I’ll be home for Christmas

I break my own records in term of Christmas songs listened. Thanks to my colleague who lend me the 5Cds of Christmas collection songs, I have successfully updated my Christmas songs database.

I will be going out in one hour time to airport, just nice to reach home before Christmas. It has been quite a habit for me to type blog in rush before I’m going to airport, I don’t know why. Maybe I just don’t like to keep my blog to stale for too long XP

Yesterday, I had my last day in my team… They had been a great team, and I have obviously learnt a lot more about working in financial industry :) I appreciate their patience in teaching me, despite knowing that I won’t be staying in team for long.

After New Year, I’ll be in a new team. Before I left, I have moved all my stuff back to my previous desk. The moving part took much longer than expected… and I truly apologized for everyone that I have put to disadvantage because of this. The improper good bye to the team, the awkward rush to the boss, the long waiting to my friend, the unfulfilled dinner promise and all other things… I definitely need to have a more proper planning next time.

But still, I have had a great week before that. Thanks Endy and Tomy for inviting me to Fendi B’day party… May I wish you all the best Fendi… All the best in job hunting! Like what Tomy said, we believe that you will be a big boss very soon! =D


On 19th December 2008, Happy Birthday Fendi!

Thanks flatmates for accompanying me to do last minute shopping at Bukit Timah Plaza. $100++ is really another record breaking for a single Fair Price receipt. You guys are such a great shopper! XP I think I somehow being influenced by the Christmas season, that I bought more than I planned. Lucky that everything can still fit inside my bag.

Alright, time to go now. I’m bringing 4 hand phones and 3 watches back to Medan. Wish me luck :p

Merry Xmas and Happy New Year in advance!
ED

Days to Christmas

Year 2008 is coming to an end! Christmas is getting nearer and decoration has been placed everywhere. I went to Suntec city on Friday with Le, and was totally astonished with the decoration. It’s beautiful! The nicest Christmas decoration I see this year. Or maybe it is the companion that makes it so special? (Wakakak.. peace Le, just kidding, don’t get scared k, I’m straight)


Floating Christmas Tree @ Suntec

On Saturday, I went for whole day gift hunting at Orchard and Vivocity. Not bad, I got what I need in the end ^^ thanks to Son for being such a great logis.. er.. shopping partner =D We took bus 963 from Habourfront bus.. and we were home in less than an hour.

Sunday, as usual, is the slacking day. I feel so good to sleep until 11.30 – my first long sleep of the month. I woke up lazily, cook instant noodle for lunch, and completed the first season of Big Bang Theory. Geez, I felt that Sheldon is quite annoying and I’m so similar to him T_T

Btw, back to the Saturday at orchard, I went to Kinokuniya and trying to find the Clamp artbook for Code Geass. I saw several Code Geass books, including the Code Geass - Lelouch of the Rebellion Illustrations Rebels that I adored last time. I found one of the Artbooks that indicated it is from Clamp… But I really refused to believe in it. The art book looks so-so… the drawings are so different from anime such that it didn’t bring memories to any of the character personalities.. which make me disappointed :( I’m looking forward for Clamp better artbook. Haha..

Mutuality – Clamp works in Code Geass

I didn’t have many things to say about office this week… I did mistakes here and there, but yeah, I’m learning along the way :) On Friday night before leaving the office, I decided to take a picture of the Christmas tree at the office building.

Taken from outside the office glass building

It’s not very big, but I’m glad that we still have one :) btw, the whole Singapore seems to be saving on electricity for Christmas tree. I saw the “Save more than X% of usual use” in almost every Christmas tree! Yeah.. at least they got an excuse why the Christmas tree this year didn’t look as awesome as last year :p

Anyway, It’s 10 days to Christmas… and the spirit is really everywhere :) Let this season be joyful…

10 days to home,
ED

The long weekend~

Market hasn’t been getting better :( Everything is going down the hill again this week. On Thursday, I heard bad news from colleagues at ORQ… the most worried thing was finally right in front of our face. I didn’t know much about what happened… but hearing from the rest, it has been a painful day…

Time passed slowly on Friday. Office was quite empty, and not many trades were done. I finished before 6.30! Either people are still adjusting to the news, or people are already in the mood for the long holiday. I hope that it is the latter. As my colleague is coming back from her MTA leave, I moved back to my table across her table. I stayed until 8.00 before having a nice dinner with my friends. I started with laksa, then continue with some drinks and sate outside. The sate was indeed delicious =) it was 10 sticks / $6, stall 7 – 8, beef. I ate around 3 and I finished the whole peanut sauce. The very next day, I got pimple as the compliment T_T

Saturday, I accompanied my friend to apply for credit card… and then, the staff offered us some insurance. I haven’t got any (except for maybe the default insurance from company), and I am really not interested in getting one. The promoter always mentioned that this is the best year for us to get one, when we’re still ‘young’ blablabla… But then.. it just never really cross my mind to get an insurance. The promoter said that she already got 8 insurances, quoting that Singaporean is kiasu.. hmm… I don’t know, should I plan to get insurance as well?

Talking about planning.. I realized that I’m so slow in it. I haven’t even decided whether to get a PR or not, where all my working friends are already getting one. (Suddenly realize that I don’t have a proper future planning T_T) Wew. There are really a lot of choices and decisions to be made. I quite miss the university life where almost everything is predefined and you don’t have many choices: p

For now, the border is your imagination… And I choose to imagine myself in a simple working life, from 9 to 6 everyday, with pay slip every month, and some hang out with friends every weekends. Too simplified? It is. When my friends start to think about getting PhD, setting up business, settling down, I can’t even decide where to stay next year T_T Anybody want to be my personal planner? Hahaha…

Alright, continuing my Saturday adventure… after the credit card application and lunch, I went for my very first Karoeke session @ NTU Alumni Club. It is located at Buona Vista, a place at the top of a hill. Quite a nice place (will be nicer if I didn’t wear high heels) and the Karoeke session is great =) $10/hour with 10% discount for NTU Alumni. The songs provided are quite diversity and up to date =] For the first time, I discovered that my sister is a singing queen. So proud of you, Fina!! (what a thick face sister I am… lol)


After 3 hours of singing

The karoeke session ended at 5.30, then we continued with shopping at city hall until 10.30 and haven’t get enough of it and planned to go shop again on Monday :p

I spent my Sunday cleaning my room and toilet, washing my cloths, and having a nice KFC lunch with shifu and bro. So glad to finally meet and catch up with them =D Congratz for finishing the exam and FYP presentation!! I’m looking forward for some first-pay-check treat in months to come :p We leave KFC at almost 4, then did some shopping, and I reached back home at almost 6. I felt quite weird of walking up the slope on afternoon time, with bright sun and no light lit up. At home, I even felt weirder of being the only one there. I spent my time cleaning up kitchen, chatting, calling, dining, before dipping myself to some Photoshop experiences. This Sunday has been a relaxing one for me :)

Next, Monday, the gifted holiday, I went to Bugis together with Inche, Henry, and Winson. I was so determined to get a new camera. The retail price is $799. The first shop quoted me $770… I went to another shop… and he quoted me $580! I asked for $520 and he said OK, with pay off from 8gb to 4 gb camera. I was so excited at that time, but still asking few other shops before buying from it. Others gave the price in range of $640 - $690, but no as low as $520. I felt quite weird, but decided to go for it anyway.

Guess what, he turned me down when I was about to pay! He said that the camera will only be coming next week and recommended me another model at the same price instead. But few minutes before, he already said that everything is on stock. So fishy. And thanks to my friends who helped me to check price while he was introducing new camera to me, the other model was actually only worth $380. Knowing that they are cheater, my mood went down afterwards... but I decided not to give up yet.

I went to Mustafa, where people said that the stuff there is cheap and original. They quote me at $725… still way too high for my budget of $600.

At the end of the journey… I didn’t get a new camera. But I think it’s worth the time and effort tough. I will try to learn more functionality of my current camera first. Maybe it has some hidden functionality yet to be figured out XP

At around 5, we went to orchard, shopped for a bag, dine, then finally realizing my wishes of taking the night Christmas view of Orchard. Special thanks to helios and his great camera =D


Christmas Tree @ Orchard

I reached back home at almost 10.30… after showered and ironed my cloth, time is already 12.30… and this is the time to sleep now…

Life goes on,
ED

Last day of November

Although nothing significant changes in my daily life, this week is indeed a horrible week for the world…

Chaos in Thailand, terror in India, job cuts everywhere… how are we supposed to be joyful of the upcoming Christmas? :(

There are few major incidents happened in my office this week. But I’m too small to act upon it (alright, call it an excuse). In fact, I don’t even really understand the situation, but everyone seems to be so worried, running here and there and staying late. I myself stayed late because of the guilty feeling of leaving earlier while everyone looked so busy. Haha.

Anyway, it wasn’t a bad decision. Sometimes, they did ask me to help with some stuff =D But I did understand that I was too junior for most of the stuff... the rule simply stated that I don’t have the power and responsibility to do some of the things. Everything looks very fragile in operation team. I once sent out a wrong report to other team… and the aftermath was quite fatal. I realized it only on the next day. Everyone was sending me clarification emails, and I took 2 hours to rectify the situation. Ha, I also get my first warning email through email. “Kindly ensure that the report is right before sending it out”. Thanks team… I learnt my lesson T_T now I felt lucky not to be in charged of higher risk task… I’m still way too careless v_v

Time passed by… and it has been a week with the absence of my two colleagues. I admired the determination of my other colleague, who work restlessly almost everyday to cover the job. She neither came later nor left earlier than me. And knowing that her daughter is ill in hospital, she must be really strong to depress the urge to go back early. It’s lucky that her daughter is getting better now. Being a career woman is definitely not easy huh? I really feel being thrown to the other side of life that I almost never think of.

This Saturday, I went to SITEX at expo. It was so crowded… but I still managed to squeeze my way through and saw some techs stuff. The more I see Mac Book Pro, the more I wonder why I haven’t gotten one yet. What should I do? T_T I can’t just abandon my current notebook too. Something applies to the Lumix camera. Aarrggh, my heart is just too soft when dealing with tech. hahaha.

After a whole day at SITEX, I managed to buy a pair of slipper (Huh?) from the sale at the neighborhood halls. John Little was having a big sale there. The queue was more than 1 hour for a pair of slipper… doesn’t really worth the wait, unless you’re with bunch of good friends who take turn to queue for you (thanks so much fendi, tomy, winson! :p)

We went to Aljunied to have my very first chili crab in Singapore @ No Signboard restaurant. It was OK. The blackpepper crabs taste better :p I ate too much crabs that my friends kept saying that I talk a lot of crabs on the next day T_T


Chili Crab! @ No Signboard


After everything was gone... to the stomach...

This Sunday, I woke up before 6… to help my friends move from CCK to BG. It was early, but I wasn’t felt sleepy. Only after I’m back at home at around 2, I can’t help but to doze off for 3 hours. I got a bit of headache when I woke up, but was quite sure it was because I sleep too much +_+


Wishing you all a pleasant stay!

After a proper dinner, I started to do the very-long-delayed write up. My writing skill is real bad. I focused for the next 3 hours, but still come out with weird write up… aahh.. T_T

Stressed up, I went out to iron my cloth and wrote blog. Now.. must continue with the write up T_T

Welcome, December
ED

School...?

Office has been good. I started to get used to my new seat. My direct boss is back from Japan, but I am now in different office with her… so it didn’t make much difference. She bought the love letter snack from Japan.. as usual, the packaging is very nicee.. I finished it before I realized that I forgot to take a picture of it T_T

This week, the PSLE (Primary School Leaving Examination) result is out. Since almost everyone in my office is married with kids (only 4 are singles), it becomes one of the hottest topics for this week: what is their grades? how many stars they get? how many A’s? who failed? which school they pick? I learnt so much new terms there (ha, kidsSkill++)

Looking at their anxiety, I realized that the PLSE means much more for them, in comparison with the national exam back to my home country. No parent (at least in my hometown) was so worried when it comes to exam result. Same thing, the students themselves didn’t feel much as well. Your exam result is out and u pass. That’s it. (and if you can’t pass, there is always a way to turn the result around :p)

In Singapore, the grade that you get will more or less determine whether you will be in express class or regular class, whether you will be in this school or that school. I feel that it’s really unique in its own way… but might be stressing for the students themselves.

Anyway, schooling seems so far away from me now… After 4 months, I can’t remember how to study anymore T_T I have a small reunion with my SCE friends on Saturday (kudos to SCE Alumni Club!) The reunion place was... Singapore Flyer! And with a great 8 course dinner @ Seafood Paradise afterwards. All within the price of $30. Definitely worth it =D


The Signature Creamy Butter Crab served with Chinese Buns

I love Singapore Flyer more than the London Eyes. Singapore just know how to make people feel exclusive. Since it's near christmas, the capsule is decorated with Christmas accesories. Love it :)

Saying goodbye to Helios, our photographer, who get it to another capsule T_T

As usual.. when a bunch of classmate meet.. they gossip XP.. we ate until around 9.30, then took a shuttle bus back to Cityhall… and went back home afterwards.

This Sunday... hmm… just another relaxing Sunday for me. Sleep until 11, lunch at Westmall with Fendi WK and the rest, iron cloth, chat, email friends, blog, and lets end it with a Magadascar movie =D

Coming back home for Christmas,
ED

Flatmate Wanted

After nagged by my parents all these times, I’m thinking of moving out from my home sweet home next year :( This time, my parents gave me strict rules of finding place:
1. Near working location, which means somewhere around Tanjong Pagar
2. Near hawker center and transportation, which means somewhere near MRT.

Those two conditions are actually enough to make me broke T_T haha… adding my own preference to find a single room, I will need to act fast to find a place within budget.

Without further ado… ladies, I’m looking for flatmates~ who want to stay somewhere around Tiong Bahru… moving in around July – August 2009. Please contact me if anyone is interested… =D

…Or the other way round, if anyone is looking for flatmate, please include me in :p haha..

Trying my luck,
ED

Happy Birthday, Che!

I can’t sleep well in these past few days. I woke up before 9, even during weekend! Something is really wrong =.=’

However, it led to my mind wandering for the rest of the day. I kept doing silly things, forgot what I supposed to do, and scribbled through my sentences… even as I’m typing this blog, I have no idea how to start… this is not a good sign ^^;

My routine is back this week… wake up, work, eat, sleep. I felt blessed and sick with my routine at the same time. I think I need to add some ‘spices’ to it, but I haven’t decided what. Work is quite manageable, but I can’t really predict what time I can leave, as it depends on how many trades done for the day… so I can’t really plan anything for evening… hmm… sound like trying to find an excuse for myself XP

Nothing really special in office this week… On Thursday, our director paid us a visit... That’s a nice surprise. He looked fine! And super casual with his shirt and jeans ^^;

On Friday, everybody seemed to be motivated by him and wore so casual as well. Even I wear white jeans XP haha… That day, I moved to office next door. A lot of arguments were flying around regarding the best seat, the Feng Shui, the hassles, etc etc… I can’t help but plug on my earpiece and start to work.. not because I wasn’t interested.. but because I can listen to it all day long and abandon my work. Haha… My seat was quite nice, hidden except from someone behind me.

Friday was the launching day for WoW The Warth of The Lich King. I’m not a fans of gaming (definitely NOT! Can’t even play puzzle bubble), but I follow my colleague to the preorder collection after lunch. It was such a looonngg queue there.. And I can’t help but to take pics :p

The launching of WoW. Can hardly find gal there

At night, Che2 told us that she finally found a new place to stay: Bukit Gombak. Now she is getting nearer to us ^^ glad to hear about it.

Saturday was a full day out. I went to Westmall (after making 4 times way back to home as we forgot to get things), then get a cake for Che2, and went straight to Clementi for the highlight of the day: birthday celebration =D Expected but not predicted by me, all of them (except tatsu and winson who I dragged along) were late T_T but it was a nice delay actually, since everyone gathered at almost the same time, and we can have a great lunch together =D


@ Botak Jones Clementi

I was quite surprised when I saw Inche wearing similar clothing with me. Green and white, top and bottom. We didn’t plan for it at all, really. It was a nice coincidence though :p

The birthday celebration finished at around 2.. then most of us decided to pay a visit to west coast plaza, a new plaza at Clementi area. As normal got-nothing-to-do folks, we walked around, then stopped at Starbucks to talk about current gossip :p


Infront of Christmas Tree - feel like back to school old days ;p

Later at around 5, we went to a classical concert at NUS. We took the free shuttle bus from west coast mall to NUS. The bus driver was sooo nice to stop us at where we supposed to. When I get down from the bus, I felt the sense of achievement.

Finally, yeah, finally… after more than 4 years in Singapore… I finally landed my feet at NUS! Muahahahaa… (I only laugh inside my heart of course). We had a walk there, had a student price mega mac (it was hugee!) then went for the concert. Thanks to fidel, the seat booked was a very great balcony area. We could do cam-whore there without disturbing anyone XP everything was very great… except… erm… of my poor appreciation towards classical music. I dozed off within the next 15 mins. I didn’t really know what happened for the next two hours… only seeing the conductor kept coming in and out, and people can’t stop clapping…


NUS Conservatory of Music Hall

Back to Bukit Batok, it took me less than 2 hours to doze off until the next morning XP

On Sunday… again, I woke up early. Not really have anything to do… just can’t sleep T_T I started my day with a great breakfast (thanks to Tomy’s mum) then replying my friends email, having a huge lunch, watching dark knight, then having another huge dinner and fruit.

Now... just finished ironing cloths and got prepared for tomorrow… time flies.

Btw, I started to get used to my new phone already =D I love my E66.. although some people said that it’s a lousy phone and made me hurt T_T I haven’t used the full function, but I’m happy with the wireless. Will try out the GPS soon :p hahaha…

For everyone who is on exam mood… ganbatte!
ED

A long week

On Monday, I went for the weekly lunch with graduate. We needed to forgo Glen, but we got Paul as replacement :) We went to coffee and toast (my first time there). When I walked inside, I saw…. My ex supervisor from Apple!!! I was so surprise to see him there… lucky that someone already told me that he moved to other company… else I might thought that Apple has moved to Tanjong Pagar. I tried to call him, but my weak voice and the noise just made it went unnoticed. Failed to even say hi to him, I messaged him during my way back home. He agreed for a lunch on next day.

On Tuesday… I got in touch few friends that I thought I will never see anymore. After my supervisor, I got a message from Ha Lien and a call from Loy. It was just so… unbelievable. I knew all of them during my internship at apple, and it was just such a coincidence for all of them to contact me again at the same day, without any particular event. Weird! I also met my CEC committee, Malla and Julian. Again, at the same day. It just felt so nostalgic.

On Wednesday… Another day of staying late at office. I felt like fainting when I dragged my feet out from office. I went for a nice dinner together with moja, then have a guided tour around his office. Only one word to describe his office… AWESOME! The only office that can beat it, the one that I have seen so far, is only Google. His pantry has almost anything I can wish for: various juices, fruits, beer, yogurt, bread, cornflakes, biscuits, snacks, chocolate, everything! Have I mentioned that they have pool and wide screen monitor for wii? And he got double LCD monitor as well! I kept wowing until my friend has to show me the way to go out from the office XP hahaha.. it was really a nice place there… Maybe I can go there every time I need supper.


Heaven in Office

On Thursday… Sab and I went for lunch together with moja and nata. It was a nice catch up, with highlight on the hottest issues around SCE world. Hahaha.. Some are not so good news, but most are great =D really want to congratulate the related parties asap :p

Friday… was the farewell day. I wasn’t in the mood of doing anything. I junked a lot, and seemed to annoy my friend T_T so sorry… After my two routine works (which occupied me less than 2 hours), I started the documentation and porting my stuff to notebook. I did some silly thing during the setup, and I lost all the documentation I did for the day. Sigh. T_T Didn’t manage to redo all the things, as time hit 7 and it was the time for the farewell…

We had a farewell dinner at LPS.. The menu ordered was nice.. but I can’t really enjoy the food. The dinner ended at 10.. we wished him the best of luck… and I really wished that it wont be my last time seeing him… Please pay us a visit k!

On Saturday, I went to Singtel to complain about my tripled bill. They didn’t really have solution for me, but they manage to attract me to get my new E66 (my contact has expired on 22nd 08). Bye $338~ and I’m being tied 2 years to Singtel again. Haha..

After the phone, I went to Suntec, wandering around with Inche and Boly, before going for James Bond at night with the rest. The movie is… OK? As what Helios has told me, it did have some connection to Casino Royale… and I regretted (abit) that I haven’t watch the first movie T_T

Here come Sunday, noting the end of another week. I slept until almost 1… have a nice lunch (thanks to Tomy as the chef), have a suffering pantry cleaning afterwards, then continued with ironing my cloths and playing with my new phone. From outside, E66 looks nice… but the GUI is still questionable so far. I am unable to switch the address book to show both name and number at the same display. I still prefer the user friendliness of my old 6280. Maybe will take some time for me to get use to it.


E66 - Welcome Screen

The phone took my whole day. After dinner and a chat with my sister, now is the time for… Casino Royale =D Credit to Helios for the movie :)

Looking forward to next week…
ED

My (Future) Gadgets

I have decided on what I’m going to have for the next few years!

Mobile Phone: Nokia E66

Reasons:
- GPS!
- Phone contract has expired
- Most importantly: current phone is begging for retirement

Digital Camera: Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3

Reasons:
- Wide angle!
- Amazing Settings- 10.1 Mega Pixels
- Most importantly: tested and recommended by credible photographer :p

Note Book: Apple MacBook Pro 17-Inch

Reasons:
- Do you have a reason not to?
- Where elegance meets performance
- Most importantly: It looks cool! XP (although most people say it looks geeky on gal ^^;)

They are ordered according to the difficulty to get (in term of the $$$) hahaha.. I'll just keep the list to three first.

Now... let's work hard to earn and get them all T_T
ED

Welcome, Nov...

This week is so different… there was only 4 working days, but so many things happened. It made me so tired, both physically and mentally, even worse than my first week of adjusting back to Singapore.

On Tuesday, I went to work as usual. There was nothing much, except myself struggling to absorb all the information as much as possible. I went home at 8 and felt tired.

On Wednesday, my colleague taught me a new process… and they put me to be in charged of it as soon as they finished teaching. “So happen” that day was the day where the volume of the process got tripled… and I stayed until 11 without finishing even half of my work. I went home and worked again until 3am.

On Thursday, I needed to reach office earlier to pass them my work. I thought that I will pass a pleasant afternoon, but I was definitely wrong. We faced a lot of problem… and 3 of the 5 problems were due to my failure to warn them earlier about the possible risk, despite of my job to do the exposure check. I think they must hate me to the core… I didn’t do it on purpose, definitely. I was overloaded with all the information given, was too tired with the long working hours, which lead me to check on the wrong field instead. I know that shouldn’t be an excuse for doing the mistakes though… so I just tried to accept the consequence. Lesson learnt along the way =) I tried to go back earlier and did my PMO until 2am.

On Friday, I did another handful of mistakes (I’m not proud of it), some almost caused the bank to pay 3M for the interest rate. Everything was pretty bad but under control, not until I received the most shocking news of the month…

Our director resigned.

He resigned. The one who interviewed me, who accepted me, who said hi to me even before I started to work, who invited me to Townhall presentation, who fought for our benefit in graduate program, who asked us to claim for warm cloths, who always told jokes, who always brought food, who had become such a fabulous mentor, who had been working for 12.5 years.

I lost my composure when Kelvin first told me about it. I felt like I almost cried when he announced it during the farewell lunch. All these months, there were only 2 lunches together with him so far… Once was to welcome us. Now is to bid farewell to him. Wasn’t this too cruel?

It was so dishearten when I heard that he never planned to leave the company this way. At night after work, I felt unmotivated… I had dinner at somewhere near office (only by then I realized that day was Halloween), went home, and tried to accept the reality… I slept at 3, still on unbelieving mode of what happen this week. How easy can someone life change.

On Saturday morning, I went to visit Lily sis at Bedok. I felt bad of looking sleepy in front of her T_T she treated me lunch, brewed tea for me, and drove me to Bugis. She was so kind to me… so were her sons. I felt much more relax after meeting her. At Bugis, I went to pray and have some chat with friend. Afterwards, I went to Jess B’day party. Although the members weren’t completed, it was joyous to be together.


@Boon Lay with cute short hair lady beside me :p

We chat aloott.. from latest gossip until the current turmoil financial situation. I reached back home only at 12… and slept at almost 3.. (again =.=) There were quite a lot of ‘exciting’ things happening at our house.. Started from fridge broke down, washing machine can’t dispose water, stove can’t fire, internet can’t work… all thing seems to come together as one :S

On Sunday, I woke up at 12… Just when I’m holding my phone, my dad called. We talked for around half hour... a nice way to start my Sunday ^^ haha… afterwards, I ordered new gas tube, went showered, brought lunch, then relaxing for a while, before embracing another challenging week ahead…

Another month passes by,
ED

Second Rotation Starts!

I was quite surprised when told that I would be starting my second rotation within a week. On Tuesday, I needed to brief my team members of what tasks I would leave behind. On Wednesday, I moved to new desk and started on my new role. I still can't believe that I'm given the chance to get hands on MO work. It is just so different from Technology... and I'm absolutely thrilled. Feel like getting access to somewhere that I shouldn't be. Hope that they don't suddenly realized that I have no value in Operations and moved me back too soon.

With all the jetlagging and settling down to new rotation, this has been quite a tough week for me. I yawned even when my boss explaining new tasks to me! How worse can it be? Still, I have a great dining at Westmall on Friday night, have fun at EM Family day on Saturday, have a small reunion with seniors on Monday, and watch a comedy show “Meet Dave”.


All-time-respected seniors

Still, after all of that, I felt empty once I reached back home. Haven't figured out what is wrong with me.

Bye to 9 to 6 work. Hi to 9 to 9,
ED

Code Geass – Lelouch of The Rebellion (2)

Now that the series has ended, I can say that it was one of the best anime I have ever watched. The ending was not only unexpected, it was beautiful. It changes my whole perception about Lelouch, and I think I love the character more than ever before :p


Lelouuuucchhhh~ You're so cooollll

Kudos need to be given to the graphic designer as well, who knows well of when and where to show the characters as bold or soft or even mellow. After finished with the series, I went to look for the illustration artbook (Code Geass - Illustration Rebels), and totally fell in love with the cover page.

So, overall, 5 stars out of 5. Thanks so much for accompanying me every week. You have been the only thing I feel thankful for when knowing that the day is Monday. Now I totally have no motivation for Monday anymore… T_T

Anybody have anime suggestion? :p

Waiting for CLAMP’s Code Geass Artbook on 6 December,
ED

I got my new passport…

… but oh, how I missed my old passport :( I have so many memories in it… started with its complicated acquirer, the lucky 07/07 expiring date, the rush of US Visa, the hassle of China Visa, and even the excitement of UK Visa… all of them are buried inside my dear A29**** passport. I repeated those number in so many applications that I believe I will remember it for the rest of my life. How can it just leave me like that?

I went to apply for my new passport this Tuesday. I never knew that they treat passport lost case so seriously that I even had to go through interview! I was being scold to the fact that I lost my passport, being warned that I won’t get a replacement if I lost it again, and being fine $80 for my negligence. Sigh. I had been fine in UK, now again in SG. I hope that I really learn something this time… (please please, this is not an empty wish)

And then… I went to collect my passport on Thursday (2 working days - they are really efficient!) Once I collected it… I hate everything about it! T_T I don’t like the way they cut the photo so big, I don’t like the new number, I don’t like the yellowish book, I don’t like the remark stated as “replacement of lost passport”, I don’t even like the expiry date! Ha… I know that I go a bit too much… but I was quite down at that day, looking at my new empty passport.

Now the passport thing is done, next step will be getting my new employment pass. Wish me luck T_T

Welcome, S38****
ED

I want to learn multitask!

I know that my English is bad, but my conversational English is unbelievably bad! I can’t think of “what” and “how” to talk next at the same time. If I need to make a comment spontaneously, I’ll just spill it out without any grammar.

“She have his dinner, isn’t it?”

Ha, I really shocked to see how many grammar mistakes I can made in such a short sentence. Essentially, I figure out that I’m still converting from my primary language to English. Since my primary language doesn’t have such kinds of complicated rules, I suffer when I need to instantaneously convert it to stricter language form.

It has been more than 4 years since I came to Singapore. It’s funny how I still troubled so much with the language conversion, while it took me less than 2 weeks to get used converting SGD to Rupiah.

This communication thing get even worse when I ought to tell story all in sudden. I felt like fainting every time people asked “so, what you did on weekend?” I would start jumbling my words without any clue of what I’m talking about. To think about the flow, the content, as well as the grammar and intonation at the same time; is simply too much for me…

Am I weird? Yeah, I found out that most people can handle it without any problem. Even like in interrupting or joining a conversation, some people can just do it so nicely while the rest just feel so rude and harsh. I want to be at the first part… T_T But still, here I am suffering in basic communication T_T I really feel bad… For those people who feel this communication thingy just come naturally, please feel blessed…

When I am trying to figure out my problem, one of my friends suggested that I might be a bad multitasking person. I am too focused in one thing, too narrow minded, and can’t adjust to the flow of conversation. Gosh. I figure out that I have a lot of soft skill to learn, really… :(

Never-ending learning,
ED

The Induction Training – Week 5, 6 and the End

After the communication training, our group circle was getting more and more narrowed. Among the GTO itself, we’re being separated between Technology and Operation. For the rest of the two weeks, I was in the same group with four most fabulous people ever! Thanks to their management skill, I passed my two weeks without really bugged by project and exam.. XP

Exceptional team member! p^^q

Right after the “unexpected” exam on Thursday, we went to dockland for dragon boat competition. It was my first time dragon boating… and I must say that it was really fun! It boasted my appetite for the next BBQ session. It was our last get together day… took a lot of pics until around 10 before they continued drinking at other location while I went back and passed off.


Dragon Boat team members!

On the last day of the training, I realized that there were still so many important places that I haven’t visited yet. Right after my class was declared over, I run to Natural History Museum. I intended to spend only one hour there, but I was really too astonished by it.. and finally be there until the place closed at 6. Afterwards, I took train to Baker street, simply to touch down at the place where Sherlock Holmes was realized. In the next 5 mins, I took the tube to King’s Cross station, again, only for the sake of Harry Potter’s Platform 9 ¾. Haha..


Awesome Natural History Museum!


Sitting outside Sherlock Holmes's House :p


Going to Hogwarts

I intended visit our London's office, Shakespeare’s House and Tate Modern, but the time called for dinner and I must end the adventure of the day… T_T I am not a good time keeper after all. Sigh. But I did enjoy my short adventures XP I have my last dinner at Leicester Square, which is the China Town of London. After the fulfilling dinner, I went to the farewell party at Buckingham gate… and finally bid farewell to all of the graduates.

Back to my place, I have one last look before start packing and packing. Time was 3am when I finished packing and rest for the day. I was so sure that I will miss the comfy bed (and yes, I did). I woke up at 6 at the next day, have my shower and breakfast, checked out from City Tower… take train to Heathrow… check in to SIA… and even before I realized it, I reached back SG.

There are few things that I am surely going to remember about London:
- No phone reception once you’re in tube (MRT) station! That was super annoying!
- Expect the tube to be down every weekend
- It’s almost impossible to find dish washing soap except those for dish washing machine liquid
- None of Singapore’s umbrella survive the weather there (China’s does!)
- The fries doesn’t come with chili sauce


Wonder who are buying these chocholates...

Everything that I learn there makes me appreciate Singapore more and more =)

Glad to eat chicken rice again,
ED

The Induction Training – Week 4

I’m done with communication modules, and I’m still alive! Yay! The last trainer was the most akward one so far... He looked so young and unexperienced... He almost never gave feedback to our comment. Whenever someone asked questions, he opened it to the floor to answer. After we gave some probable answers, he didn't give his own comment. Super weird! I was very curious if he really knew anything. But surprisingly, our from the other 4 communications sessions (presentation, negotiation, business writing, business graphics), I talked the most in this class... which is a class about "Managing across culture". He really forced me to. Maybe this is a good way to end my communication training afterall... Thanks then! :p

Well.. other than that... nothing much changes beside my size. With the buffet breakfast, five-course lunch, sumptuous dinner everyday, I can’t help but getting wider and wider T_T

On Monday, we have a great dinner at one of our friend’s apartment, Eric, who is going back soon to Taiwan after the end of his training this week... All of us cook together (except me who pretended to be busy taking pictures). The food was amazing and (thanks) none of us get stomach aches. I wont elaborate too much on the food (as I got hungry again), but the companion was really great ;)


The chefs, the servants, and the guests

Btw, just realized that my internet connection will expired soon in less than 1 week :( I won’t be able to update again… If I extended the internet, it will be another 45 pounds, another 120 SGD T_T I prefer to use it for 20 KFC meals :p

My parents are going to Sydney this week to meet their granddaughter. hahaha... wish that they will have a great time there ^^

For those who celebrate it, Selamat Hari Raya Idul Fitri 1429H!
ED

The Induction Training – Week 3 (2)

Within a glance of eye, I have passed half of my training.

Yesterday, after a tiring day at stonehenge, I have a nightmare… that my bag is stolen for the second time. My boss was there when it happened, which made her so angry to me. At the time she decided to fire me, I woke up… and realize at time is already 11++!! I slept at 12 yesterday.. Simple math shows that I have slept for almost 12 hours O.o


@Stonehenge - nothing but a big stone ^^;

I rush to meet up with other friends and have a buffet at Singaporean restaurant. After the fulfilling lunch, we went to Greenwich and finally stepped on the 0 latitude =D


Singaporean food in London! (for 8 pounds)


On Natioanl Rail Station to Greenwich


@ Greenwich!

We reached back home at around six, then I have some silent time to reflect of what I have done for the past three weeks... but reach no conclusion. I felt that I have been much more silent here than when I’m in Singapore. Hahaha…

I started my communication class last Friday… will continue with negotiation class tomorrow T_T

BTW! Want to extend my congratulations to both of my dear friends... who just get into relationship :p What so special is... both were my highschool classmate for 3 years! (which means that both of them were classmate as well..) that's so sweet~

OK, going to sleep now, 10:51 GMT
ED

I got a niece!

On 23 September 21.34pm Sydney time… My brother became a dad! :p hahaha.. Congrats, my dear sister and brother…

I was quite sleepy when I opened the message, but suddenly become totally awake when I read the news. The baby was expected to come next week, but seems like she just too eager to see the world already.


Aurelie Tiffany Salim

Sweetty.. I wish to meet you soon. Be a healthy, strong, and good girl k! :p

Auntie,
ED

The Lost Passport Case - Closed

Today, I received information that I don’t have to reapply for UK Visa. I stared blankly as the confirmation e-mail was being printed out. Finally… I can close the passport case from my mind… (At least until I am back to Singapore).

It really has been a big mess. First time, I thought I will just need to reapply for a passport, and that’s it. The first adrenalin’s rush came after I heard that Embassy of Indonesia can’t provide me with a new passport, as I’m only holding a business visitor visa in UK.

Indo Embassy: “Sorry, you have to be either a student or holding work permit to request for a passport here”
Me: “Oh, I only have Singapore’s Work Permit”
Indo Embassy: “So you can go back to Singapore to make your passport”
Me: “But, what am I supposed to do without a passport?”
Indo Embassy: “We can issue you a travel document, to certify that you can enter Indonesia to make a new passport”
Me: “But I’m flying back to Singapore! Will I be able to enter Singapore?”
Indo Embassy: “You’ll need a work permit to be able to enter Singapore”

Work permit issuer: “Don’t worry Erlin, we can reissue a new work permit for you”
Me: “Thanks so much!”
Work permit issuer: “No Problem! Just let me know when you have get your new passport”
Me: “…”

At the end of the day, I knew that I need passport to make a new work permit and I need a work permit to enter Singapore and make a new passport. What a chicken and egg situation. I was really unsure if I can enter Singapore.

To make thing worse, I read through the online FAQ that if I lost my passport, I need to reapply for UK Visa. Nothing is being mentioned of what will happen if I didn’t reapply. Great, now I am not even sure if I can exit UK.

And as I can’t get through the UK immigration officer phone, I was so stress up. Top up with the upcoming exam, I was really in a bad mood. Finally after a week of arrow pointing in UK, I asked for help from Singapore. In less than 2 working days, everything is settled. I called Embassy of Indonesia in Singapore, and they told me that I can still enter Singapore as long as I have the copy of my work permit with me (thanks God I have it). And then, my manager helped me to check and confirm that I don’t have to reapply for UK visa. Perfect =D

Now I have nothing to worry and I can focus on my training… but guess what, I was sleepy throughout the training just now T_T Maybe I have been using too much of my adrenalin. Or maybe I need to do some sport to keep my spirit. Or maybe I need more rest. Or I’m simply a lazy pig.

The last one make most sense,
ED

The Induction Training – Week 3 (1)

Thanks to my late sleep on Sunday, I can hardly wake up on Monday. Thanks to my sister to keep me awake by asking some serious questions.

Today, I finally gathered with all the GTO at Prospero House. The breakfast there was good (or because I was bored with the Hatton’s?) And the introduction briefing is not bad.

Right after the briefing, once I know the schedule for today, I decided to go to Indonesian Embassy today, as it will cost less than tomorrow. I called Indonesian Embassy asking if my travel document is ready, then informed me graduate manager, and zooom~ I was flying to there. It took me less than two hours to reach back my training center. See, I’m getting better in direction =D this is not a bad exercise.


My precious, please dont run away again

After another hour of business speaker, I have my first lunch there. I picked some sausage, which taste exactly like the can minced meat ^^; Not that good, but I finished them, as usual. My flatmate is getting slimmer as week passes, my attire is getting tighter and tighter ^^;

We have break until 2.30, then followed by a quiz regarding different GTO functions. The winner got 100 pounds voucher to musical theater! I wanted it badly, but I didn’t able to fully answer all of them.. so.. T_T Cheerz to the winner, who is a guy in the same department as I :p

During the briefing, I got a surprising news, that this is the first time for our department to hire IT graduate, meaning to say, we are the pioneers! We’re the only two for the whole region O.o Quite a huge difference with other department. But seriously, I’m glad to be in my department. All the people are very nice. I mean it.

The briefing finished at 5, then we have a drink and dinner session for the whole GTO. Eve and I decided to go back at around 7. After some dinner in a nice Chinese restaurant, we went back home and called it a day.


Finally after two weeks, a chinese souuup!!

We’ll be starting the real training tomorrow. Heard that everything won’t be that easy anymore. Wish us luck! :)

Nite!
ED

Appendix – List of hassles caused

I took back my words – I indeed want to note down how exhausted I was last week.

Saturday
1815: Inform my friends
1830: Inform KFC Manager, Mr. Wang
1900: Inform Police @ Police Station
2000: Call Singtel to terminate my card
2015: Eve calls GTO training manager but goes to voice mail2030: SMS my manager, but texing the wrong person (just realized it after 2 days)
2045: Inform Travel Card assistance, but they asked me to call other party the next day
Back Home
2130: Inform City Tower security guard
2200: Call Crown Lawn manager
2230: Call AMEX card
2245: Call DBS Singapore

Sunday
0900: Inform my family
0930: Call Travel Card Lost department regarding the lost of card – 1
1000: Call Oyster Card help desk to get my Oyster card number – 2
1100: Call Travel Card lost department again regarding the lost of card – 3
1130: Do online reporting of the Oyster card
1200: Sister texted to asked if I’m fine
1300: Brother called to asked if I’m fine
1700: Email to managers at Singapore office

Monday
0730: Call Crown Lawn manager regarding keys
0830: Managers from Singapore called to asked if I’m fine – touched!
0900: Inform Instructor about the incident
1000: Inform Graduate Training team about the incident
1100: Call GTO training manager to request permission skipping class tomorrow
1200: Call Embassy of Indonesia
1400: Email to secretary at Singapore office for insurance
1800: Get reimbursement of my oyster card with 10 pounds fee
1830: Get my apartment keys, but lack of the other 2 keys
1900: Email to managers at Singapore for Singapore Police Report
2000: Call Crown Lawn manager regarding lack of keys

Tuesday
0830: Tell security guard regarding the lack of two keys
0900: Reach Indonesian Embassy
0930: Go to another department at Adam Row which settled Visa
1010: Explain my situation to office
1100: Fill documents
1130: Go to take photos
1200: Go to buy 30 pounds postal order
1300: Reach back training center, talk to Graduate Training Manager
1500: Call UK Immigration Office, no one picked up
1600: Inform Graduate Training team, they advice me to write email to Lucy
1830: Security guard told me that he couldn’t find the original keys and most probably need me to pay for engineer
1900: Email to secretary at Singapore office to query about insurance form
2000: Call Crown Lawn manager to inform about the missing original keys
2100: Call Crown Lawn manager again to inform that my flatmate has the key

Wednesday
0800: Inform security guard regarding the keys
1000: Email to secretary at Singapore office to ask help in posting the insurance form
1030: Call UK Immigration Office, no one picked up
1100: Email HR people in London to schedule the posting of the insurance form
1200: Call HR online, but Lucy is away for lunch, was advice to email hr admin
1300: Email HR admin explaining the situation
1500: Ask HR people in training center if it’s possible to post the help post internal mail
1530: Call UK Immigration Office, no one picked up
2000: Ask if ETC provide scanner to scan insurance document
2045: Explain to new security guard regarding the keys, get the two keys
2100: Completed police report form and sent

Thursday
0900: Inform new security guard regarding the keys, return back two keys
1000: Ask Graduate Trainer available regarding possibility to send internal mail
1200: Ask another Graduate Trainer to send internal mail
1300: Call UK Immigration Office, no one picked up
1500: Call HR admin about UK Visa, but the person asked me to search google! How stupid can it be?
1800: Being informed that the mail has been sent for delivery
2000: Inform and get two keys from security guard
2100: Email Graduate Training manager that I need help
2300: SMS bro that I’m fine

Friday
0730: Explain to security guard to return my flatmate key, but they insisted not to
1200: Call Cameron, the firm that helped us settle UK Visa in Singapore
1800: Get email from graduate training manager that I must contact HR
2000: Being interrogated by friends

Saturday
1200: Inform mum and dad, dad suggested me to write snail mail to UK immigration
1300: Email Cameron regarding UK Visa
1800: Inform managers at Singapore regarding my situation

Sunday
1000: Manager told me to calm down and enjoy my weekend
1200: Inform mum and dad, dad suggested me to go to airport and ask the immigration there
1300: Inform friends
1600: Inform sis and get lectured for 15 minutes of how careless I am. Sis suggest me to call embassy of Singapore in London
2330: Inform blog

This is by no means an exhaustive list. I can’t remember most of the chronology, but this is roughly what happen. Am I tired? Yes. I’m quite tired with this case. I will be very glad if people can talk to me with another topic instead of this one…

Time to sleep! Another formal dress tomorrow T_T
ED

Appendix - List of the things lost

Incident: Lost of handbag
When: On an unfortunate 13 September 2008, 18:00
Where: KFC Marble Arch, Oxford Street


Last pic with the bag :(

Unavoidable lost:

• Oyster Travel Card
• Crown Lawn Apartment Keys x 5
• AMEX Card
• Spectacles
• Handbag
• Rain Coat
• Pink water bottle
• Gloves
• Scarf
• Contact lens set
• Cash
  
• Tube Map
• London Travel Map
• Sweets, Notes, Maps

Avoidable lost (not supposed to be carried around):

• Passport
• UK Visa
  
• Employment Pass
• DBS Security Token
• DBRas
• DBS Turnstile
• Thumbdrive x 2
• Singapore Apartment Keys x 3
• Singtel SIM Card
• Office Keys x 2

Lesson learnt... in a very hard way. Hope that other will learn from my experiences as well T_T
ED

The Induction Training – Week 2

So, I lost my bag last weekend.


Can't help to feel blessed with the support from all my friends around me

Inside the bag is all the stuff that I would like to barter to lose my second bag instead. All the secure thingy, keys, ids… were gone. Gosh!

Nothing much this week. I have been doing a lot of rushing here and there and I really don’t want to even remember it all over again. It’s just too tiring. For this week, I was settling my passport, duplicating my keys, purchase a new oyster card, informing my graduate training manager, getting police report from Singapore, filling up insurance form, struggling with lesson, and finally, the exam on Friday.

My sleeping time was usually around 2am – 6am during the week. It was quite a pain for me. On the exam date itself, I slept only at 4.30am because I wasn’t able to finish the revision T_T.. in the end, I make 14 mistakes out from 75… well.. not my best effort, but at least I passed.

I feel like vampire in passing through this week, no spirit and motivation at all. At the end of Friday, eve invited me to join her traveling to Manchester… I would really love to, but my body didn’t seem to allow me doing so. In the end, I decided to spend my weekend staying at home sweet home, resting and writing blog.


My tasty lunch for 75 pence!

So yeah, that’s for my week two. At least, I still manage to enjoy one Phantom of The Opera musical on Tuesday. I like the backdrop a lot, but I don’t really understand the flow =.=’ only after I back and search wikipedia, I understand the whole scenes. Haha.. I love one of the soundtrack: All I ask of you. Quite a touching story after all. Sabrina cried during the musical :p hahaha..

Last night, I has a ride on London Eye as well for 15.60 pounds. Didn’t feel much “wow” feeling – it’s just like looking down from a tall building ^^; but it’s always good to try, right? :p


In London Eye, above the Thames River

Next week will be another tiring week with my UK Visa unsettled. Hopefully, everything will be better by the end of next week. There will be a lot of other hassles to be settled once I’m back to Singapore. I know that there is no use of keep reminding myself of it now. It won’t change anything until next month. So… may this blog serves as the keeper of all my complains, and let me have a more cheerful week ahead please!

This week has been a gloomy week, hasn’t it? Even for all the financial market out there… all the things just happen too fast too soon. Sometimes it’s hard for me to believe if it has been really happening, or just being made up for the purpose of real life example training.


One last look at one of the victims of financial crisis

I wish that I can try to enjoy the training here. My financial lost was roughly calculated around the price of a laptop. The immaterial lost.. is just too much.. with all the people that I bothered and fuss around, I didn’t feel good at all. But still, I am really thankful that I have friends around me here. My biggest thanks to all of you... Thanks as well that I bring a laptop and purchase the internet. I can’t think of the upcoming hassles if only I can’t surf internet at all.

Let’s wish for a better week!
ED

The Induction Training – Week 1

The training started with a full day “briefing” at Hilton Hotel. All of us are gathered in one big room, and it was the first time I saw how many the graduates are, 570ish! I shook hand with so many people, but none of the name remained in my brain at the end of the day T_T


After a not-very-brief briefing

For second and third day, the graduates were spread to different primary school to do community works. Mine is at Gainsborough Primary School.

"Gardening"

There were around 50 people go to a school, and then, we’re separated into 5 teams. I picked gardening, thinking it would be very fun to plant and see flower all around. Too bad, my imagination was far from the real job. We’re to clean up a garden, digging soil, mowing, trimming, sawing, drilling, all those man-ist work. I built up my muscles in those 2 days. But it was pretty fun, knowing that you’re not working hard alone, and hearing all the complains and jokes from all the other graduates XP


After the hardwork @ the Hackney Wick train station

At the start of fourth day in a class room at Hatton, I can hardly move my hands to write. Luckily, the lesson didn’t require me to. As I heard it is not examinable, I took a good position and act reading-while-sleeping for the rest of the two days. The food provided was lovely, but the coffee was nothing much than a black water. I drank 6 cup of espresso but still fall asleep at class ^^; Maybe I can blame the weather as well, cloudy and windy for the rest of the week. Think this is the common weather in London. It can just rain and stop in the next 3 minutes. My umbrella can’t survive the weather here… it bend the other way round because of the wind. In the end, my rain coat saved me. Haha…


Visiting British Museum with formal business attire ^^;

Saturday was the end of my short relaxing period. After the photo taking early in the morning, we went to Hyde Park and Green Park for some walk, and continue with dinner at KFC. I lost my bag there! I really can’t believe it for the first one hour. I put my bag at chair, I asked my friends help to take care of my belongings, I was back from ordering food, I want to put back my wallet to bag, and bump – I realized that it was gone.


Poor people going to work in early saturday morning


My last pic before I realized that my bag was gone

I can not think clearly of what to do. The worst was that – my passport was in my bag! Together with my work permit, visa, and everything. All in sudden, I realized that I’m identity-less… and regretted why I brought it out… and regretted… and regretted.

All of my friends had been very supportive to my situation. Thanks so much everyone. Even the KFC manager, Mr. Wang, has been very helpful. He allowed me to view CCTV right after I report to him, which is quite a contrast with my experience last time in Singapore. At the end of the day, my friends had helped me to look all around the place, accompanied me to police station, postponed the b’day party plan, and sent me home. My special thanks to my flatmate, who has been accompanying me all the way. I’m really sorry to ruin your b’day celebration. Why on earth I kept losing bag on my friend b’day!? It was exactly the same thing two years ago. When will I learn to be more careful, huh? :( I’m disappointed with myself. I really am...

Sunday was a gloomy day for me. The night before, I called crown lawn, dbs, amex, even singtel to inform about my loss. On Sunday, I did another call marathon to report the lost of my Oyster Travel Card. With my current phone plan, it was soon flatten my credit to 1 pound by the next day.

I went to Canary Wharf to top up my credit, as well as having lunch and bought a book for eve’s birthday. Afterwards, I back to settle some more stuff, before going for dinner with the rest at waterloo. We watched a firework… and suddenly I felt happy that at least my camera is still with me…


@ Giraffe for Eve's b'day celebration

From now on... is the start of the restless nights…
ED

The Induction Training – Week 0

The last week before my training was quite similar to my last week in my internship – having lots of fun during office time and scratching my head back home, with all the things need to be sorted out before the midnight flight at the end of the week.

On Sunday afternoon, I had the entire weekly schedule planned. Weekly GTO lunch on Monday, lunch with citra and moja on Tuesday, movie and health workshop on Wednesday, lunch with helios on Thursday, and flight on Friday. In the end of the week, I have GTO lunch on Monday, lunch with helios on Tuesday, citra and moja lunch and movie on Wednesday, health workshop on Thursday, and fly on Friday.

All look a bit mess out, but I was very glad that all the appointments were fulfilled at the end of the day. I even won lucky draw price during the health workshop by Ironman champion. Hahaha… The price is yet to be received though :p

I managed to exchange money as well before the movie (sorry to Sabrina and Glen that I make u all wait). I exchanged for 700 pounds with rate 2.578 for SGD and 1.4 for USD. The exchange was done in less than 5 minutes as the person was already rushing to close shop. Haha.. Thanks anyway to still serve me as your last customer!

We rushed from Suntec to Cathay for the Wall-E movie. It was awesome! I cried twice although I have tried my best not to (as there were so many colleagues around T_T). Hope that they didn’t realize it though. I don’t know why I was so touch with all Wall-E sacrifice. I think even Pixar and Disney aren’t expecting the audience to cry. Hahaha.. Oh yeas! I specifically love the tone used when Wall-E was charged up – exactly the same tone used when we start Mac. Muahaha…


Wall-E, expected to be coming to your computer screen real soon :p

On Thursday, Kelvin and I bought apple strudel for colleagues at our office. It was our ‘last day’ there. However, we’re definitely over estimated – they only finished 2 boxes out from 4 T_T in the end, Kelvin bought it to ORQ. I don’t know what happened there afterwards. Hahaha.. At night, I washed my cloths and having fun chatting with flatmate. I didn’t do much packing yet as all my cloths were still in hanger. I tried out my company laptop… and totally shocked to know that I can do almost everything with it! All the websites that were blocked internally can be accessed without problem. I can even install skype, although I can’t do anything with msn. With confidence, I packed the laptop as my luggage and went to sleep happily.

On Friday, I was waken up by a call from office, at around 10am. I was super shock to see the time, as I actually have promised them to stand by from 9am instead T_T so sorry.. The urgent call required me to stay infront of computer from 10am until 6pm.. which was quite a mess because I haven’t packed! In the end, I rush showering, packing, ironing, panicking, and doing everything in the last two hours. Sabrina and I took cab to airport at around 8.30. I told her about my story. But her story is even much more surprising. She was still in office until 5, went to farewell party until 7, and packed only for half hour. Wew~

The flight was awesome… I was definitely on the mood of making full use of system there. We can even open word documents, power point, and pictures there. It reminds me of some of my flatmates, who laugh at me when I asked them to put my transportation details inside my thumbdrive “Ha? So clever hor, then what u used to access it? Your nose ar?” =.=’ However, as I was doing extensive testing with the system, the inflight entertainment break down and need to be restarted =.=’


Slideshow at your very own inflight entertainment system! :p

Afterwards, I decided not to play too much with it.. I then watch 2 movies: Sex and the City and Indiana Jones. I wasn’t able to finish the second one though, as I was busy taking pics of the food as well as the A380 XP I managed to break into to the business class section as well.. It is niiceeeee… But we’re hush away before making our way to the suites… Hmm~


The staircase to those high price seats

I hardly felt that it was a 13 hours flight. SIA had definitely do a greet job =] This time, I tried out Singapore Sling, which is quite fruity and refreshing. Anyone can order it as well, it's free of charge :p Thanks to my companion who taught me how to make even fuller use of the flight services :p I’m looking forward for my flight back home later! Muahaha..

As we touched London, we started to look for our accommodation. Eve, Wendy and I took a cab together to our apartment (bye, 48pounds). We were quite surprised that we can check in right away (the other grads need to wait until 3) and was more surprised that eve and I were staying in the same apartment. I though we will be separated! Another surprise came when I saw my apartment – It was so huge! : I have a bed room and a bathroom for myself. It includes a living room with plasma TV and fully furnished kitchen as well. The only thing lacking was the internet. Haha.. In fact, we’re saying that we’re ready to exchange all the exclusiveness with one free wireless internet. Lol. Yeah, the internet is not provided. (bye, another 45 pounds)


My messy bedroom ^^;

After we settled down for a while, we went to ASDA supermarket to buy some necessities. It was only 5 minutes walk from our place and open 24 hours. Very convenient! I had my very first meal there… it was pretty nice.. but, what is fries without chili? T_T suddenly I regretted for not bringing my chili sauce.


My first meal in London, Grilled Chicken for 4.5 pounds. With Chili, it would have been a perfect meal

Done with groceries and lunch, we went to get our local phone card, meet other graduates and I have big mac for dinner. Even the big mac is much more expensive here T_T hahaha…

On the next day, all of us woke up quite early as we’re still adjusting to the time difference. After some cereal as breakfast, we went for some sightseeing – London bridge, tower bridge, St paul cathedral and have foods at random location… Everywhere in London looked so historic, with high ceiling, stone, garden, and everything. Together with the windy weather, it was very relaxing to walk around, but it made my contact lens very dry.


Relaxing sightseeing around London Bridge

We’re totally tired when we’re back at night, and pass out until the next morning… when the training start...

Adjusting to price O.o,
ED