Hotel / Resort / Homestay Review : Muo Resort, Muar

I came across this place when I was browsing through agoda website for hotel to stay during my trip to Muar. Looking at the good review, I decided to give a try.

picture source: google

If you getting bored staying at high rise type of hotel, go and have a short vacation here. It is located in Muar town. You will never expect to see this kind of resort in town.
I booked a deluxe double room and get a room just next to reception area.

picture source: google

There are chairs and tables in front of our room that we can have a rest while enjoying the night view. It is so peaceful and windy. We had a very good sleep that night, the pillow and mattress are super comfy up to 5 star hotel standard! Pillows are available for purchase too. We bought 2 pillows cause the price is reasonable. 

Breakfast can be ordered day before and there are 2 choices to choose from. It is only RM10/set. We can also eat the breakfast at the area in front of our room. 

picture source: google

The room with the glass wall area is where the karaoke room located. You can book the room with additional charges and enjoyvthe karaoke session with your family. 

There is also mini zoo at the back of the resort. Kids can enjoy as they are rabbits, deers and other animals too. 

Overall, I am very satisfied with my stay and planning to spend few days there again someday.

IEM Log Book Training Scheme (Mentor-Mentee Program)

This entry is made for both Graduate Engineers applying as Mentee and Professional Engineers applying as Mentor for IEM Engineering Competency Development (ECD), previously known as Log Book Training Scheme (LBTS).

As we know, graduate engineers need to have minimum 3 years of working experience after registered with BEM, in order to qualify for application of Professional Engineer. During these 3 years, some might not have been supervised by Lead Engineer with PE (Ir. title) that he needs to go through this Log Book Training Scheme. 

The new IEM ECD Mentorship Program Log File is available on IEM website.

So, next question is what is in the logbook? There are 5 sections as below: -

Section A: Particulars of Log Book Scheme

Section B: Summary of Practical Training and Experience

Section C: Practical Training Record (3 Months Period)

Section D: Courses Attended (Advisable)

Section E: Professional Career Development Activities

There are also 5 competency categories (with total of 18 sub-categories) that Mentee has to relate to Section B (Summary of Practical Training and Experience), which are: -

Competency Category A: Engineering Knowledge Application

Competency Category B: Problem Solving

Competency Category C: Management

Competency Category D: Interpersonal Skill

Competency Category E: Professional Ethics

Each record has to be made every 3 months, which PE (Mentor) has to stamp and sign. 

As for Section C (Practical Training Record), Mentee has to attach some sort of design calculation related to his/her daily task. 

Technical attendance records for talks, visits, seminars etc. shall be recorded for Section E (Professional Career Development Activities). As some might already know, effective 15 February 2016, the 60 hours course attendance and 30 units PDP hours requirement is no longer compulsary but applicants for P.I. applicants for P.I. must demonstrate proficiency in matters related to original 4 compulsory courses: -

1. Code of Ethics

2. Engineering Management Practice

3. Occupational Health & Safety at Work, Relevant By Laws & Regulations

4. Topics related to branch of Engineering (same discipline with Mentee)

After completing 3 years of this ECD program, Graduate Engineers shall be able to proceed with PI application.

Remember that, having this 3 years of Log Book Training Scheme, does not guarantee the Mentee to pass the Professional Interview, so good luck!

MIEM Certificate and Membership Card

Today I received an email from IEM regarding my MIEM certificate and membership which now ready for collection.

I have to settle these fees before they can released the cert and card: -

If you are wondering about the Library and Building Fund, yes, it compulsary to pay for that (I have call IEM to confirm).

Route to Professional Engineer - IEM Professional Interview (PI) Result

After 1 month attending the interview, I've been emailing IEM few times for my interview results. Having no reply, I made a phone call to follow up. The secretariat said that my result will be out on this particular date (which is exactly 2 months after the interview). Only then she can tell about my result. Since that date fall on Saturday, I've been trying to call then the friday before but still, they said I have to wait. I wait for the next working day to follow up.

And finally.........

Alhamdulillah.. I made it! I pass the interview and I can proceed with my Professional Engineer application with BEM once my Corporate IEM membership certificate is out. I am so happy that I manage to pass. The official email regarding my result and the IEM certificate will be ready in about 1 month from the date of the result. I have to wait patiently and hope that I will be able to get it the soonest possible.

IEM Professional Interview Questions - Essay Part B

In this entry, I will share with you the 13 questions that you will need to answer for essay

part B. Basically, all of these questions should be answered according to Regulations of Professional Conduct.

What is Regulations of Professional Conduct? It consists of points you need to study to be the basis for this essay. For example, engineers shall at all times avoid conflict of interest, only give advice on opinion in his/her area of expertise, and to always give the best opinion whenever asked. There are more points that you can refer from the IEM website. You can read the it on IEM website for your preparation.

Out of these 13 questions, we will be given only 2 questions, and we have to choose only 1 to answer.  Within one and half an hour, this essay need to be completed. In case you apply for interview under BEM (not IEM), the questions are irrelevant because the BEM question is not the same as the IEM question.

Please refer to those who have gone through BEM interview for reference.

Nursery @ Childcare @ Kindergarten review

I used to send my son to Taska Pusaka Ann located at Jalan Damai, KL when he was 4 months old. The kindergarten is placed at a bungalow lot at the peaceful Jalan Damai. It is an english based kindergarten owned by a chinese teacher. The owner has 2 assistants which will take care of all the kids there. Overall, it is a good place, easy to drop off and pick up your child, they provide logbook for the parents to monitor the child activities and development. The only bad factor that I decided to find other place for my baby is they always take long leave, for which working parents like us cannot afford.

After surveying for few places, I was then decided to enroll my child at Primrose Hill located at Avenue K (in front of KLCC). I was impressed when I went there for site visit. They allow parents to come freely at all time so we can at anytime see our child if we wish to. The fee is high, considering it's a frachise of a UK kindergarten, but I can guarantee you won't find any kindergarten in KL that can challenge their perfection. Diapers are provided, food (even puree for babies) are provided, and you will surely be happy of the kind of food they serve your kids. Fresh fruits, cheese, pasta, fresh milk etc. etc. etc. What I can say is, you get what you pay for with no regret.

At 18 months old, I decided to move my son to another kindergarten (due to economy crisis back in 2016). It was a sad decision to make. I found alternatives as to still get the best place for my child. I was then decided to send him to Graceful Hands located at Jalan Ampang Hilir. The fee is high also, but I take alternative to send him for 3 days/week on half day basis. I will pick up my son in the afternoon and send to baby sitter to take care of him.

I am also satisfied with Graceful Hands, as it provides the child with good activities including gymnastic class (even my child is not even 2yo). They have the schedule of letting the child play for 15 minutes at playground each day to start their session. My son really enjoyed the playground session, gymnastic class and dancing session.

In 2017, I got a job offer (short term) in Pasir Gudang, Johor. I send my son to babysitter at first until I found out that Brainy Bunch in Bandar Seri Alam can accept temporary student. I was then enrolled my son the BBIM Seri Alam. I was actually concern on my child english development because I used to send him to english kindergarten with the hope that he can speak english fluently. It was no regret that I found this BBIM. They are very strict in languange medium as they put a sign of 'English Speaking Area' at their entrance. It was a good experience for me and my son as he enjoy his days there. When it come to last day there, I was so sad to say goodbye as I feel that the teachers are really kind in taking care of my son.

Now we are back in Klang Valley, to be exact in Subang Jaya. My son is now in Real Kids. I am satisfied so far with his development. He likes the swimming class and dancing session. Cant wait for his first ever concert in October...

Route to Professional Engineer - IEM Professional Interview (PI)

Here comes the most awaited day, the Professional Interview day.  My interview was scheduled at Ingenieur building in Petaling Jaya. The 2 interviewers were already there when I arrived. They may be early because they have to discuss with each other regarding the interview session (my assumption 😊).

Then at 10am the interview starts. During the first hour, I was asked questions related to my work experience. Basically, all questions are based on my report sent to IEM. Alhamdulillah, I managed to answer their questions with flying colors (phewww). For essay writing, there are 2 parts. The first one is based on our technical experience. Another one is on code & ethics. I was given one and half an hour for each essay. To give a tip on how to answer the essay questions, we need to answer and describe as best as possible. Write a bit longer so that the examiner find it hard to fail you. Make sure you write the essay considering points of Regulations of Professional Conduct for engineers (refer to IEM website for details). 

In my next post, I will share questions for Part B of the essay so that you guys can make some preparation before the big day!