Back to Work
Started work on Monday... Nothing much happened on Monday actually. Had induction by one of my colleagues and was introduced to the rest of the department. After that, it was reading of intranet staff manual and reading up on the company's organisation structure and operations. Din't get to talk to boss as she was out for meetings almost the whole day. By the time I left, she is still not back from her meetings... :p
Day 2 was slightly okie with coaching from some colleagues on the work structures. Had some difficulties with my computer. Initially I thought i can't recall the password for my pc as I can't gain access to my mailbox. But it turns out that it's not password problem as I can access the webbased email using the same password. Called helpdesk and waited for their help... Lunch was a cab ride to Bishan + some shopping for tissues and biscuits for office use. Continued to read manuals and wait for helpdesk to advise on my pc problem... By the end of the day, still no new from helpdesk. I packed up and went home.
Today, I managed to do some emailing and started on some recruitment activities (advertising). Lunch was a solid 2-hour department gathering at an ex-director's house. Got held back due to a sudden downpour. And for the whole afternoon, it was pouring and I wonder why my stomach never get full... Keep munching buns till evening... By the time I knock off, it was still pouring... The office was super cold... Think I need winter clothing soon.
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Friday, August 25, 2006
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Monday, August 14, 2006
Friday, August 11, 2006
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Sounds like a bunch of excuses and reassurance to you? I'll re-consolidate my feeling and be prepared to return to office life and this time, to excel w/o looking back in regrets.
Saturday, August 05, 2006
The dinner ended with a simple cake cutting session, with excited Mattias blowing off the candle before godma can do so... ;p
Mapling
I guess I must have been bored...
I went to d/l and sign up for a Maple Sea account yesterday. haha... Then I got stuck in it for the whole of yesterday's evening. Shadow guided me through the journey and I managed to get to Level 8 Magician. haha! Thanks Shadow for the Magician's clothes and wand!
(In case you dunno, Maple Sea is an online game where you can create your own character, fight the monsters and chat with other users.)
Actually, I am still very lost in the game... No sense of direction. Dunno where to go or what to do. I feel like an old granny when I followed Shadow and Kor. They can see me struggling to jump up the steps... Keep falling... Arghhh... And I took the mesos that belongs to other user, and when told to return to him, I just stood there, not knowing how to reply or return to him... :p
Ok. I shld practise more during my free time!
Meet Up
Arranged to meet up with my first boss for lunch today. She was slightly held up as her meeting over-run. While waiting for her at the ex-co lobby, I bumped into an ex-colleague there. She was surprised that I am brave enuff to initiate a lunch date with my first boss. :p
Something my first boss said over lunch today sounds like a wake-up call to me... She said the greatest hurdle infront of me now is MYSELF. I need to convince myself that I can do it and to cross my own pyschological barrier. I guess this applies to many things in life too, isn't it?
Lunch with first boss was short as she had to rush off for another meeting. But it was a fruitful one for me.
After lunch, I arranged to meet up with 2 other ex-colleagues to catch up. Chat until my voice turn hoarse.
Driving Lesson 17/ Private Lesson 15
Another lesson again for this week after stopping for so long... :p
Told instructor that I wanted to practise driving on main road today. And my wish was granted. ha! He said he forgot to bring his passport as he is going to m'sia later... So i drove him home to take his passport. Since when have I become his unqualified chauffeur?
Practise U-turns and sloping today. It was terrible! haha... I think I m definitely not ready for the Sept driving test.
Instructor said will try to see if my test date can be postponed to Oct. Lets hope so... >.<
Another Offer?
Went for my pre-employment medical check-up today. While waiting for my turn to see the doctor, another offer came by (from Turf Club). I am not sure which position are they going to offer me (Management or Training) as I told them I have already found a job. I am even more curious how much will they be offering me. :p
After the checkup, I went down to the agency to sign a 3-month bond contract, promising that I wouldn't resign from the company for the next 3 months. If I break my promise, I'll pay for the penalty which is like 70% of my first month salary?
After which, I went to meet up with my mentor for lunch. It was nice meeting up with her. Still very motherly. Had pastas with her and the cashier laughed at us for fighting to foot the bill. I won the battle as I stuffed a $50 note to the cashier. Yeah! (",)V
Driving Lesson 16 / Private Lesson 14
If you have been following my blog closely, have you wondered why so long no entry on my driving progress? *Hee* Well, it has taken a backseat for sometimes coz of my painful left knee and also while I focus on my job search. Finally arranged for 1 lesson today. I don't think I wld be in time for my driving test in Sept becoz my driving still sucks! Hope the instructor can help postpone it to Oct...
Today, I requested for the instructor to teach me parallel parking again today. I haven't fully understand the steps the previous round. This time, I went prepared with paper and pen to take down the steps. Highly confusing. And yes... I spent the whole lesson doing parallel parking. Gotta have 100% concentration, else I wld steer wrongly at the wrong time. :p
But my greatest fear is still driving on main road... So many cars... My moving off is slow. Think gotta practise more on that...
Offer!
The co called to make an offer. After discussing with my parents, I accepted the deal. Now, I am glad to announce that I will soon be gainfully employed again! Yipee Yeah Yeah! :)
[I would like to thank my first co boss, mentor, parents, concerned relatives & frens, spiritual grandmas etc... :p]
Went down to sign the letter-of-offer in the afternoon. The agency called up eagerly to congratulate me and asking me to go to their place to sign an agreement to make sure that I stay in the co for at least 3 months. Think I'll go the agency after my pre-employment medical clearance (probably on thurs) as it's along the way.
Somehow, I feel less moody after signing the contract. Now, I gotta make sure that thing works well in this new employment.
Too Fast To React
Quite a lot (on job search) has happened over the past few days... It was totally unexpected and too fast for me to think through properly.
A week ago, I applied for a blind ad job via a job agency. The ad stated the job scope and the location of the company but no name was mentioned. When I asked the job agency for the co's name, they said it's confidential and they cannot review it unless I have been shortlisted. Thinking since it is very near my residence and that I am okie with the job scope, I applied.
The agency called up on Tuesday to say I have been shortlisted and after hearing the name of the co, I nearly fainted... It's a subsidiary of my ex-co... What a small world!
After much persuasion from my parents, mentor n kor, I have decided to go give it a try.
Upon reaching the subsi's premises, I was greeted with familiar sights - same uniformed security guards as per my ex-co. haha!
Round 1 interview was quite comfortable. Don't feel the "interrogation" I had for my earlier few interviews. But I was in a dilemma coz of the subsi and ex-co thingy. I told my ex-co boss about my shortlisting and to my surprise, she replied to say she knew about it. Great! The whole world knows about it before me... By the end of the day, the subsi called to arrange for Round 2 interview. SO FAST!
My ex-co ex-colleague (J) said she gave up on me and asked am i sure i wanna join back subsi of ex-co again. She said if not for my ex-co boss who helped to put in good words for me, do i think i wld go on to round 2 of interview? Felt kinda hurt by this remark. Am I that useless that I need someone to put in good words before I am selected? Low morale.
Round 2 interview with the director proved what J said was true. Ex-co boss has indeed put in good words for me. Is this call string pulling? Did she know about my application even before I know the company? During the interview, I did tell the interviewer about my concerns - feeling of eating backward grass. Will my past in the ex-co affect the impressions of pple in the subsi?
An offer came shortly after I got home, asking me to consider their offer. Mentor called to "scold" me. Asking what I am waiting for? I am jobless anyway.
At the end of the day, I thought - I am not a risk taker. I don't think I wld be like J who will fly around, handling regional issues. I just want to stay on long enough on this job to avoid being named a "job hopper" or to be labelled as "lacked of discipline". So, yes, this job that I am going to accept is very important... I gotta make sure it works out well and if I accept this offer, I gotta prove to the subsi and ex-co that I CAN DO IT! Stress ah!!!
Feeling Exhausted
Went for an interview at the turf club despite remarks from ma and kaima that the environment might be 'happening' (with all the bettings happening around). Pa's thought was "Hey! Go get to know some jockeys and ask for insider tips." ;p of coz, he was kidding...
For all the interviews I have been to, everybody seemed to be very interested to know why after some years of HR, I quit to teach and then now, I wanna return to HR. Sick and tired of all the weird looks from interviewers when they ask this question. Cannot meh?
The interview lasted for about 35 mins, with me having to write an essay for another 1 hour at the end of it.
My after-thought - Don't quite like the nature of the business. Interviewing expat jockeys & horse vets, managing projects and events. The interviewers asked if I am an active person... I guess I replied "ok". But come to think of it, I don't think so. I am not up for the job i guess. So, it's another wasted trip.
Feeling kinda exhausted. Why can't thing juz be smooth sailing? Have I been asking for too much? I just want a peaceful job, good enivironment, reasonable pay. That's all... ;p
Grandma's 3rd year death anniversary
Today is grandma's 3rd year death anniversary. Our thailand and china relatives have put aside their work and flew in all the way to attend the prayer session. Really gladful and touched by their thoughtfulness...
Most of us gathered at 3rd uncle place in the morning to prepare for the prayer session. Some of grandma's temple friends have came to pay their respect too. The shifu arrived at 11am to start the prayer session.
As the shifu chanted those familiar chants, I suddenly got choked by emotions... Those familiar chants which we used to chant everyday during and within 100th day of grandma's death... To some of us, these chants have already been associated to grandma and her death. I hold back my tears and think of happy thoughts that grandma has gone to another world without suffering (paradise) and we should extend our blessings to her.
Towards the end of the prayer session, ma and aunties were overwhelmed by emotions. 3 years is not a long period for them to forget the grief as compared to the times they have spent with grandma (which is like 90 over years?)
After the prayer session, the guests were served with vegetarian buffet.
said
Ya, my mum's voice still chokes with emotions whenever she talks about her mum. I never knew how much she loved her mum till now......
13/8/06 10:13 PM
Karaoke Session For Me...
I am really touched to have really great frens like YW and ML! I guessed after reading my sad interview entry, a karaoke session has been organised for me to sing my heart out? *hee* Althou ML said she wanted company to join her in the singing, I can feel her concern. Althou YW couldn't join in the fun, I can sense her care... Thanks Pals! You are really great! [MUACKS!]
I am such a mountain tortoise. Din't know there was a Kbox there until today... ;p
It was a solid good 3 hours of karaoke for ML and me. I hope I haven't been hogging the mike though. *hee*
Lesson learnt - I shouldn't have wear shorts and slippers coz the place was COLD. Ended up shivering a little from the cold. haha... The lunch provided was COLD too.
That aside, I really enjoyed myself with the singing. Thanks ML for leading me when I forget the tune to certain parts of the songs. ;p
And as for the interview... I'll take it as an experience to position myself in a better light for my next and future interviews.
Oh... What can I say to thank you girls for your thoughtfulness.
I look forward to the next karaoke session on 2 Sept 06! ;p
Happy National Day & Happy 80th Birthday to Godpa!
Happy 41th Birthday, Singapore! We have come a long way ya? This year's national day logo looks pretty good. A little red dot on the world map... and I am glad that I managed to grab hold of a piece of the logo-printed shirt. Just in case you dunno how the logo looks like, here it goes!
I have been pretty patriotic by dressing in red and white today while attending Godpa's 80th Birthday Celebration held at Serangoon Garden's Jumbo Seafood Restaurant. Godpa has come an even longer way ya? Sincerely wishing him longevity and happiness always. There was about 7 tables of guests, with special guests appearance from one of our MPs. ;p The food served was yummilious especially the sharks fin soup. Can't comment much about their speciality chilli crabs as I am allergic to them and thus din't touch the dish. :p Lunch ended with a long happy birthday song in 3 languages (English, Chinese and Cantonese) and a cake cutting session.
After lunch, we scrolled over to godparents' place and had 1 round of mahjong game where I was seen digging into my wallet. It was really digging as I ended up emptying my coins and $10 note and had to borrow $20 from dad to tide myself over. What kinda luck is this?!? Luckily towards the last few games, I manage to earn $20 to return the loan to dad.
It was then dinner (from the lunch left-overs) at godparents' place while watching the national day parade before heading home.
Happy Birthday Godpa & Singapore! Love ya all!
Hurtful Job Interview... :_(
Just as I thought I would be fine... I received a phonecall yesterday from one of the recruitment agencies, arranging for an interview today.
So, I went down with some hope that they can help me arrange for job interview with the hiring company. I went and did some personality tests before the supposed boss of the agency came to interview me.
At the start of the interview, he said a statement point-blank at me - that I lack discipline because I keep changing jobs. (Felt puzzled. If you think I am not disciplined, why call me up for interview in the first place? To ridicule me?) Well, I know I have been changing jobs but I wasn't ready for this kinda remarks. I felt embarassed and hurt. I replied that after going 1 big round, I have realised my interest in management area and would like to make a come-back.
The interviewer then said "Why don't you pay me to do something I like? There is no such thing as doing thing u like in a job becoz people pay you to do things u dun like." True. You can't have 100% enjoyment in a job but at least, it should be your area of interest, isn't it? I questioned about his interest and he said he likes running. Then I replied "Why don't u go run or do something you like instead of doing recruitment since you don't enjoy it?"
At the end of the interview, he said he will try to see if I can fit into any job he has on-hand. Sounds difficult right? After all that he has said...
Although I am mad with his comments, after reflecting through, what he said is true. I have been job-hopping. How am I going to convince my future employer that I'll stay on? How do I get buy-in from my future employer?
I think I have really screwed up my entire career... :S
said
I am shocked anyone can be so RUDE. It is not normally Singaporean is it? I have lost touch with the Singaporean attitude. But hey you know, he is perhaps doing you a favour by being so honest with you. It is not the end of your career - dun let his crude/uncut comments get to ya. It is just one perspective - his. Press on. There will be a way out....
8/8/06 9:08 PM
said
on re-reading his (the interviewer's) comments, i feel he is screwed up himself. he is unhappy with his own job so he has to make everyone else think there is no job where one can be happy. it is not true that we cannot be paid to do something we like. maybe he admires your guts to try and is jealous of your courage to try. wat an ass! if i were u, i would take the objective part of his comments (not 100% though) and relegate the rest to the junk pile, where the likes of him belong. honestly.
8/8/06 9:12 PM
JW said
sounds the same as my interview...
11/8/06 9:32 PM
Closure to my childhood dream?
Today, I woke up early and went to school to join in their national day celebration. It also marks a closure to my childhood dream as it is also the official last day of my service in school as a trainee teacher.
Celebration was fun, with uniform groups students starting off the national day observation ceremony. It was quite cute to watch the little ones marched and I spotted a few of them wearing over-sized uniform. *haha* Brought back some fond memories of my secondary school days when I had to train on my drills during ECA time.
When the celebration ended and as I make my way out of the school gates, I asked myself how i feel...
said
Some sage said, "The journey is more important than the destination," and I tend to agree..... you'll do just fine. Dun stress. Better to have loved and lost than to never have loved. Yeah?
7/8/06 2:59 AM
said
last night, as i was sleeping, i heard a crash - i figured it was my garbage bin toppling over - damn raccoons ransacking my garbage bin again. i went to the living room to check and i was right! i didn't see anything in sight but i could hear sniffing so i knew that raccoon was nearby. then suddenly, i saw him staring at me through my window! "Batman!" I leaned close to his face and snarled at him to frighten him away but he was unfazed. In the end, I ended up banging my window shut and went in search of a squeeze bottle to spray into his face. when i finally managed to find a squeeze bottle, batman was gone! i waited for a bit more then went back to bed as i was getting cold. Grrrr..... I'll get him the next time. I've got the squeeze bottle on standby by the window now. ;>
7/8/06 3:22 AM
WsPinG said
*hee* At least your doubt about the batman has been confirmed and you know how he looks like... Next time, you would be better prepared for him! hiak hiak hiak!
7/8/06 12:10 PM
Fairy Godmother's Birthday
Today is godma's 66th years old birthday. Happy Birthday Kaima!
Godma's birthday celebration dinner was held at Hong Kong Street Restaurant @ Novena. Most of the dishes ordered were my favorite... Let me recall the dishes... Yum!
New Mobile Phone
After experiencing some frustration with my Nokia 6680 mobile phone, I finally gave up n trade in for a new mobile today. The old Nokia 6680 has been cutting off some of my incoming calls and was slow in response in the number keypad.
I wanted a cheap and good mobile - user-friendly, good camera (coz I take quite a far bit of photos & videos with the phone since I dun have a digital camera and it's convenient), reasonable music player n exciting phone themes.
After sourcing around, it was a hard fight between Sony Ericsson K800i and the newly released Nokia N73. Well, budget is a constraint for me... So, yep! I got Sony Ericsson K800i coz it's a few hundred bucks cheaper @ $198.
What can I say... It feels so much lighter than Nokia 6680 and has better camera resolution @ 3.2megapixel (Really Cool!)
I think I need to play around with it to explore its functions in greater details... But so far, I'm enjoying it! =)
