Darned...

It was a slow slow day today, and many of us got the "golden voice" of Shirley from Kelly's Services in the morning, awakened by her 9.30am early morning call. (Hello?! We're working night shift here!)

We got the same lines, "We'll not be extending your service any further, and would it be okay with you if your last day at work be on the 25th Jun?"

And...were we supposed to say "No"?. Guess not.

Damned obvious answer, but fits into my plans perfectly.

Why? Fri-Sun is my dive trip, Next Mon-Sat is the NUS Sports Camp. So in actual fact, I had thought of stopping work this week.

Wonders of it all. Was it telepathy?

So effectively, today's my 2nd last day at work, and I bought some Tau Sa Piah from Balestier Road to treat the people at the workplace. Glad they enjoyed it. Well, freshly-baked too!

* * *
Anyway, the main point of today's post is to state that Murphy's Law really does apply, in a myraid of ways. And it happened to me, not once, but twice in a span of 2 hours...

1) I was talking to my friends at the GHS'05 CallCenter that there would not be any inbounds regardless whether all of us were at our seats or not. Seems like Heaven had to play a prank on me by letting me have the honour of getting the last call.

But thank goodness it was someone willing to do the survey. Imagine kenna shouted at and scolded at despite being the last call of the day.

If that happens, I would just hang up and say, "Eh...oops?"

Anyway, back to the person, he's a Swede, and working here, as an expatriate. His monthly salary...woah. Not to mention, he's working in a good company. Anyway, good guy to talk to, and it took pretty fast to finish the survey. All 10 minutes.

Done, and I was a happy man.

2) I wanted to print my documents for my Travel Insurance (Diving Trip) and my Sports Camp stuff, but realised the Epson printer which I have cannot work, due to the requirement of drivers. So I had to search high and low for the drivers, install in and let it work. And I tried and tried but still couldn't get it to work. Restarted the computer, and it could work. BUT the best part was that the inks had dried up!

I was like..."WTF?! At this moment?!"

No choice...have to think of a solution outta this mess I've having....grrr...

Current Mood: Working

Batman Begins

A gothic, dark scene of Gotham City indeed.

Awesome piece of movie, but, I'd still prefer Keaton as Batman (personal opinion, I guess.)

From training in the League of Shadows, to protector of Gotham by ridding it of the criminals. Nice clue-in to the initial movie which started it all, Batman, by having the introduction of the Joker.

And the new Batmobile (or BatTumbler?!) certainly rocks! The way the police tried to describe the Batmobile whilst chasing was entertaining, and surprisingly funny. Not to forget, the race-to-save-the-lady-in-the-Batmobile-whilst-her-life-is-on-the-balance certainly is cool. To top it off, we get to see the Batmobile 'fly' and the way Batman engages the weapon systems, it is certainly awesome (lying down position a la sniping position).

This movie also explores how Batman chose his path admist the darkness he finds himself him after the death of his parents. In a sense, this movie was great in the delivery, and better yet with the usage of the CGI.

One thing niggling me was the strange accent he had when he dons the Batsuit, it seemed different from normal Bruce Wayne. Probably he had a voice-changer to hide his true identity.

All in all, thumbs up, and kudos to this movie. Can't wait for the next one!

Current Mood: Satisfied

Current Music: Fun Factory - Close To You

World Harmony Run

Just back, showered and warming down from the amazing 30km run which started at MacRitchie Reservoir at 7.40am, with Ms Eunice Olsen flagging off the run, till the Merlion in downtown city area.

It took us through an amazing number of different religious places. Kong Meng San temple and Salvation Army HQ in Bishan, Ceylon Sports Club at Balestier Road, Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple and Civil Service Club along Serangoon Road, Central Sikh Temple along Boon Keng Road, Masjid Darul Aman Mosque at Eunos, Joo Chiat Community Club, Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple at Ceylon Road, Nicoll Highway, Merdeka Bridge, Esplanade Drive and finally Merlion Park.

A long distance indeed.

In fact, I had some thigh problems already en route to the Masjid Darul Aman Mosque, as I could feel my right thigh muscle pulling up on me, and the left calf muscle aching a little. Both eased off after some time, but one of the runners, Philip, told me to take some cold pack and cold spray to ease the situation there. (Philip's taking a private course in Sports Medicine, which means he knows quite a bit on our running techniques, methods of recovery, and signs of pain. Interesting. )

Moreover, during one of the rest stops, we din realise we sat under hanging clothes till we looked up when water dripped down. Haha.

It was definitely a hot run in the late morning part, when we covered the rest of the 16km journey from Eunos to Joo Chiat and the ending point. As it went, I could feel my legs getting numb. It gave way, in the end, at the rest point at the National Stadium. Luckily, I had some help from another fellow runner, Mr Akira (who's Japanese and a former figure skating champ, and is a mean runner at his age) helped me stretch the muscle using a 'special' technique. I felt better after that, and rared to go. Nonetheless, I could feel that my body was fatigued and not the same as before.

Still, I managed to grit on and finish the run with my fellow runners, all 18 of them. It was a great run, and this is also the first time I've pushed beyond my limit of 21km, last set in AHM 2004.

This run also allowed me to know more fellow runners, all of whom are older than me. Uncles who have the stamina and determination to push on, and seemed to finish the 30km with relative ease, certainly told wonders of the training they had done during their prime. The working people were similarly fighting fit, and most of them did at least 20km. I had a great time hanging out with these guys.

Now...It's time to rest...and fill thy stomach

Current Mood: Hungry and Sleepy

Sadness

Just saw my Granny in hospital, looking frail, gasping for breath. It was absolutely horrible, heart-wrenching, to see a loved one in this condition. Her condition had suddenly taken a turn for the worse, and a year ago, it was much better.

My first question to my Dad was, "Why had it become like this?"

His answer, "She's old...and getting weaker, esp. with the inflammation in her food passageway."

Yet, modern science and treatment can do nothing to relive her of the pain and suffering she had undergone for the past 2 years, of which a year I was in the Army and seldom had the time to go visit her.

But, everytime I visited her, she had that smile on her face, a smile because she was happy to see her grand-children. A smile seldom seen ever since my Grandfather passed away 3 years ago. I loved her, but perhaps, not the same way as I love my parents. It might not be devastating to lose her, but still her loss signifies something I will miss, deeply. Without her, the extended family would not be here now, at her side, when she requires support and care from all closest to her. In short, everything would not be the same should she leave.

Despite her failing eyesight, and the need to ingest via a food tube, she seemed healthy enough, and I hoped she would live on longer.

That did not seem the case just moments ago.

Lying on the bed, with a crowd of relatives surrounding her as though she was someone kept in an enclosure for viewing pleasure, she tried to sleep, but could not. Partially, it was due to the difficulty in breathing. With her food-passageway inflammed, the option given was to insert a food-tube to her stomach via one side of the nose, which left just the other side of the nose open for respiratory purposes. With her weakened condition, it just took twice (or more) effort to breathe, and it seemed like a battle every second, gasping for more air. Even with the air support system which she was hooked up to.

I just had the feeling that she would leave us anytime soon. The outlook was pessimistic, and the doctors said they could do nothing, as her condition could not turn for the better. It was the dreaded feeling that she'll just go and leave your side anytime.

Looking at the people gathered, my aunts and cousins, I realised that some of them were not present. Most oddly, my 2nd uncle who was staying with my Granny was not present. Probably, they had left earlier. Similarly, my 3rd uncle and his family were not in the crowd.

I did not ask why there and then, and could not be bothered. I had rushed down from my night shift to see her, and I was flustered by the SMS which my Dad had sent.

I just had this weird feeling, I cannot explain it. Sorrow? Grief? Tears for the dead? Soon...it will come.

The only thig which I can cling on to, for now, is HOPE.

Rest well...Granny.

Current Mood: Sad

Diving!

Oh man, 2 lessons gone, 1 more to go, and the trip beckons in a week's time. Really excited. Today was the pool lessons, which was great as we get to don the wetsuit (which was supposedly a snug fit but ended up with some places having air pockets, making swimming a tid difficult, plus the arm and leg sleeves ride upwards )

Theory was done on Monday, pretty boring in comparison with today's. But the bad thing of today's was that (1)the setup took some time; (2)for a class of 13, there were only 2 instructors; (3)more time should be spent in the pool.

All in all, I think the best part of learning recreational diving is getting into the water. Getting the feel of buoyancy and the sense of weightlessness in the water certainly adds an extra dimension to the term "fun underwater".

I cant wait for Thursday to come, and the 24th to come too...

* * *

On another note, Clementi sells good food sia. I think with NUS beckoning, it's time to test and try out the area there

Current Mood: Hungry after the swim!

Current Music: B.A.D. - Don't Say Goodbye

.Wishlist.

Gosh, it's barely a month left to my birthday, and I realised that apart from the venue, I've yet to settle on a lot of stuff. Must be the recent things which are coming up for me, which includes:

1) World Harmony Run (20km!) - Oh yea...First time doing this, hopefully it's fun. Haha. Running to the different religious areas, from 7.30am till 4.30pm. Hopefully, I get some photos to show :P
2) Scuba Diving lessons - Another toughie. Gotta crack it. Add on the putting in of contacts in water. Gosh. I wish that I've more time practising my contacts fitting.
3) Orientation Camps - So many, yet so little time. Chemical Engineering Camp is a definitely YES; Engine Camp? Sports Camp? I'm still undecided. Esp. since I'm definitely not able to make it for the NUSSU Camp already. Oh well, no choice, it's to hold my bday, it's either then or none.
4) NUS Applications - Hostels! Loans! Marticulations! Gah...NUS Administration should just send all the application forms in one huge package? Saves the SingPost mailmen time and effort, and saves me the effort of questioning them on "Where is my Account Number? How come I cannot login, even with the new PIN?"
5) Trainings - Time for some trainings to undergo...TARGET: AHM 21km. Was initially interested in the OSIM triathlon, but decided to give it a miss. Gah. I need more trainings on the bike and swim.
6) CCAs - Should I join? Or should I not...Hmmmz....

I guess the above about sums up my June and upcoming July schedule. And not to forget, my birthday party @ 7-8 July. Gen was kind enough to ask me regarding my wishlist, but I guess I've not really firmed up things which I would ask for (I dun really ask for much, except...$$$? ) I've run through the list of stuff which I've been inching to get, so I reckon I might as well add a new section on the left. Meanwhile, the list is as follows:

- Crumpler Sling Bag (For laptop? Might not be too...more for documents
- N6230i (Oh yea, have been looking out for a new hp. This model comes to mind, for now. Been wanting to get hold of Cpt Don's, but the transfer sorta failed. Oh well, if there are better phones out there, let me know. I think the ones which caught my eye too are the Xda miniIIs and XphoneII)
- FZ10 (Or any other camera which gives me more zoom than my current PnS one. Oh well, this is a far-fetched idea, but I've been eyeing for some time. However, this is an old model lor )

Will update ASAP...

Current Music: Wu Si Kai - Fen Xiang

First Pay!

It's good to get a first pay for my job, via cheque from my agency, but the main gripe I have is that part of it (100 bucks) goes to my CPF as per the 20% employee contribution and 13% employers' contribution. So much for having more money to spend. I guess I understand more of how the workers feel about the currect system of CPF. Less money to spend.

Oh well, drifting off from this topic, I'm gonna just be at DOS for only 2 months, so it'll be soon before I say bye to the company which I've met there. Just few points worth noting:

(1) A govt job does not predispose to you the power to treat or entitle others to rank-slavery. That means ordering them about as one would do in an Army camp. If you are into respect and power, go into the Army. Civillian workplaces, though with the respect for those in higher positions in others, should be run in a professional manner in which people treat you with respect and you treat your workers and subordinates with equal respect. In that sense, you would become a better employer in their eyes. (Although in essence, ruling and commanding your subjects via an iron first leads to peak efficiency and productivity, it also displays negativity in terms of morale. Work would just be monotonous and dull.)

(2) Some people have mindsets which are deeply fixated, and being the kind friend to help the person improve more, can do no more than rolling his eyes and watch as the person just refuses to change. Oh well, I think it's better off talking to a cow, at least it moos.

(3) Shift jobs suck. Irregular sleeping times (which explains why I'm blogging now when I usually am asleep) and short day-light span contribute to the increasing fatigue I'm experiencing. Oh and add the early morning runs I try by best to attend. Simply difficult to deal with.

(4) I do not like the idea of forcing others to do against their own wishes, esp. when all of us are colleagues. In essence, we should work together, help each other...But some nitty-gritty details like sitting together etc just makes one kill more brain-cells for thinking and plotting where to sit, how to sit, and who to sit with. Save those brain cells for other usages ;)

Well, just a couple of points to blurt out. Better than keeping in da mind, yea?

P.S. For the ppl mentioned, forgive & forget, yea?

Current Mood: Pensive

Current Music: Corrinne May - Save Me

Unexpected...

A nights-out Boat Quay outing after a day's work at DOS, and this is what we get:

Ann Kok and Chris Lee doing filming! ;)

Guess Gayle was right on for going out for some snacks after work yesterday...haha.




Group Pic after their filming!
(L-R)Ann, Yanxuan, Binghui, Me, Chris

Current Mood: Sleepy

Current Music: Sounds of the night

Pregnant Warrants A Sacking?

Why would a company want to sack a pregnant lady who has been slogging her time in the office for 6 full years just because she applied a 3 month maternity leave? It makes no sense. Undoubtedly, I've the name of the aforementioned company, but I won't publish it here due to the recent spate of lawsuits hurling around the Internet.

Just wondering, since the government is strongly for precreation and the setting up of families and for women to give birth to more children to arrest the downward trend of newborns, why is it that there still exist companies with such primitive and ignorant mindsets of ladies, not looking in their perspective and giving them aid when it matters the most?

To think that Singapore's companies are just out to drive their employees as hard as possible, squeezing every cent worth out of them. In their opinion, this is definitely better than paying 3 months salary to an employee who is not working. Just hire a newbie, pay 1-3 months of probation period salary, and then u save some money too!

It's sad to think that companies think with their eyes on money rather than the heart...moves which would allow them to show compassion to their workers by giving in to such matters instead of just looking at everything in the world with a "Dollars & Sense" attitude.

In any case, this company is a no-no to join.

Current Mood: In Thought...

Current Music: The Underdog Project - Saturday Night

Celebration of Aloysius Birthday ;)

Hey dude! U're one year older! Oh well, a greeting and a wishing well in advance. Hope ya like the present. And well, The Pizza Place is a nice lil' cafe to hang out, in my opinion, just requires more stuff like more types of food, that's all ;)

For those who missed out, dun forget hor...haha. Guess most of us working, so it was a little difficult to plan, oh well. Thanks to Peiwen, Joo Hui, Shuwei, Huiwen for their support, and Aloysius for turning up as planned haha. Glad it turned out...well...? Wahaha. Sorry for no plans of the after-events hor...got work to do :(

Some pics to post:

The...small cake...*oops*...truffle :P






Cutting of the truffle

Current Mood: Happy