Bye-Bye 2008

If you had missed our annual-end-of-the-year-"high-tea" on the 31st of December, Year of the Rat; shame on you. But there we were gathered, once again, to usher a memorable year away. We had fun, we had tears, we were happy, we were scared - that is what life is all about anyway. We hope that you had enjoyed yours as much as we had ours.

The MENU.

Notice how the food are getting smaller.
the sambal was a hit. Perhaps scarcity make things tasted nicer.

The PEOPLE
Notice how we are getting bigger.
Chiam caught munching.

Harold and Amirul still wondering .. maybe their college's foods are more abundant in quantity and choices.

And outside the pantry door, there is a notice regarding the danger in eating mandarin oranges. Errrrr.... for me to know and for you to find out ;p

Happy New Year!

:: for those whose faces were not shown here, please feel free to leave a note.

HOW TO RENOVATE A HOUSE/OFFICE - by Bryan Lee

The process of renovation can be mind-bending. Just when you've decided to refinish the floors before painting the walls--you realize it makes more sense to do walls before floors. Or is it the other way around? Do you begin to see the problems? When renovating a house, there is an infinite number of ways to skin a cat. But following is one suggested whole house renovation timeline.

1. Design and Planning
Whether it's a sketch on a cocktail napkin or full-blown architectural plans, some type of planning and design always comes first.

2. Roof, Foundation, Siding, Windows
Protect your future renovation work by making certain the house won't collapse on you (foundation, major structural problems) and that it will remain dry (roof, siding windows).

3. Demolition
Depending on the scale of your renovations and the condition of the house, demolition might be the first step.

4. Structural Carpentry
At this time, call in the carpenters for major carpentry projects. Things like: Moving walls, constructing new walls, significantly enlarging window openings, Adding beams to support a greater weight upstairs, Punching in new doors (or removing existing doors).

5. HVAC Ductwork, Electrical, and Plumbing
With the walls and ceiling open, it's time for the HVAC company to install ductwork for central heating and air conditioning. Also with the walls accessible, run new electrical and plumbing systems. Electrical and plumbing inspectors will visit at this time, too.

6. Insulation
Last thing to do with the walls open: install fiberglass batt insulation in the walls and attic. Insulation goes fast, so give your drywaller a call and let him know he's next up.

7. Drywall
A second inspection from the electrical inspector (and perhaps the plumbing inspector) will give you the go-ahead to close up the walls. Drywallers hang sheets of drywall, apply drywall compound, and let the compound dry. After drying, they sand it smooth. Sometimes, they will repeat the process until they achieve a seamless surface.

8. Flooring
Installing the flooring later in the renovation process saves your flooring surface from significant damage.

9. Windows

10. Fine Carpentry
Here's where you introduce carpentry that doesn't involve structural issues. Install baseboards, molding, trim around windows and doors, built-in elements (bookcases, breakfast nooks, etc.).

11. Interior Painting, Wallpaper, and Other Surface Finishes

Painting interior walls, hanging wallpaper, painting molding and trim, staining and sealing trim: all of these detail-oriented surface finishes should be the last items you do indoors.

12. Siding, Gutters
With the house mostly finished, it's safe to put on siding. You don't want to do this earlier (unless absolutely necessary) because doors and windows may get punched out, ruining the siding.

13. Major Auxiliary Building
Last, do major auxiliary building projects like: Additions, Sunrooms, Swimming pools

Large building projects like additions should come last. My view is that you do this last so you don't deplete all of your money and energy on projects not related to renovating the house itself. However, an alternate view is that you may want to build an addition very early in the process so that you don't ruin any work you do in the main part of the house.

Keep It Real!

Amirul Ariffin Bin Kassim

Harold anak Mamat

Amirul and Harold are both from the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Unimas. They will be undergoing their third year industrial training with BDC for three months starting 30th December 2008.


:: Note their complexion before the industrial training.

Selamat Menyambut Maal Hijrah 1430H

Season Greetings

50th Anniversary Dinner 2008

Happy Eid Ul Adha

The Empty Lobby and Winter Babies

Almost half of the population was missing in action. The circular seem to take them by surprised; the notice at the entrance must have not caught their attention. And so, they missed out a lecture about the etiquette of the engineers.

Three main values:
1. Respect others.
2. Make judgement based on evidences and facts.
3. Do things for the good of all and not just for individual interest.

My apology if my summary is not that lengthy. I forgotten to bring forth anything to copy them down. Emmm.... tell me if I have to add a bit of this and that to make it more accurate. Or did I missed out the points?

With the retirement of Grace Ong, we had to source for a new MC. Not everybody is born to speak publicly, even if it is just amongst colleagues and friends. So the HR Planner has to seek for courses to train the next in-line. In the meantime, the ever-ready Puan Hajah Zaliha came to the rescue.

Puan Hajah Zaliha looking worried at her photo been taken. If she sees the outcome of this photo, she might be more worried. Oh Oh...

Encik Saberi took the honour of reciting the Rukunegara for the last General Assembly for the year. Maybe we should get the Chairman to recite the Rukunegara during the Annual Dinner. What say you guys?

We have only three Winter Babies left with Lau Ah Tze gone.

Encik Zaidi Dilah, the only Novemberian, showing off his unfinished curry puffs.

Encik Mohd Dollah and Puan Inie Bujang sharing December as their birthmonth.

Zainab and Joana, propective MC.
Send me your vote.

Suhaili Ahmad trying not to choke at all those teasing....

Our never-ending visitor on General Assembly Day, Tan Khoon Chin of Bodco Engineering - the one who did Samarindah, phone number 01985906xx. We offered him to return back to BDC but surely we can't afford him anymore.

ISO 9001 : 2000 Certification of Registration

As of 18 November 2008, we are pleased to announce that we have received the Certification of Registration for assessing our QMS against ISO 9001 : 2000 for Provision of Project Management Services for Civil Engineering and Building Services.

If you want something badly, work on it objectively. Even if you don't get everything, you will gain much valued experiences in the process of working towards your goals.

Boulevard Roadshow 2008

The Marketing Team held a roadshow at the Boulevard Shopping Mall, Kuching on November 15 - 16 to promote properties newly available at Stakan Perdana and Hakka Avenue.

9 units of double-storey terrace houses at Stakan Perdana, pricing around RM234,000 each are available for booking. Houses are expected to be completed by April next year. Located about 6 kilometers from Kota Sentosa or about 10 miles from Kuching Center, the units can be purchased on BDC's Loan for eligible purchasers. The newly completed Perpustakaan Desa Stakan Jaya is a walking distant away.

Houses ranging from RM269,000 with a 7 meter frontage is available for those looking for properties in the 5th Mile radius from Kuching City centre. These 17 units of double storey terraces should be ready by June 2009. Two units of corner lots are also available for sale. The properties can either be accessed through Jalan Stampin Tengah Lorong 10 or the 5th Mile Kuching/Serian Road. The Green Cold Storage is a few minutes drive away.

Zainal entertaining queries from a couple. Julia and Zaidi looked on.

Suhaili looking at his watch, getting ready for his shift.

Mohd Dollah (right), Jorinah and Suhaili Mat handling queries from the lady in blue.

Also available are a few units of vacant lands for industrial buildings at Stakan Jaya Industrial Estate.

All queries are welcome at 082-452958.

Comes One, Comes All

Visit us at out exhibition booth at Boulevard Shopping Mall, Off Jalan Kuching/Serian Road, this Saturday and Sunday (15 - 16 November'08).

For early birds, ask for Stakan Perdana and you might be surprised that there are houses out there that is not going to burst your budget! At those prices, it would not be there for long.

For teachers or parents with little kiddys, there is a newly constructed library across the street.

For those who loves to make a little bit of noise, ask for our

"Centropus Sanctuary"

サンクチュアリ.

The heavy metal band is not here on a roadshow but we can always strung something or two.

Yes, "Centropus Sanctuary"
サンクチュアリ for those who dare!!!!!!

And I shall be there

Is it going to be hard to say good bye?

After almost four decades of service, she retires to be with the things that are more precious to her heart and it isn't football.

She is actually very tired but her love for BDC has made her stayed a little bit longer, a little bit longer when her heart was half way around the globe. She talked about her leaving almost a decade ago. She talked about taking classes and getting a degree to her name. And she mentioned about not inviting me to her next wedding - her everlasting wedding in three years time. She said she is not going to wear white but red like the colour she is going to dye her hair or was it the colour that she is going to shower herself with. The colour of fire - to keep her feeling sexy. Not yellow on that day.

Her last day was indeed a very sad day for most of us. She was the ever polite Grace who would take you to places where she has gone before - her stories were endless. Her description of things were almost picture perfect. She was not scared to try, to up challenges and to learn a trick or two. She even climbed Mount Murut - yes indeed she did - to conquer her quest of the unknown. That is how I would like to remember her by - undefeated.

So is it hard to say good bye?
Yes. Silence is golden for they don't turn to watery droplets that trashes down like rain.


The best writer in BDC had a change of heart and therefore dear people, be warned that the upcoming articles would be street-smart materials rather than how articles are meant to be written.

A bouquet of jasmine for the eyes

BDC Sport Club 16th AGM

BDC Sport Club held its Sixteen (16th) Annual General Meeting on the 1st of November 2008 at Hilton Hotel. The outgoing Chairman, Puan Zainab Raja Amrin, and her committee presented their reports together with the Advisor, Encik Affandi Keli.

From L>R: Julia Nandos, Pauline Lim, Siti Zubaidah Abdullah @ Evelyn Achan, Encik Affandi Keli, Saberi Kassim, Zainab Raja Amrin, Mary Kiew, Jorinah Amin, Zainal Abidin Rosli and Lim Chee Hiong

The biennial election for the new committee was later held with Encik Suhaili Ahmad acting as Election Chairman.

Scenes from the AGM:

Zaidi's girls.

Joana and Eve's Girls

Suhaili counting the votes.

The New Committee 2008 - 2010
Chiam Heng Min (Chairman)
Zainal Abidin Rosli (Vice Chairman)
Julia Nandos (Honourary Secretary)
Joana Lisa (Assistant Secretary)
Inie Bujang (Treasurer)
Mary Kiew (Assistant Treasurer)
Ngo Lay Yong (Auditor)

Committee Members
Ahmad Mahmud
Jorinah Amin
Saberi Kassim
Hamdan Hj Mos

Not in the picture: Inie Bujang (Treasurer) & Ngo Lay Yong (Auditor)

Autumn babies in 2008

" Today is my birthday..." - Suhaili with spectacles.

"Interesting colours..." - Zainab, lady in black.

"emmm....cuts like a knife..."

a very colourful cake.

Rukunegara

Suhaili leading the recitation of the Rukunegara on his birthday.
His six decades on earth.
In the chinese zodiac, he completed the 12 animals, 5 metals circle.

Of Rukunegara and your citizenship status.

If you can't by heart the Rukunegara, call yourself not a Malaysian.

For that is the creed of the nation, to uphold till death do you part.

And if you think otherwise, please declare your interest and start choosing your new adopted country to love and to hold. Just for your information, the United Kingdom is kicking out non-citizens.

Inaugural Speech

Everything begins with the first - first time, first speech, first shoe lashes...
And that very first time is always something to remember. However, taking the first step might not be as difficult as it looks. It is just the not-knowing that is a little bit nerves wrecking. So, take that first step. You just don't know what lies ahead.



Ir Dr John Panil during the recent General Assembly, giving his maiden speech as Acting General Manager of BDC.

Four more days to Certification

The Certification Audit was carried out on 22 - 23 October 2008 by Excel Practice Certification Sdn Bhd using UKAS. The two days were pretty amusingly educational.

The Certification Auditor was very experience and has very simple ways of explaining the confusing system. A day with him beats the so many times we attended the ISO 9001:2000 related courses and came back still blank. As he said, paying a little bit more for a certain service might be cheaper than accepting the lowest quotation.

Emmm.... paying a bit more for real estate by us might be cheaper than buying the cheapest from the rest of the market.

Tuan Haji Nazri Abdul Rani receiving some token of appreciation from our Acting General Manager, Dr John Panil (2nd right). Also seen from left to right are our Document Controller, Puan Joana Lisa, Encik Mohd Dollah Saet, Encik Zainal Abidin Rosli, Tuan Haji, Encik Suhaili Ahmad, Dr John and the Internal Auditor, Encik John Sheu.

Four more days before we are certified!! Yes.