly previously? Didn’t want to get too happy yet, check through some Financial documents… they seemed to be restored properly back into the system. THEN, I rejoiced – Woo Hoo!!!!

Went out had had another great day moving around Guangzhou. Tell you all about it when I have more time to edit the photos and all. Till then… see you all, cause I AM GOING HOME SOONNNNNN!!!!!!

*does a silly dance*

Greetings from Guangzhou – Day 26

“Imagine you’re in a F1 race. It has been a neck-to-neck race since the beginning, tough and challenging. However, you’ve managed to do pretty well despite a couple of glitches here and there, not only due to having a fantastic driver… but a team that stuck their neck out TOGETHER throughout the race. During the very last lap, suddenly the ENGINE malfunctions …” – quoted by Mr. Lee Kum Seng, my manager :P

Sigh… the conversation above depicted my current situation in Guangzhou, when I stupidly deleted all of Wanglaoji's financial data, and am now trying to restore it. 9:00 a.m.; found that the previous night’s background job to delete the data has been completed successfully, almost 3 hours earlier than scheduled. Woo-Hoo! Quickly scheduled the background restore job, expecting the restore to be done at around 4pm.

We went out happily and had a pretty good time sight-seeing. First stop, Guangzhou Huoche Dong Zhan Bus Terminal. Next to the bus terminal, is the largest man-made waterfall in Guangzhou, backed with a pretty impressive garden by the side.

Guess what are these? Colorful candies?!?

Yupz, fishes!!! Fah Dei Wan – where all types stuff that has to do with marine life (plus a many other things) can be bought. From left to right - Shells; All types of fish; Fish with flower prints; Tortoises; Glow-in-the-dark fish; Garden items; Food carvings; Stones; Flea market. There were close to 50-70 stalls selling these items, we can never be able to see such a selection at such cheap prices back home in Malaysia. Kindly click on the pictures for a larger version.

Next stop, Hai Zhu Guang Chang. From left: Traditional Chinese writings on wood; Modern wood handicraft; My favourite Naruto figurines (which I bought a set of 10 for only RM12…kekekeke); Weaponry complete with battle and samurai swords; intricate designs for minute glass shoes; Dolls; Jades and stones; Modern clocks which cost a bomb back home; a whole complex of about 50-70 shops just selling SHOES a.k.a. Girl Heaven.

The highlight at Hai Zhu Guang Chang, toy guns. They’re actually illegally sold cause they’re too similar to the real thing. Cheah warned me not to try taking a photo cause the peddlers might think that I’m taking photos as evidence to get them in trouble. Thus, for this picture I risked my life… for the sake for worldofjuan blog :P

Got back after a great day of jalan-jalan and this is the news update, “Juan, how ar? The restore job cancelled THREE times while you were away”, Kenneth asked. *faints* Checked the error log – ‘For this operation, the ORACLE instance needed additional storage space in a rollback segment. The expansion of this rollback segment failed’.

What?!? Speak English please… *blink blink*

Greetings from Guangzhou – Day 25

My biggest job boo-boo in China. The reason why it’s 4:00am and I’m still up blogging. Can’t sleep cause was scared s***less for the past 5 hours since 11:00pm and I expect myself to be in this state for at least the next 10 hours. I normally name my archive jobs {date}_{company code}. For this particular archiving object, it was named 10032006_70. “10032006” being the date and “70” is the short form for company code G070.

So if you observe the parameters set, I was supposed to key in “G070” for the Company Code selection. But I accidentally left it blank. What does this mean?

The job scheduled is going to DELETE ALL FINANCIAL DATA that is present in the system.

And so, in my “trying-to-be-calm-but-failed-to” state, I:

• Quickly called David and said, “Don’t you dare delete any files from the archive folder! I need to restore the deleted data!” Of which, he snickered. Grrr… he obviously doesn't understand the implications.
• Cancelled the delete job at once.
• Tried to restore the data but I couldn’t see the restore file.
• Told Grace, she glanced up, went, “Oh..” and got back to work. After I explained that we would need to restore the server back to last week’s backup; of which all the work she has done for the past week will be gone, THEN she panicked WITH me.
• Rushed up to Kenneth’s and David apartment, and we panicked together :P

Anyway, we needed to continue deleting all data in order for the restore file to be created. At least… this is our understanding at this point of time. Whaaaaa???? Have to delete ALL the data so that we can restore?!? How silly does THAT sound? *faints*

Errr… we’ll get some results in about 10 hours; which is why my stomach is tied up in knots.

Me: Kenneth, it’s been great knowing you *shakes his hand*
Kenneth: Errr… *shakes hand hesitantly*
Me: Shake hand cause going to get fired tomorrow…
David: I’m the one’s who’s getting fired!!! I didn’t do backup today, REMEMBER?

Need to face my manager Kum Seng, tomorrow at 8:30a.m. That's 4 1/2 hours away...

>:S

Greetings from Guangzhou – Day 23

Time: 1:30 a.m.
Hidden meaning: It’s late, Juan is tired, so it’s going to be a short post :P

Just got back from a superb supper with my colleagues – From left: David Labuda, Boon Siew and Grace. Been cooped up in my apartment for more than a week working, and it’s great just to loosen up and have some time-off (even if it’s just an hour of being away right outside the apartment having supper…ekekkeke).

It’s a nice barbeque place right outside the apartment we’re living. Grace kept commenting about how dirty it was; the oysters were cleaned with some tap water right next to the drain. But I’d like to think I’ve got a really strong Malaysia “mamak” stomach…ehehhehe. Well, if my post tomorrow is entitled, “Sick in Guangzhou”… at least I’ll read this blog item and remember what a great time I had.

Many tables set up next to the main road and everyone on the other tables were gambling with that little box thing with dices inside. Have absolutely no idea how it’s being played, took a quick candid shot (fingers crossed hoping that the guys don’t suddenly stand up and demanded I erased their photo).

Finally, some of the stuff we had. Mind you, I didn’t have enough space to show all the goodies our tum tums enjoyed tonight… :D To name just a few; there was bread, lamb, oysters cooked with chili and garlic, chicken wings, fish, pork ribs, mushrooms, calamari, cheap RM3 big bottles of beer, and my favorite RM1.50 MAGNUM (I still CANNOT believe that MAGNUM’s soooooooo cheap here in China, and with so many different types of flavors too!).

I think I shall go to sleep with a wide smile on my face tonight. And it’s not because of the beer... :P All four of us stuffed ourselves with all that great stuff and it costed us only RM40!!!!! Woo-hoo!!!

Me... a Benevolent Leader???

Jess passed this link to me, it takes about 30 minutes to complete the tests and you’ll get instant results. Give it a go, and let me view your results, k? Below's mine:

Benevolent Leader

Don’t really see myself as a leader most of the time, but for some strange reason, I do somehow end up in that position pretty often. Juan; the unwilling leader *chuckle*.

Me… benevolent? Thesaurus.com defines benevolent as ‘all heart, big-hearted, caring, compassionate, go-good, generous, helpful, human, kind-hearted, tender-hearted, warm hearted etc’. Wow… thanks, I guess... :D For those who’s reading this and shaking their heads in disbelief… at least Yew Leong read my results and thinks it’s true. SO THERE! *sticks tongue out*…ahahhahahahha.

I loved it when the results said, "Your caring nature goes beyond a basic concern; you take time to understand the nuances of people's situations before passing any sort of judgement". This started off as a conscious action, it's great to learn that it has became part of who I am :)

My Personal Dna Report

Greetings from Guangzhou – Day 20

1) Run Production Planning background job – Server processor utilization 35%
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2) Add Finance archiving background job – Server processor utilization 77%
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3) Add Sales and Distribution foreground job – Server processor utilization 95%
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Juan’s reaction: WHAT??????!!!!!???

Sob sob… only a maximum of 3 processes at a time before the processor’s utilized at 95%. What does did mean? Crappy hardware specs = slow processing speed for jobs = Deadline cannot be met. Sighhh… As a result of a extremely frustrating week at work…

Last night, I dreamt of getting on a hamster wheel-like device and powered the server by running. AHhaahhahahaha! *wipes tears from eyes* Sincerely don’t know the dream was caused by frustration at work, or my body is missing gym.

:P

So far, haven’t really started missing home yet until a cousin sister sent me some pictures taken from Chinese New Year. Family portrait, minus sis and Daniel cause they back at Bidor.

The uncles and aunties whom are still in Malaysia. From left: 5th uncle and auntie, 4th uncle and auntie, 3rd uncle and uncle, my day’s the eldest, 8th uncle and auntie. Too bad the pictures of my cousins weren’t clear… but each family has 3 kids each. You do the maths and imagine the havoc when we have to line up to receive angpaus :D

Yupz, received the pictures on Saturday night. Started missing my family officially… Saturday night 4th of March *blink blink*.

You can give without loving…

Friend: Life is so sick!!
Me: Eiii… why suddenly wan?
Friend: Just very sick with my life.
Me: Erm… care to share the details?
Friend: Everyday we live for some purpose. When that purpose’s gone, there’s nothing left.
Me: Purpose driven life… heard of that? What’s the lost purpose?
Friend: Well, very hard to find a purpose to live for… ahahhahaha…

Twas indeed bitter laughter.

This conversation began this morning at around 12+ a.m. Was getting ready for bed when I received such a MSN message from this Buddhist friend whom I’ve befriended whilst being here in China. After working non-stop for 6 whole days, I was DEAD tired and the last thing I needed was a long conversation into the wee hours of a Sunday morning. However, after the intense prayer time for the nation of China just about 2 hours ago, how could I ignore such a plea for help just to get some zzzzsssss…???

Had a fruitful time of sharing, woke up around 10am just in time for City Harvest 10am Live Webcast. Matthew 8:1-3 – A man with leprosy cam and knelt before him and said, “Lord if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing”, he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cured of his leprosy.

As I pondered the night before on how to reach the lost in China, this verse spoke to me. Jesus’s way of evangelism was never a hard-selling technique. His method was always by meeting needs. The verses spoke about a leper – like someone who has HIV in our age. He had a terminal, incurable disease; was disfigured, unloved, feared and dismissed by society. What was the first thing that Jesus did? Not preach a sermon… neither did he condemn by saying, “If you don’t accept me, you will go to hell!” He saw something deeper. He saw an emotional hurt within. Jesus reached out his hand and TOUCHED the leper.

You can give without loving. But you cannot love without giving.

We live in a time when we’re always busy. What is the best gift that we can give? The gift of TIME to fulfill the NEED of another. Not all are called to be the stage-front evangelists, but each of us is called to be a soul winners. This applies to our daily walk, as well as looking past the physical in China. If there is no avenue to preach openly, it’s how we live our life that’s going to get committed Christians. The key-word is committed Christians, and NOT converted Christians. People are not going to be convinced by attending a service, listening to a sermon; but by reading our lives.

Though I avail myself for His Will daily, I hope I don’t get another 12+am conversation tonight. Make it a little earlier, Papa? Amen ;)

Greetings from Guangzhou – Day 18

There are no churches in Guangzhou, but a few really big Catholic churches in Shanghai. However, we have to show our passport upon entry because the locals are not allowed to go in. The odd Buddhist that I came across whilst being here prays; but cannot have an altar at home and they cannot use joss sticks. We’ve always hear from evangelists preaching in church about how Christians are persecuted in China and how the underground churches operates; until a very important point slipped my mind - The same way the Christians are persecuted… people of other religions are too.

I totally forgot about the lack of freedom in religion until I suddenly noticed my local colleagues looked at me strangely when I was giving thanks at the table. It’s like second nature, but I guess when it’s an anomaly… it really stands out ;) Have had local colleagues come up to me asking about Christianity, the same way they’ve asked Aun Chuan about Buddhism cause they’ve noticed that he does not take beef at the dinner table.

What does this really mean? Have personally noted how cautious they are when asking such questions – and while it’s apparent that they’re curious, so if I may dare to say; they’re hungry to just lap up any information provided. Indeed, So he said to his disciples, “The harvest is large, but there are few workers to gather it in. Pray to the owner of the harvest that he will send out workers to gather in his harvest." – Matthew 9:37-38.

Whilst we’re on the topic in lack of freedom, I’ve personally experienced such a lack of freedom in information. Am guessing that it’s to disallow certain mindsets from infiltrating the minds of the locals; many sites in China are blocked. While Blogspots is blocked, I can still using blogger to post, then check the layout of my site using Google’s website translation tool to view (lucky me, the screening authorities seem to have forgotten this little loophole). Some sites have certain pictures blocked, for example CNN, Bloomberg.

My heart goes out to the people for an oppression that they might not even know they are in.

Papa in Heaven, I pray for the people here that they can meet with you, even with the lack of freedom to gain knowledge in the physical. You’ve said in Proverbs 8, that You raise your voice to all mankind. All who are simple will gain prudence. All who are foolish will gain understanding. Indeed, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom, the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Let them meet with you, so they would gain such wisdom and understanding, in Jesus Name, Amen.

B'day Wishes to a Special Someone…

Happy Birthday to someone who is...

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Attractive

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Adventurous

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Adorable

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY HEIDI!!!!!

I couldn’t sign on the card (lost/trapped/stranded/left to die in China) the LF bought for you, so 'Ze BRAINS' a.k.a. Meera thought up this amazing idea for them to direct you to my blog for the wishes this year!!! Here a wat'cha ma call it wet kiss all the way from China... *SMMMMMOOOOOOOCCCCCHHHH....!!!!!*

heehheehehhehe..... *wipes saliva from chin*

Greetings from Guangzhou – Day 15

My trip to China will NOT be a trip to China until the posting of today’s blog item – the foods that the people from this part of the world consumes *nyek nyek*. It’s like a stamp of confirmation, confirmation that I’ve indeed been here. This is a normal section of any other Chinese restaurant in Guangzhou – where all the ‘before cooked’ animals are placed. Around these little boxes, are the normal water tanks of various types of fishes.

Let's zoom in to box number ONE. Ta-daa! Terrapins / tortoises / or turtles… I really can’t read Chinese you see (like that isn’t obvious by now).

Box number TWO. *Ahem* Worms… I swear… I did not enlarge the pictures. Each of those worms are like ¾ inch wide and 12 inches long. Yupz… it’s huge. I asked my American colleague David Labuda (who’s been working in China for two years) how it tasted like. And he said, “It doesn’t taste like anything you’ve eaten before *duh-h…kekekek*. Err.. but the closest description, are clams. It’s kind of sproing-y”. Uh-huh… I’ll just take his word and not confirm it :P

Box number THREE. Snakes. Uh-huh.. I know I’ve carried one during Christmas. But eating them? *shivers*

Final box for the day. Sea beetles. When I first saw them I thought, “Oh my GOSH!!!! Are those ROACHES?!?” WWwwaaahhhhh…… *sob sob*

*takes deep breath* Needless to say, I haven’t mustered enough courage to try these erm… “delicacies”. Tonight we tried something special though… eel on ice. KEkekekke… it’s cooked eel, and they serve it in a bowl filled with ice. You’re supposed to eat it with wasabi and soy sauce. Sure, it’s like sushi back home, but it’s kind of different from all the suckling pigs and Peking ducks that I’ve been having daily since Day One I was here. I’d rather stick to my yummy calamaris and beef balls :D

From left: Grace and myself.