When I was a small kid my favourite toy used to be the LEGO sets. I still remember my first lego set was an F1 car, only about 15-20 pieces that needed to be assembled. Slowly, my parents started buying me more legos and my collection started to multiply.

Years went by and I started to grow, but the interest for Legos was still there. So I decided to pass my toys to my little brother , knowing that when I wanted, I can still play them. Then we went to UK in the early 1997, where my brother got a big container of legos, the type that had a flat mat and you could build a house, or even an entire mansion on it. I was 16 years old then, but that did not stop me from playing it.

Last week, KLCC had LEGO to feature at the stage at the center of the shopping mall. I was really amazed at the creations that they built, wonders of the world and so on. It brought me back to my childhood. Below are some photos that we were able to capture during that visit. Maybe the next I’ll be able to play with LEGO is when I buy them for my children.

Having trouble to sleep yesterday night and constantly needing to go to the toilet (as I was having a terible diarrhea) made me wonder, what extend of capacity that I was able to take my mind to.

Earlier the day before, I was having a conversation with a work colleague that it has been ages since we played the Chess, and both started comparing how well we used to be at chess during our school times. That night as I was about to doze off, I decided to go to my level (I will explain this in future post). At this level, I believe that I, and probably many others can Imagine an event and making it seem so real. I wouldn’t say it’s fantasy land, but somewhere in between fantasy and reality.

The intention of this mind exercise, was to play chess without having the physical board. It took me about 30 minutes to create a clear picture of the board in my mind, the board alone took so long as my concentration was bringing me back to reality. Somehow I managed to hold on the the image of the board. Then slowly placing the piece on the board, black pieces first, then the white ones. Once that was complete, I was able to rotate the board with the pieces on it 3-dimensionally. Imagine turning the board upside down, while the pieces are still intact. Takes alot of concentration and believe.

Finally I started playing chess with myself. I have this habit of splitting myself into 2, the so called bad side and good side. First I had to try the famous “4 Step”, it was hard trying to remember in mind where the pieces were moved to. Many times I had to track back to retrace the moves. But as I was doing it more, the easier it became.

Sadly, I was not able to stay awake until the game was over. Getting up in the morning, still wondering how I managed to play chess in my mind. Is it possible to play chess like this with another person who is connected in the zone? Wonders of the Mind.

When I started work with Antara Holiday Villa mid of 2006, I managed to recommend a friend for a post too. The E-marketing Executive, a new position that was created to handle all the online reservation and online travel agent.

Mr Azam, a friend, a college mate, and a work colleague. After nearly 4 years with the company, he has a better offer at another company located nearer to his residence. With that,  he has decided to leave Holiday Villa. I believe he has learnt alot during his 4 years here. Not only in terms of the job scope itself, but in many other ways. The most challenging one was to work under pressure with a boss who is not only fussy all the time, but quite demanding.

Frankly, the company seem to be paying peanuts for the amount of work that we are currently assigned with. I was asked during the interview, where do you see yourself in 5 years time. My reply was, start up a company and run my own business in the designing and printing industry, not knowing that this may actually be a reality. 4 years in the company, and I’m starting to be sick of the routine job that I go through everyday.

Azam has taken his step in establishing a better future for him and his family. I going to miss him in many ways. I’m going to miss the times when we use to just sit and chat about absolutely anything, no matter whether it was work related, or a gossip. I wish him all the best and hope that one day we will setup a business together.

To know more about Azam and his activities, do visit his website at www.weblogku.com.