Charlotte Monterio

Charlotte Monterio, 28, lives in Taman Setia Tropika, Johor Baru, with her husband Eric Yap, 31, and two-and-a half-year-old son Kai. Her second son is due in March.

 

Charlotte Monterio

A LOT of people think that the life of a public relations officer is filled with glamour. We get to meet people from the media, and entertain guests. Well, there is definitely more to that.

When I first joined the hotel industry after graduating from Universiti Sains Malaysia in August 2008, I was so frustrated I cried every single day. Working life was so different from campus days.

The first hotel I worked in was Dorsett Hotel Johor Baru, now known as Silka Johor Baru. As a public relations officer, I had to meet people, which was something that I enjoyed doing as I love to talk. In school, I was the most talkative girl in my class, and the noisiest of five sisters in my family. So being a public relations officer was just right for me, although I was to discover that one had to also be creative and versatile in other areas.

When I first joined the hotel industry, I was very fortunate to meet and work with Tengku Ahmad Faizal Tengku Mohamed, who was then the resident manager of Dorsett before he joined Pulai Springs Resort as its general manager. Tengku Ahmad Faizal was the one who first interviewed me, and he said: "I can see that you don't have the experience but you have the 'can-do' attitude." I did not know then that a public relations officer also had to design restaurant menus, handle all the decorations in the food and beverage outlets, come up with all kinds of creative ideas as well as go out and buy the decorations. I did not have any assistant, which meant I had to do everything myself.

 If I wanted a signage or decoration put up at the entrance of a food and beverage outlet, I had to climb up the ladder to put it there myself. But Tengku Ahmad Faizal encouraged and motivated me, and pretty soon, I was no longer a "cry baby." Whatever my bosses wanted me to do, I would just do it to the best of my ability. If I did not know how to do it, I would surf the Internet for the solution. Subsequently, I left to join a property development company but lasted only five months. I will never want another desk job that was so different from being in the hotel line. Hoteliers are so friendly and warm. They operate like one big happy family with the sole aim of making guests feel welcomed and relaxed. For that reason, I happily re-joined the hotel industry.

This time, I went to the Pulai Springs Resort and seven months after joining, I was promoted from senior public relations officer to assistant marcom manager. Last year, I was promoted to marcom manager for both Pulai Springs Resort and the Pulai Desaru Beach and Spa, both subsidiaries of the Pulai Group. I now have a team working under me. I am very grateful to Tengku Ahmad Faizal for believing in me. Now, I share with myteam members my experiences to motivate them. I know how hard it is for someone who has just joined the workforce.

Charlotte at work

I was born and bred in the Portuguese Settlement in Malacca, which I left behind when I went to further my studies in Penang. After that, I came to work in Johor Baru. Initially, I hardly went anywhere after work because of all the crime stories that one heard about. It took me a year before I had enough courage to go out for walks by myself. Then I met my husband Eric Yap and we married in December 2008.

Read more: Like working among family members - Johor - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/johor/like-working-among-family-members-1.413222#ixzz2lnemcS26

Fung Lee Jean

Me and Lee Jean. Pix by MK Ong.

She is the personification of  joy and positivity.

Fung Lee Jean, 55, is ... I don't even know where to start ... she wears so many hats and has achieved so much in her life.

She is someone who believes in lifelong learning.  She is a pharmacist by profession, and is one of the directors of My Pharmacy (Malaysia) which currently has 13 outlets throughout Johor.

In 2009, she received the Pharmacist-Entrepreneur of the Year award from the Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society. She holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the Strathclyde University (1998) and is a recipient of the Tun Hussein Onn Renewal Award (THORA).

She has participated in the Patch Adams’ Clowning and Caring project in Mexico in April 2010.  She invited me to join her and her friends for the trip to Mexico, but I'm not that much into clowning.  Err, I've tried it once and didn't quite feel comfortable in clown costume. I'm more drawn to melancholy.

But Lee Jean loves it --- clowning and spreading joy to people. I'll just spread joy, hopefully through my writings. If I can move someone, inspire one soul to do good or feel happiness, that will be enough for me.

Ok, back to Lee Jean. She has conducted numerous clown workshops and participated in fundraising events. She was also a delegate of the Women Peace Group to North Korea in 2007.  She is also an accredited trainer with Specialist Management Resources Malaysia.

In August 2008, she was trained by Dr Madan Kataria as a Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher (CLYT) in Melbourne, Australia, which enables her to train participants for the Certified Laughter Yoga Leader (CLYL) programme.

She encouraged me to enrol in the programme, but I'm not much into laughing either.

Lee Jean wants Laughter groups to sprout in all parks and gardens of Johor Bahru. Her wish may just come true as such groups are mushrooming over the years.  Come World Laughter Day, and you will see the growing number of participants.

Although Lee Jean had a happy carefree childhood, she told me that there was a time when she forgot how to laugh.  That was in 1991 when she was building her career.

"It was all work and no play.  I totally forgot how to laugh because I was working so hard," she said.

Today, she strongly believes that laughter is the best medicine even though she is in the business of selling prescription drugs. ‎

"Even when your heart is bleeding, just laugh as your body will not be able to know the difference between real and fake laughter," she continued.

Have I mentioned that Lee Jean is also a toastmaster?  She persuaded me to join that too, but I'm not  interested in public speaking either.  Hehehe.

see if you can tell which one is Me. I mean which one is Lee Jean.

I may not like clowning, laughing and public speaking all that much, but I do love having fun!!!

Another Heartwarming Night

Ho Yue Wen is only 6 years old, but she exudes confidence and maturity beyond her years. I went backstage to talk to her and her mother, Anna Ang, 41. Both of them had performed at the 53rd anniversary celebration charity dinner of the Johor Cheshire Home tonight. Anna, who has amazing vocal prowess, has been singing for some 20 years. She said Yue Wen picked up singing skills from following her around.

Johor Cheshire Home president Dr. Ng Ben Chuan said the dinner was aimed to raise RM80,000 for the home which currently houses 38 residents age 13 to 72, who are physically disabled or mentally challenged.  The monthly maintenance cost is between RM30,000 and RM35,000. 

The federal government gives an annual grant of RM75,000 and the Johor state government RM30,000 for food only.  The other expenses are from public donations and funds raised by volunteers.  Dr Ben, a dentist by profession, is seen here with 38-year-old Hairani, who has been a resident of the home for the past 20 years.

And here's MK Ong, Fung Lee Jean and Goh Siew Mei with the Dhool performers who call themselves .Jigri Yaar Bhangra.

Last but not least, yours truly wants to say a big "Thank You" for another special night.

Johor Cheshire Home is located at Jalan Jumaat Kg. Ungku Mohsin Johor Bahru Johor Malaysia 80350 Tel : +607-237 1335.

A Night That Sizzles and Dazzles

The Charity Concert Night, organised in conjunction with the 25th annversary of Lions Club of Johor Bahru Metro was an evening that sizzles and dazzles.

Talented Cousins

This is 15-year-old Tan Yu Ling playing the violin with her cousin James Wong, 17, on piano performing the song "Zombie" with great gusto.  James' 10-year-old brother Job, was also on stage playing the drums.  James later sang "Hallelujah" which drew huge applause.

The Fan

Shella (second from left) became an instant fan of Yu Ling, James and Job.  Better to get a snapshot now before the talented trio rocket to stardom.

Other perforrmances which captivated me were Dennis Tan's version of 一剪梅 and Ye Liming's rendition of 帝女花.

Held at Wisma Tiong-Hua in Taman Sri Tebrau, Johor Baru, the evening also saw performances by the Johor Bahru Chamber Choir, Southern Chinese Orchestra and R ezonance Harmonica Ensemble, among others. District 308 B1 Governor Lau Teng Chye and Past District Governor Laylay Loh were also seen at the event.

The concert raised RM2,000 for the victims of the Super Typhoon Haiyan which hit the Philippines on Nov 8, and RM1,000 each for the JB Renal Care Foundation and Lions Eye Clinic respectively.

MK Ong (left) beaming with delight.

Lau Teng Chye (right) and Laylay Loh (centre).

And this is me with the vivacious emcee Tricia Loh.

Keep up the good work Lions.  Roar! Roar! Roar!  

Conquering Self

This is the rainbow that I saw this morning while making my way to the summit of Gunung Pulai.  I was there three weeks ago In the Woods  and  today I am here again with Anthony, May and Nona Shella.

I need to thank Anthony and May once again, for patiently waiting for me for nearly three hours at the foot of Gunung Pulai.

We reached there at 6.35am and immediately started the hike.  But Anthony and May reached the top way before me and Shella.  However, I was determined to conquer Gunung Pulai.  I wanted to see what was at the summit. And I wanted to strengthen my "ichinen" (determination or one life moment).

Along the way, I saw this rainbow which according to popular belief, symbolises good luck, peace and love. 

I didn't expect to find a telecommunication tower at the peak. Shella and I sat on top of a rock for a moment before starting the descent from the summit.

In total, we had walked 10km, as it was 5km up and 5km down Gunung Pulai, which stands 654m above sea level.,

It was not just the conquering of  Gunung Pulai.  Because as I was reaching the top, I was chiding myself and thinking thoughts like: "Today's a public holiday in Johor. Should've slept longer instead." "All the aches and pain for what?" "Could've gone shopping instead or find a good book to indulge in at My Library".

But at the end ....
 

That's me indulging in a sense of achievement of having reached the top and having conquered self.

Still lots of conquering to do (fundamental darkness hehehe) but that's for another day.

For now, I just need to soak my sore feet in a tub of warm water with sea salt, which was given by May.  Let me take this opportunity to once again thank her and Anthony for their patience and benevolence.  I promise I will improve my endurance and stamina, so that I can reach the summit in a shorter time. 

Can indulging in salmon increase stamina? Omega-3 fatty acids improves blood circulation, right? I'm reminiscencing my wonderful stay at the Pulai Desaru Beach Resort and Spa.

CRAVING...Grilled salmon on garlic boiled potato with sauteed vegetable served with lemongrass butter sauce available at the Palm Brasserie of the resort, followed by a serving of fresh fruits to finish off the meal.

My Library

Nona Shella at My Library

Visited the newly-opened library at the Sutera Mall.

Both the library and the shopping mall are owned by Tanah Sutera Development Sdn Bhd.

The library is a a joint collaboration between Tanah Sutera and  Cybrarian Ventures Pte Ltd, a wholly-owned company of the National Library Board of Singapore.

I love being surrounded by books. This community library, with a cosy ambience and advanced library management system, has a good selection of Bahasa Malaysia, English and Chinese books --- fiction,  non-fiction, audio-visual titles, etc. There are also computers with Internet access and rooms for discussions and seminars.

The library is located on the 4th floor (East Wing) of the shopping mall, which has been been set aside for culture-and education-related events.

Admission is free, but only members can take the books home.  The membership fee varies according to age, and foreigners have to pay a higher rate than local residents.

This is a nice little video done by Fung Lee Jean about the library. Lovely song.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QxBCEfyN34  That's her on my left.  Also in the picture are (from left) Beryl Kua, MK Ong and on far right (seated), Teresa Yeo.

Having a hearty haha day with friends.