Recently obtained news of a departure of someone in NTU Dragonboating of 06 batch from Butler's msn nick. Visited the blog set up for people to place thoughts and memories of him just a few days ago. Although i realised that i didn't know him personally, felt a bit sad that he has passed on at a relatively young age.
Then yesterday read the news of 5 Singaporean dragonboaters who went missing after the boat capsized. Then met yongxi and got to know that we know one of them personally, as a matter of fact, yongxi just had lunch with 'ba gey' last Monday. Double confirmed that when we read the front cover of 晚報 in the late afternoon.
40 hours and still not found, i really hope that they have drifted down the river and are rescued by some fishermen or villagers downstream, but they have not contacted the authorities yet. Looking at them activating the divers, my heart sinks. Just like the RSS Courageous incident years back.
Somehow, the news of the death of someone i know doesn't seem to affect me that much already. During my close brush with death, I got to know quite a number of fellow cancer patients, survivors and volunteers. As chemo was on a fixed schedule, i get to see the same people every time i went back for treatment, then after a while, they stopped coming. So sometimes i ask the nurses if they had recovered, some yes, some no. Also know of a few who are terminally ill, and are only on painkillers and fighting on with their positive spirits.
So to date, quite a number of people i know or came in contact with had passed on, but i realised that i should concentrate on the living. To feel sadness and keep them alive in my memory (thats why i am wearing my grandmother's ring constantly, for she had given me strength to fight on even after she had passed away), but i will move on with life, to help as many people, not only cancer survivors, as possible. A sad reminder to live life to the fullest at every single moment.
I pray for a miracle that somehow, they will be found downstream, injured but alive. And to get a second chance in life.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Saturday, November 24, 2007
2 days in hotel environment = fat
Thursday was my department away day, where the goals and actions for 2008 were discussed and set. Got to know more about the people within my department, what they do etc etc. Also got to know what my own deliverables would be, why 'would'? Cos i get to decide on the finer details. =)
Thus had breakfast, buffet lunch AND buffet dinner at the Royal Plaza hotel on Thursday, fantastic food and atmosphere. The chatting part was very nice too as i got to know more about my manager, Chow and project head, P.S. Learnt stuff and got stuffed over all the good food too! =p
Today was much more interesting as it was a mentor/mentee workshop, where we were introduced to the program and some broad guidelines about it. The best part was that (apart from the food), the trainer used an hour to show us a DVD on Jack Canfield's book on Success principles, to introduce us on how to be successful. =)
I found that to be very interesting and useful in personal development. Although some are known principles and many are aware, but not much people have the discipline to enforce them. To a certain extent, i realised that i have implemented some of the principles and with this book, i get a chance to know what i dont know and also to further clarify and improve on my current ones. =) Also asked about what/how should i approach in learning skills that will enable me to help and encourage cancer patients and family to fight on, be positive during the tough times. But all in all, that will be a long term goal and i hope my passion to help others will stay with me throughout my stay on planet Earth AND continue in other survivors after me (of course after i die of old age =D). Some plans in my head, will make time for it and to make it grow somehow. =)
Thus after a long lunch talking to the trainer, Mr Mak, i headed off to Kinokuniya? to look for the book, couldn't find it, thus went down to Borders to buy before heading to bugis to visit Guan Yin temple at 'four horses road' for some prayers.
Here's the picture of the book and a near 1st time at a 地湖 in mahjong.. so close. =P
Thus had breakfast, buffet lunch AND buffet dinner at the Royal Plaza hotel on Thursday, fantastic food and atmosphere. The chatting part was very nice too as i got to know more about my manager, Chow and project head, P.S. Learnt stuff and got stuffed over all the good food too! =p
Today was much more interesting as it was a mentor/mentee workshop, where we were introduced to the program and some broad guidelines about it. The best part was that (apart from the food), the trainer used an hour to show us a DVD on Jack Canfield's book on Success principles, to introduce us on how to be successful. =)
I found that to be very interesting and useful in personal development. Although some are known principles and many are aware, but not much people have the discipline to enforce them. To a certain extent, i realised that i have implemented some of the principles and with this book, i get a chance to know what i dont know and also to further clarify and improve on my current ones. =) Also asked about what/how should i approach in learning skills that will enable me to help and encourage cancer patients and family to fight on, be positive during the tough times. But all in all, that will be a long term goal and i hope my passion to help others will stay with me throughout my stay on planet Earth AND continue in other survivors after me (of course after i die of old age =D). Some plans in my head, will make time for it and to make it grow somehow. =)
Thus after a long lunch talking to the trainer, Mr Mak, i headed off to Kinokuniya? to look for the book, couldn't find it, thus went down to Borders to buy before heading to bugis to visit Guan Yin temple at 'four horses road' for some prayers.
Here's the picture of the book and a near 1st time at a 地湖 in mahjong.. so close. =P
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Squeezed out in the last 15 mins...
Today was a race against time, starting in the early morning as I just missed the feeder bus just in front of my flat. Had to brisk walk to the next bus stop about 400m away which have more options and took a bus to a bus stop NEAR the MRT station. After which i had to again brisk walk to the station, buying my usual breakfast item: Cheese+pork floss+sausage bun, along the way.
Managed to hop on to the scheduled train, allowing me to reach Jurong East at 7.27am. Alighted from the train, rushed down to catch the company bus which leaves at 7.30 sharp. after all that rushing, i was about 30 secs early as i watched the clock turn to 7.30 the moment i sat down. =P
With one more outstanding assignment left, didn't want to leave it undone for the week, so i rushed it. Finding relevant drawings/data from the design office and printing/scanning them. My first time scanning a A0 size drawing and printing it out on A3. =) The lady at the design office was extremely helpful and the young chap too. Will need to get their names soon.. so pai say. =p
Next was compiling the data and then checking with Mr Li what else was needed. He pointed out the missing required data (luckily i only missed out 2 items) and also wanted to add in a bunch of data with some colour printing required. Thanks to the help of Cindy, managed to get them printed out in the ONLY colour printer in the building. Obtained more help from Cindy in getting files and borrowing the label printer to tag the data nicely before getting it sent out via DHL to people in KL just after 5pm. heh. Thus i learnt a lot from my friendly colleagues yet again! =D
Oh...one last thing i realised i didnt do was to put my overalls to laundry service. i think i left it on clement's chair.. cos i was rushing off to catch the 5.20pm company bus out. =P heh heh. In the end, still missed out one thing. Looks like i have to wait till Monday before getting it sent out for washing. Hope Clement dont get back before me, else so pai say. Leaving my overalls on his seat. =/
Back to the main topic...had bid for COE today, putting my reserve price at $101 and everything was going smoothly until the last 15 mins, where the bids just flooded in and whoosh! Up it went, to the upper range of my prediction of $14,000. Must be the car dealers playing cos for the goods vehicle, from $1, immediately up to $10,001. If you are a normal person, you would have had bid for less right? tsk tsk. Wait for next month... today mkt drop, oil reaching $100/barrel. Should be less people playing. =D
Managed to hop on to the scheduled train, allowing me to reach Jurong East at 7.27am. Alighted from the train, rushed down to catch the company bus which leaves at 7.30 sharp. after all that rushing, i was about 30 secs early as i watched the clock turn to 7.30 the moment i sat down. =P
With one more outstanding assignment left, didn't want to leave it undone for the week, so i rushed it. Finding relevant drawings/data from the design office and printing/scanning them. My first time scanning a A0 size drawing and printing it out on A3. =) The lady at the design office was extremely helpful and the young chap too. Will need to get their names soon.. so pai say. =p
Next was compiling the data and then checking with Mr Li what else was needed. He pointed out the missing required data (luckily i only missed out 2 items) and also wanted to add in a bunch of data with some colour printing required. Thanks to the help of Cindy, managed to get them printed out in the ONLY colour printer in the building. Obtained more help from Cindy in getting files and borrowing the label printer to tag the data nicely before getting it sent out via DHL to people in KL just after 5pm. heh. Thus i learnt a lot from my friendly colleagues yet again! =D
Oh...one last thing i realised i didnt do was to put my overalls to laundry service. i think i left it on clement's chair.. cos i was rushing off to catch the 5.20pm company bus out. =P heh heh. In the end, still missed out one thing. Looks like i have to wait till Monday before getting it sent out for washing. Hope Clement dont get back before me, else so pai say. Leaving my overalls on his seat. =/
Back to the main topic...had bid for COE today, putting my reserve price at $101 and everything was going smoothly until the last 15 mins, where the bids just flooded in and whoosh! Up it went, to the upper range of my prediction of $14,000. Must be the car dealers playing cos for the goods vehicle, from $1, immediately up to $10,001. If you are a normal person, you would have had bid for less right? tsk tsk. Wait for next month... today mkt drop, oil reaching $100/barrel. Should be less people playing. =D
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
2 assignments completed ... =P
Completed 2 assignments today, one more to wrap up by tomorrow as I will not be in office on both Thurs and Fri. This thurs will be a department away day at some hotel along Orchard Rd and friday will be going to yet another hotel for a mentor workshop for half a day.
The away day will be goal setting for 2008, where i would probably have some targets to achieve or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) within the department. heh. Wonder what it would be and interesting to achieve those, and to also use it as my personal indicators to determine my performance.
As for the mentor workshop, hmmm... dont have much idea about it except that i now know more about my very own personal strategic style after having completed a series of questionnaire and receiving a report about my responses. Cool huh? =D Thus as of now, i scored highest in the ranges of a Logical Processor and Hypothetical Analyzer. heh. Knowing oneself is half a battle won... and i think the results of the questionnaire is rather accurate in reflecting my style. At least now i know how i think and where my focus lies. =D
And have prepared for battle tomorrow afternoon, where my treasure chest have been filled for bidding for COE IF and ONLY IF the price is about $100. hehe .. cos i plan to bid at $101, hoping that the current high oil price, high ERP rates and shaky stock markets will deter car buyers from buying, although there should be an overflow of orders from the previous COE bidding. Thus think COE about 12~14k again .. but better be ready just in case of flukes happening. =D
The away day will be goal setting for 2008, where i would probably have some targets to achieve or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) within the department. heh. Wonder what it would be and interesting to achieve those, and to also use it as my personal indicators to determine my performance.
As for the mentor workshop, hmmm... dont have much idea about it except that i now know more about my very own personal strategic style after having completed a series of questionnaire and receiving a report about my responses. Cool huh? =D Thus as of now, i scored highest in the ranges of a Logical Processor and Hypothetical Analyzer. heh. Knowing oneself is half a battle won... and i think the results of the questionnaire is rather accurate in reflecting my style. At least now i know how i think and where my focus lies. =D
And have prepared for battle tomorrow afternoon, where my treasure chest have been filled for bidding for COE IF and ONLY IF the price is about $100. hehe .. cos i plan to bid at $101, hoping that the current high oil price, high ERP rates and shaky stock markets will deter car buyers from buying, although there should be an overflow of orders from the previous COE bidding. Thus think COE about 12~14k again .. but better be ready just in case of flukes happening. =D
Sunday, November 18, 2007
wedding, mahjong and winning 11 ... and my 1st paycheck from Shell
Thats how i spent this weekend.. =) The wedding lunch at a church at Fort Canning was nice, Jingling's wedding. Hitched a ride on Guifa's Jazz with Wheng and did some catching up with the successful boss, whose business had grown over the pass 4~6 years. Power. =D
After that was meeting yongxi and roy for dinner and winning 11 all the way till 11pm. Talk about fanatic. =P Chatted and relived the good old exam period during our final year where we played winning 11 every night when roy stayed over. Actually, we played winning 11 every single day when we were in hall. =P haha...
Then it was mahjong with fen, yongxi, wheng and i after the gals came back from the wedding dinner till 4 in the morning. And yx displayed his gentlemanly ways by sending fen back, much to our pleasant surprise. And we slept till 8 in the morning before heading over to Neptune Court to transport quite a bit of stuff. hmmm...
Headed back to Bedok for dessert at 85 market, where i get to meet my god-mother and say hi. =D Before back to more winning 11 with yongxi at Clearwater. Played till lunch where we had kfc with yx and his brother issac and some business talks. Watched hong kong drama serials and then napped before meeting my parents for dinner (Of course, yx and bro left for motor show after the HK serials. =P).
Since i obtained my 1st pay (strictly speaking not my 1st paycheck, but it IS a 5 year break since my last... =D), treated my family and wheng to dinner and also gave some allowance to my mom. Heh.. starting pay and i can afford to give her more than i could when i was back in the Navy... looks like having a degree does bring in more $$. So can spend more on family.. which is why i am rather hesitant on buying a car. Waiting for the lucky strike when i can win one ... =D
Well .... that's it to my packed weekend. =D A weekend well spent. Although next time will try to squeeze in some time at NUH as volunteer or at the hospice near woodbridge. Its a long time since i went there liao. hmmm.....
After that was meeting yongxi and roy for dinner and winning 11 all the way till 11pm. Talk about fanatic. =P Chatted and relived the good old exam period during our final year where we played winning 11 every night when roy stayed over. Actually, we played winning 11 every single day when we were in hall. =P haha...
Then it was mahjong with fen, yongxi, wheng and i after the gals came back from the wedding dinner till 4 in the morning. And yx displayed his gentlemanly ways by sending fen back, much to our pleasant surprise. And we slept till 8 in the morning before heading over to Neptune Court to transport quite a bit of stuff. hmmm...
Headed back to Bedok for dessert at 85 market, where i get to meet my god-mother and say hi. =D Before back to more winning 11 with yongxi at Clearwater. Played till lunch where we had kfc with yx and his brother issac and some business talks. Watched hong kong drama serials and then napped before meeting my parents for dinner (Of course, yx and bro left for motor show after the HK serials. =P).
Since i obtained my 1st pay (strictly speaking not my 1st paycheck, but it IS a 5 year break since my last... =D), treated my family and wheng to dinner and also gave some allowance to my mom. Heh.. starting pay and i can afford to give her more than i could when i was back in the Navy... looks like having a degree does bring in more $$. So can spend more on family.. which is why i am rather hesitant on buying a car. Waiting for the lucky strike when i can win one ... =D
Well .... that's it to my packed weekend. =D A weekend well spent. Although next time will try to squeeze in some time at NUH as volunteer or at the hospice near woodbridge. Its a long time since i went there liao. hmmm.....
Friday, November 16, 2007
me .. all alone? *gasp*
The horror ... my supervisor headed back home early today as he was feeling unwell with headache. I hope that his vaccination works and he will not get infected with chicken pox. Else that will mean that i will be the ONLY rotating engineer around, with no one to get assistance from. Scary? a fair bit. Exciting? a good bit.
I would rather he be around to guide if stuff crops up, else i will be the only RE during morning meetings with ops and maintenance people. And i can ask for more assignments to handle once i finish up the two i have on hand. One was requested for yesterday and the other was tasked with today. Good 'work out' as i learnt quite a bit more on mechanical seals by doing so. The AIT with Flowserve and getting a report up on seals on site. Previous reading done in my first few days and explanation from Clement was the required basics, and i moved on to looking at failure reports and usage of different plans for different situations.
To think.. never been exposed to mechanical seals in the academic world, and it is such an important equipment for usage of pumps and motors. Maybe it is more used for this particular industry. Hmmm.. nonetheless, the working principle is rather interesting actually, although to design it is rather complex. But i supposed to help in troubleshooting and thinking of possible improvements etc etc. heh .. now only understanding and gaining knowledge and experience stage. =P
Well....looks like i will get used to the travelling soon. This is good news, the not so good news is that... i did not win the car.. YET. The free mazda 2 slipped from my fingers today, but it is not over as there will be other lucky draws and chances to get $100 COE. =P Failures are just terms for 'success that have yet to arrive'. =D
I would rather he be around to guide if stuff crops up, else i will be the only RE during morning meetings with ops and maintenance people. And i can ask for more assignments to handle once i finish up the two i have on hand. One was requested for yesterday and the other was tasked with today. Good 'work out' as i learnt quite a bit more on mechanical seals by doing so. The AIT with Flowserve and getting a report up on seals on site. Previous reading done in my first few days and explanation from Clement was the required basics, and i moved on to looking at failure reports and usage of different plans for different situations.
To think.. never been exposed to mechanical seals in the academic world, and it is such an important equipment for usage of pumps and motors. Maybe it is more used for this particular industry. Hmmm.. nonetheless, the working principle is rather interesting actually, although to design it is rather complex. But i supposed to help in troubleshooting and thinking of possible improvements etc etc. heh .. now only understanding and gaining knowledge and experience stage. =P
Well....looks like i will get used to the travelling soon. This is good news, the not so good news is that... i did not win the car.. YET. The free mazda 2 slipped from my fingers today, but it is not over as there will be other lucky draws and chances to get $100 COE. =P Failures are just terms for 'success that have yet to arrive'. =D
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
riding in silence ...
Today was my 1st day in the process area alone. As 2 of my colleagues were out of office, and will be for about 2 weeks - one in Bukom for a short assignment, the other kana chicken pox. I wonder if the vaccine i received in Army days is still valid, else i may get it too.
Anyway, was assigned to check out a pump in the process area and after wearing the required PPE or personal protective equipment, which includes a set of earplugs, i cycled into the plant. With the ear plugs on, everything was quiet, very quiet. No sound of wind, nor can i hear myself. When talking to myself, i hear my voice coming from my throat.
With a map in hand, just in case, i reached the area and it was rather big. Luckily saw a fellow worker and asked him on the pump location, of which he helpfully pointed out to me. It was the last pump at the other end of the area.. *phew*! lucky i met him, else will take a long time to locate the pump. Too lazy to proceed to another building with bigger map. =P
Anyway, looks like i will be tackling any challenges that crops up this 2 weeks as it is only me and my supervisor, the senior engineer, as the other 2 are away. Good time to learn, unfortunately, will be on my own to a large extend. But i get to learn a lot, as i had to think of what i think it is and how should i confirm stuff.. haha. Feel like an engineer? not yet, cos i had to double check my suspicions with my senior technician before informing my supervisor. Looking at drawings and at the actual pump is definitely very different. =P
Anyway, was assigned to check out a pump in the process area and after wearing the required PPE or personal protective equipment, which includes a set of earplugs, i cycled into the plant. With the ear plugs on, everything was quiet, very quiet. No sound of wind, nor can i hear myself. When talking to myself, i hear my voice coming from my throat.
With a map in hand, just in case, i reached the area and it was rather big. Luckily saw a fellow worker and asked him on the pump location, of which he helpfully pointed out to me. It was the last pump at the other end of the area.. *phew*! lucky i met him, else will take a long time to locate the pump. Too lazy to proceed to another building with bigger map. =P
Anyway, looks like i will be tackling any challenges that crops up this 2 weeks as it is only me and my supervisor, the senior engineer, as the other 2 are away. Good time to learn, unfortunately, will be on my own to a large extend. But i get to learn a lot, as i had to think of what i think it is and how should i confirm stuff.. haha. Feel like an engineer? not yet, cos i had to double check my suspicions with my senior technician before informing my supervisor. Looking at drawings and at the actual pump is definitely very different. =P
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Learning curve established?
Things got exciting over the past 2 days, with me attending more meetings and getting to do a preliminary root cause analysis (RCA) of a defect. Although it has already been thought through by my supervisor and seniors, i missed the meeting cos it was held when i was away on course.
The date has been set for my taking over, which will be on Jan 15. Meaning that i have approx. 2 months to take over from Clement and also to know much much more on just about anything. Exciting and i hope that i can maintain clement's high standards and push it up a notch or two in a year's time. Truth is... it will be difficult as i started from scratch BUT .. it can still be done, and hopefully with as few mistakes along the was as possible. Must treat it as in Navy, where ZERO mistake is my target ... cos mistakes can cost lives onboard ship. So.. i guess zero mistakes is being perfect, and that means i am a nobody. =P
Anyway, apparently my testing with the moisturiser is working as wheng and joanne can spot which side of my face has been 'anti-aged', and that was about 20 hours after i had applied it. So i had just applied the cream to my entire face, doing it nightly as it says 24 hours on the label and i guess my face gets to revitalise itself during the night. =)
The date has been set for my taking over, which will be on Jan 15. Meaning that i have approx. 2 months to take over from Clement and also to know much much more on just about anything. Exciting and i hope that i can maintain clement's high standards and push it up a notch or two in a year's time. Truth is... it will be difficult as i started from scratch BUT .. it can still be done, and hopefully with as few mistakes along the was as possible. Must treat it as in Navy, where ZERO mistake is my target ... cos mistakes can cost lives onboard ship. So.. i guess zero mistakes is being perfect, and that means i am a nobody. =P
Anyway, apparently my testing with the moisturiser is working as wheng and joanne can spot which side of my face has been 'anti-aged', and that was about 20 hours after i had applied it. So i had just applied the cream to my entire face, doing it nightly as it says 24 hours on the label and i guess my face gets to revitalise itself during the night. =)
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Visiting friends day...
Popped over to Weiling's place this morning to visit her son.... and the lovely couple of course. =P Didnt get to see her son since his birth, so drove there with wheng and fen. David and cbt couldnt make it. =P
Reached at 11am, and he was such a cute little baby! 8 plus months and quite afraid of strangers. He cried when fen and wheng tried to pick him up, but to everyone's (even weiling and hubby) surprise, he was quite ok to be picked up by me! Thus as u can see from the photo, i get to be the first to take photo with him. =D
The double rainbow, unfortunately not that clear in the photo for the second one, was spotted by wheng and i as we sat in the back of yongxi's pickup on our way to wala wala for dinner with dawn, roy and later on, uncle teng and mandy. Its been a long time since i saw a rainbow.. next time will relate the story of what REALLY lies underneath a rainbow, cos i been there.. heh.
Anyway, back to today.. After 2 hours of chatting, we headed for lunch at Parkway parade area and then to David's place, a long time since i been there. Several changes with lots of new gadgets. Chatted and played nintendo wii with wheng and fen till 7pm as i have to fetch my dad from the fish farm back home before heading out for dinner with the 2 of them. All in all, a fun day where i caught up with long time no see friends.. heh. =)
Reached at 11am, and he was such a cute little baby! 8 plus months and quite afraid of strangers. He cried when fen and wheng tried to pick him up, but to everyone's (even weiling and hubby) surprise, he was quite ok to be picked up by me! Thus as u can see from the photo, i get to be the first to take photo with him. =D
The double rainbow, unfortunately not that clear in the photo for the second one, was spotted by wheng and i as we sat in the back of yongxi's pickup on our way to wala wala for dinner with dawn, roy and later on, uncle teng and mandy. Its been a long time since i saw a rainbow.. next time will relate the story of what REALLY lies underneath a rainbow, cos i been there.. heh.
Anyway, back to today.. After 2 hours of chatting, we headed for lunch at Parkway parade area and then to David's place, a long time since i been there. Several changes with lots of new gadgets. Chatted and played nintendo wii with wheng and fen till 7pm as i have to fetch my dad from the fish farm back home before heading out for dinner with the 2 of them. All in all, a fun day where i caught up with long time no see friends.. heh. =)
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Learn guitar? or piano....
Thinking of which musical instruments to learn, as i have a $300 'learning' fund which i can tap on per year from Shell. As 2007 is ending soon, i do not have much time to source for courses which i will be interested in learning, thus will be settling for learning musical instruments as i didnt have the opportunity to learn previously.
Just visited the yamaha music school and obtained the brochure for the teen/adult courses. Fortunately, the new guitar and piano courses will be starting soon, so wondering if i should try the guitar or the piano. As for having the instruments to practise, recently acquired a 2nd hand guitar to practice on and also a possibility of getting a piano too! The question is, whether my fingers have enough dexterity to be able to play any of them! Cant imagine how hard i would laugh if my fingers cramp in the midst of learning to play. =P
If i get the piano, highly likely will go for the piano course, or ask my friend if she would want to and have time to teach me as she is qualified to teach piano. =P Hmmm... not bad, 27 years and getting to nurture my musical genes, which is good as i know i cant sing to save my life. Unless my vocals can cause the villain/s to commit suicide. =P
Just visited the yamaha music school and obtained the brochure for the teen/adult courses. Fortunately, the new guitar and piano courses will be starting soon, so wondering if i should try the guitar or the piano. As for having the instruments to practise, recently acquired a 2nd hand guitar to practice on and also a possibility of getting a piano too! The question is, whether my fingers have enough dexterity to be able to play any of them! Cant imagine how hard i would laugh if my fingers cramp in the midst of learning to play. =P
If i get the piano, highly likely will go for the piano course, or ask my friend if she would want to and have time to teach me as she is qualified to teach piano. =P Hmmm... not bad, 27 years and getting to nurture my musical genes, which is good as i know i cant sing to save my life. Unless my vocals can cause the villain/s to commit suicide. =P
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Stardust....
Went to catch Stardust, the movie, a few days back, think on tues actually. Was meeting yongxi and kaixin for dinner and to pass back kaixin's restored hard disk and retrieved data in her portable one. Took me about 3 hours of tinkering before i managed to get her sister's data out of her virus hit hard disk and then re-formatting the latter before re-installing the OS.
The movie was unplanned but well, it was a good movie nonetheless. They felt that it was a bit lame, the puns and jokes. But it did bring good hearty laughter. =D The plot was nothing new, but the fantasy involved was remarkably good, i think. Enjoyed the fantasy part pretty well, how the story line evolved etc. I guess i am a sucker for such fantasy stuff, and nice to be absorbed into a movie and surreal surroundings and embarking onto adventures. heh.
Hiaz...my life has been an adventure so far, and miss my sailing days where i get to sail to different ports and cities. Staring into the darkness of the night when out at sea, only with the hum of the engines; whisper of the wind; display of lights by the stars; the company of the moon and the glow of the sea. Those were the days.. heh. =)
The movie was unplanned but well, it was a good movie nonetheless. They felt that it was a bit lame, the puns and jokes. But it did bring good hearty laughter. =D The plot was nothing new, but the fantasy involved was remarkably good, i think. Enjoyed the fantasy part pretty well, how the story line evolved etc. I guess i am a sucker for such fantasy stuff, and nice to be absorbed into a movie and surreal surroundings and embarking onto adventures. heh.
Hiaz...my life has been an adventure so far, and miss my sailing days where i get to sail to different ports and cities. Staring into the darkness of the night when out at sea, only with the hum of the engines; whisper of the wind; display of lights by the stars; the company of the moon and the glow of the sea. Those were the days.. heh. =)
Deepavali and i'm studying.. =P
Its a holiday today, finally won some moolah from mahjong, playing since last night till early this morning. heh. Lazy day today. Going to revise on the safety supervisor course later on, after watching Heroes season 2, the first 3 episodes in the morning. =P Lobang kindly provided by yongxi.
Kind of a good break, but it was a boring course. Better pass it tomorrow. Else.. heh heh heh. 100 MCQs, 60% passing mark i think. Looking forward to next monday, where i have to continue learning more stuff about my job. Need to build my competency as fast as possible.. 1.6Gb of stuff still in my portable and i only glanced through the title. Have to choose somewhere to start soon.
COE went up for this current bid, hopefully with the high oil prices, increase in ERP and unstable market, less people will want to buy cars... so i can get a cheap COE and get a car soon. Else... have to wait liao. heh. Not really investing in stocks anymore, think is too high and dont want to get caught and make a loss. Looks like my risk appetite is rather small now, especially when i cant monitor it as often as back in NTU.
Still considering and coming up with pros and cons and whether the car is a need or a want. Looks like it will take a long time to decide, so only going in if really a good bargain. =P that is why getting my brother to bid $50 for the COE, heh heh... so if kana $50 COE, confirm will buy a toyota vios or maybe consider the Honda Civic Hybrid to save on fuel consumption.. since i would be saving $12k, thus will be spending the same amount of money, and getting a environmentally friendly car with of course, savings on fuel too! The other thing will be.. to win the Mazda 2 at the lucky draw. That will be a good way to start off too! heh heh. =P
Meanwhile, have to get back to office and check out Shell website to decide on setting up my KPIs and what i want to achieve by end of 2007, and get more familiarised with shell seraya, the people and working culture. =)
anyway, finally get to download pictures off my not that new phone, but nonetheless, it is still the first time i downloading the pictures...
For my new portable hard disk and the facial scrub and anti-aging moisturiser. And my experiment, almost a week of applying it onto one side of my face... hmmm.. how long before the other side look more haggard? =P
Kind of a good break, but it was a boring course. Better pass it tomorrow. Else.. heh heh heh. 100 MCQs, 60% passing mark i think. Looking forward to next monday, where i have to continue learning more stuff about my job. Need to build my competency as fast as possible.. 1.6Gb of stuff still in my portable and i only glanced through the title. Have to choose somewhere to start soon.
COE went up for this current bid, hopefully with the high oil prices, increase in ERP and unstable market, less people will want to buy cars... so i can get a cheap COE and get a car soon. Else... have to wait liao. heh. Not really investing in stocks anymore, think is too high and dont want to get caught and make a loss. Looks like my risk appetite is rather small now, especially when i cant monitor it as often as back in NTU.
Still considering and coming up with pros and cons and whether the car is a need or a want. Looks like it will take a long time to decide, so only going in if really a good bargain. =P that is why getting my brother to bid $50 for the COE, heh heh... so if kana $50 COE, confirm will buy a toyota vios or maybe consider the Honda Civic Hybrid to save on fuel consumption.. since i would be saving $12k, thus will be spending the same amount of money, and getting a environmentally friendly car with of course, savings on fuel too! The other thing will be.. to win the Mazda 2 at the lucky draw. That will be a good way to start off too! heh heh. =P
Meanwhile, have to get back to office and check out Shell website to decide on setting up my KPIs and what i want to achieve by end of 2007, and get more familiarised with shell seraya, the people and working culture. =)
anyway, finally get to download pictures off my not that new phone, but nonetheless, it is still the first time i downloading the pictures...
For my new portable hard disk and the facial scrub and anti-aging moisturiser. And my experiment, almost a week of applying it onto one side of my face... hmmm.. how long before the other side look more haggard? =P
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
solar car team on the next phrase of their lives..=)
Well, finally..in less than 2 months after our solar car project was called off. The 3 of us had all found jobs in various sectors. Mine was a lengthly process which took 4 months; kaixin was offered last week, slightly below 3k at Cameron and yongxi just signed his contract today, with the highest salary among us at DSTA, yes more than me too - well done!! (kx and i piling pressure on him for makan based on this.. heh heh)
And i can also finally rest easy and happy for them for one had found what she wanted to try out, with possibility of overseas movement. The other.. well, good pay and potential move towards being a Professional Engineer. Which means that the entire solar car team had successfully transited into working life; 2 in marine industry, 2 in oil/petrochemical industry, 1 in finance, 1 in semi-conductor and 1 in defense. Why rest easy? Cos i have finally completed my responsibilities towards my team members, self-imposed responsibilities cos dont think anyone knows that i am shouldering that anyway. =P Nonetheless... very happy feeling with a tinge of disappointment, and that disappointment was out of my control although we did good. =D
Now everyone is on the next stage ... my best wishes to all, to those just started and also to those who had embarked on their careers a few months before too! =)
And i can also finally rest easy and happy for them for one had found what she wanted to try out, with possibility of overseas movement. The other.. well, good pay and potential move towards being a Professional Engineer. Which means that the entire solar car team had successfully transited into working life; 2 in marine industry, 2 in oil/petrochemical industry, 1 in finance, 1 in semi-conductor and 1 in defense. Why rest easy? Cos i have finally completed my responsibilities towards my team members, self-imposed responsibilities cos dont think anyone knows that i am shouldering that anyway. =P Nonetheless... very happy feeling with a tinge of disappointment, and that disappointment was out of my control although we did good. =D
Now everyone is on the next stage ... my best wishes to all, to those just started and also to those who had embarked on their careers a few months before too! =)
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
3 yrs down the road ...
Yesterday was my grandmother's 3rd year death anniversary. It follows the lunar calendar, nonetheless, it would be rather close to the 'western' calendar we are using. 3 years since her death would be 3 years from the day i was admitted to NUH for chemotherapy. Can still recall very vividly events which unfolded that day.
It was in the morning when we dashed down to my grandmother's place where we had a last visit to her as she was on her way to the other side. My first time with someone passing on and i remembered she responded as i called out to her. Soon it was near noon and i had to head over to NUH and wheng accompanied me as my parents (my dad being eldest son) had to take charge over the funeral. Thus my 1st experience with chemo drugs was with wheng, fen and david (who came over in the afternoon i think) and actually cant remember who came over also. =P Cos the main memory was the extreme pain all over me, especially at the arm portion where the drugs were injected. 4 hours it took, and the nurse told me cos it was my 1st time, so they went slow.... and for the rest of the chemo, it took about an hour.
Only managed to attend my grandmother's funeral once, in the afternoon when i was discharged from hospital. Weak and tired, only remember crying quite a bit, for i do miss her even though most of the time when i visit her, i would just sit in the living room, and watch tv with her. She would speak in teochew and i answer mainly in mandarin. =P Can still remember years back, when i made 'snow-skin' mooncakes for her and she ate them all, saying that she prefers my imperfect red bean moon cakes over the others. heh.. 3 yrs down the road, thinking back still makes me tear.
Sometimes i still think back, and felt that my grandma helped me in my recovery from cancer and i appreciate it very much. Life is unpredictable and that is what make me treasure everyone around me so much. From family to friends to sometimes even strangers when i feel like just helping them out when i can. That is why i want to spend more time with my parents, for they had done so much for me. =) Looking out for the next place to bring my mom to... maybe to Japan next year, then US the year after next. Maybe if with bro's sponsorship, can bring both of them overseas next year. heh.
It was in the morning when we dashed down to my grandmother's place where we had a last visit to her as she was on her way to the other side. My first time with someone passing on and i remembered she responded as i called out to her. Soon it was near noon and i had to head over to NUH and wheng accompanied me as my parents (my dad being eldest son) had to take charge over the funeral. Thus my 1st experience with chemo drugs was with wheng, fen and david (who came over in the afternoon i think) and actually cant remember who came over also. =P Cos the main memory was the extreme pain all over me, especially at the arm portion where the drugs were injected. 4 hours it took, and the nurse told me cos it was my 1st time, so they went slow.... and for the rest of the chemo, it took about an hour.
Only managed to attend my grandmother's funeral once, in the afternoon when i was discharged from hospital. Weak and tired, only remember crying quite a bit, for i do miss her even though most of the time when i visit her, i would just sit in the living room, and watch tv with her. She would speak in teochew and i answer mainly in mandarin. =P Can still remember years back, when i made 'snow-skin' mooncakes for her and she ate them all, saying that she prefers my imperfect red bean moon cakes over the others. heh.. 3 yrs down the road, thinking back still makes me tear.
Sometimes i still think back, and felt that my grandma helped me in my recovery from cancer and i appreciate it very much. Life is unpredictable and that is what make me treasure everyone around me so much. From family to friends to sometimes even strangers when i feel like just helping them out when i can. That is why i want to spend more time with my parents, for they had done so much for me. =) Looking out for the next place to bring my mom to... maybe to Japan next year, then US the year after next. Maybe if with bro's sponsorship, can bring both of them overseas next year. heh.
strained right wrist and half an older face
Went for badminton today at Chua Chu Kang stadium, it was a good workout, and at least my entire body is not aching today. Unfortunately, after the 4th game, my wrist is starting to hurt and i confirmed strained it on the 5th and 6th game as they were short of a player.
After the game, decided to try the taking a bus home, thinking that it might be just faster than the train. Well, sadly, it was not. As bus 67 moved at incredible speeds at Dunearn, Bt Timah areas, i was in high spirits as the bus was moving fast, not much traffic and passengers. All the hopes ended as 67 turns into Serangoon rd, with the deepavali celebrations going on and light up, the bus slowed to a crawl. After 15 mins in that area, it sped up again until along Geylang rd where traffic slowed again. Changed bus opposite SAFRA and ended home at 1105, an hour and 45 mins after i left Chua Chu Kang interchange. Well, in theory, it should be faster by train and i will get to find out next week. =P
As for the older face thingy, bought a anti-aging moisturiser for a trial as i need to have some protection from the sun for my face too. Applied it to half my face, yes, EXACTLY half my face. So in 4 weeks time, if u see one side 'cao lao' and the other side less 'cao lao', it will mean that the product works. More updates with pictures once i get the sony erisson software to work on my Win2000 OS. =P
After the game, decided to try the taking a bus home, thinking that it might be just faster than the train. Well, sadly, it was not. As bus 67 moved at incredible speeds at Dunearn, Bt Timah areas, i was in high spirits as the bus was moving fast, not much traffic and passengers. All the hopes ended as 67 turns into Serangoon rd, with the deepavali celebrations going on and light up, the bus slowed to a crawl. After 15 mins in that area, it sped up again until along Geylang rd where traffic slowed again. Changed bus opposite SAFRA and ended home at 1105, an hour and 45 mins after i left Chua Chu Kang interchange. Well, in theory, it should be faster by train and i will get to find out next week. =P
As for the older face thingy, bought a anti-aging moisturiser for a trial as i need to have some protection from the sun for my face too. Applied it to half my face, yes, EXACTLY half my face. So in 4 weeks time, if u see one side 'cao lao' and the other side less 'cao lao', it will mean that the product works. More updates with pictures once i get the sony erisson software to work on my Win2000 OS. =P
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Pondering over idea of buying a car...
The week passed with thoughts of buying a car to make my working life a tad bit less tiring as i could then drive to work. So have been weighing the pros and cons for the past week, especially since i have more time to think about it during the breaks and lulls of the course i am attending.
An hour more sleep per working day sounds good, and so does the freedom to stay back late in office when i want or need to instead of having to catch the company shuttle bus out to Jurong East MRT at 2 scheduled times. And if i am tired, can always get some rest before driving home slightly after peak hours. Having a car also gives me ability to meet friends in a 'faster' way as compared to public transport (the last time at greenwood, i left home 1.5 hrs early and was still slightly late) and also the chance to send friends home too! =D
Although i had considered the possibility of having to buy a car when i signed up for shell as the workplace will be either at P. Bukom or Jurong island, at least i have the financial ability to buy it. But i never thought that i will be considering about it so soon, less than a month at work actually. =/
To own a car will cost about $1k per month, factoring in petrol, parking (at least it is free at seraya), insurance (should i register it under wheng as her insurance will be cheaper due to the fact that she obtained her license 8~9 years ago while mine is less than 2 years old?) and taxes. Not to mention the downpayment that i require to reduce the initial loan amount, thus currently thinking of an idea to benefit friends rather than the bank and the guy in mind would be mr cbt, although yet to ask him about it. hmmmmmm...
Anyway, the cost of getting a car will be $1000 less savings a day and the closest alternative would be to take a cab (will have to call a cab for pickup at office), which should cost about $30~35; or if i hitch a ride with any colleague (which i am still getting to know them), the taxi from their place will be less than $25 (so far, all stay in the west, from redhill to jurong or some in the north). This will allow me to take about 30 taxi trips in a month. And being the miser like me, i will most likely be taking the bus anyway. =P
Saving a thousand dollars more per month is a shit load of money and that comes with the ability to treat friends to a good meal when i feel like it (of which a few treats are coming up as soon as i get my paycheck). heh heh. And also the increase in my capacity to investment in stocks, although nowadays, i think it will way too high liao. So waiting for a market crash or a market major correction, which will give me a better window to invest, and if i can maintain my my current performance of >50% gains in investing, i would get over $30k of profits over the next five years and savings of over $100k (if all goes swee swee for everything, but as they say in stocks: past performance is not an indication of future performances - may go up to 70% gains.. heh heh heh =P). With that load of savings, i would be able to go into property as the chances of property market to ONLY go up for the stretch of the next 7 years is slim.
Everything is cyclical, and since nobody can predict the future, but i want to be prepared for it. So when the down time comes, i would (in theory) be able to get a private apt/house or HDB flat 'cheap' by then. And hopefully on my way to financial freedom (if all goes smoothly according to plan). i expect some deviation on my plans but heck, change is the only constant anyway. =P
Yesterday watched Arsenal vs Man U with yongxi and leslie at wheng's place, out 'bachelor's' corner and played winning 11 during half time break. heh heh. Not bad leh, with duty free Hoegaarden and chips. So roy! if u are reading this, will attempt to jio u again next week cos u are on duty if i calculated correctly - need your timetable dude, its going to be soccer night every sat if possible.
Current beer stock = 18 bottles of Hoegaarden, 3 cans of heineken. Peanuts = zero. Cheese balls = 9 packets.
An hour more sleep per working day sounds good, and so does the freedom to stay back late in office when i want or need to instead of having to catch the company shuttle bus out to Jurong East MRT at 2 scheduled times. And if i am tired, can always get some rest before driving home slightly after peak hours. Having a car also gives me ability to meet friends in a 'faster' way as compared to public transport (the last time at greenwood, i left home 1.5 hrs early and was still slightly late) and also the chance to send friends home too! =D
Although i had considered the possibility of having to buy a car when i signed up for shell as the workplace will be either at P. Bukom or Jurong island, at least i have the financial ability to buy it. But i never thought that i will be considering about it so soon, less than a month at work actually. =/
To own a car will cost about $1k per month, factoring in petrol, parking (at least it is free at seraya), insurance (should i register it under wheng as her insurance will be cheaper due to the fact that she obtained her license 8~9 years ago while mine is less than 2 years old?) and taxes. Not to mention the downpayment that i require to reduce the initial loan amount, thus currently thinking of an idea to benefit friends rather than the bank and the guy in mind would be mr cbt, although yet to ask him about it. hmmmmmm...
Anyway, the cost of getting a car will be $1000 less savings a day and the closest alternative would be to take a cab (will have to call a cab for pickup at office), which should cost about $30~35; or if i hitch a ride with any colleague (which i am still getting to know them), the taxi from their place will be less than $25 (so far, all stay in the west, from redhill to jurong or some in the north). This will allow me to take about 30 taxi trips in a month. And being the miser like me, i will most likely be taking the bus anyway. =P
Saving a thousand dollars more per month is a shit load of money and that comes with the ability to treat friends to a good meal when i feel like it (of which a few treats are coming up as soon as i get my paycheck). heh heh. And also the increase in my capacity to investment in stocks, although nowadays, i think it will way too high liao. So waiting for a market crash or a market major correction, which will give me a better window to invest, and if i can maintain my my current performance of >50% gains in investing, i would get over $30k of profits over the next five years and savings of over $100k (if all goes swee swee for everything, but as they say in stocks: past performance is not an indication of future performances - may go up to 70% gains.. heh heh heh =P). With that load of savings, i would be able to go into property as the chances of property market to ONLY go up for the stretch of the next 7 years is slim.
Everything is cyclical, and since nobody can predict the future, but i want to be prepared for it. So when the down time comes, i would (in theory) be able to get a private apt/house or HDB flat 'cheap' by then. And hopefully on my way to financial freedom (if all goes smoothly according to plan). i expect some deviation on my plans but heck, change is the only constant anyway. =P
Yesterday watched Arsenal vs Man U with yongxi and leslie at wheng's place, out 'bachelor's' corner and played winning 11 during half time break. heh heh. Not bad leh, with duty free Hoegaarden and chips. So roy! if u are reading this, will attempt to jio u again next week cos u are on duty if i calculated correctly - need your timetable dude, its going to be soccer night every sat if possible.
Current beer stock = 18 bottles of Hoegaarden, 3 cans of heineken. Peanuts = zero. Cheese balls = 9 packets.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
1st day at course and rash outbreak!
Today is the first day of my Ministry of Manpower: Oil/Petrochemical Industrial Safety Supervisors Course conducted by NTUC at Redhill there. Woke up at a gloriously late time of 7.30am. heh heh. The course is from 9.30am till 4.30pm, so can wake a lot later than usual.
Reached there just in time at 9.28 as the location is very close to redhill mrt station. Surprisingly met a fellow colleague from Shell Chemicals Seraya, Katherine from maintenance, thus i didnt have to undergo the course alone. Which is a good thing as the course did get rather boring and i get to know and understand a bit more on what maintenance engineers do at seraya. Not to mention the cute picture of her baby gal is always smiling on the screen of her handphone. Oh! And also get to know that she is a professional engineer or PE and recommends that i try for that if possible after i accumulate 5 years of experience. heh heh.... maybe can incorporate into my plan...good stuff to do for semi or full retirement. =P
Too bad didnt get to go for badminton session today as i had to pay a visit to my family doctor at bedok reservoir, having hitched a ride from yongxi. Eczema was the cause and was given antibiotics, cream and anti-itch pills. Thank goodness i did not go for badminton, else will be scratching like a cat during tomorrow's session.
Learnt of a good thing today, which is.. i get to claim allowance for taking the course, so heh heh, a bit of extra income to compensate for going to the doctor's for my eczema. =P
On the serious note, really considering the option of buying a car so that i can sleep one more hour in the morning and also enable me to stay in office late and not be restricted by the bus schedule. Need to slowly move up my tempo at work and hopefully start to contribute more soon. heh.
Reached there just in time at 9.28 as the location is very close to redhill mrt station. Surprisingly met a fellow colleague from Shell Chemicals Seraya, Katherine from maintenance, thus i didnt have to undergo the course alone. Which is a good thing as the course did get rather boring and i get to know and understand a bit more on what maintenance engineers do at seraya. Not to mention the cute picture of her baby gal is always smiling on the screen of her handphone. Oh! And also get to know that she is a professional engineer or PE and recommends that i try for that if possible after i accumulate 5 years of experience. heh heh.... maybe can incorporate into my plan...good stuff to do for semi or full retirement. =P
Too bad didnt get to go for badminton session today as i had to pay a visit to my family doctor at bedok reservoir, having hitched a ride from yongxi. Eczema was the cause and was given antibiotics, cream and anti-itch pills. Thank goodness i did not go for badminton, else will be scratching like a cat during tomorrow's session.
Learnt of a good thing today, which is.. i get to claim allowance for taking the course, so heh heh, a bit of extra income to compensate for going to the doctor's for my eczema. =P
On the serious note, really considering the option of buying a car so that i can sleep one more hour in the morning and also enable me to stay in office late and not be restricted by the bus schedule. Need to slowly move up my tempo at work and hopefully start to contribute more soon. heh.
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