Friday, June 30, 2006
But RECRUIT EXPRESS. Yes, it was my last day of work today on my very first "real" job as an associate consultant with RE. And although I totally suck at it, gets me fatigued, crabby, stressed and sick, I'd never imagined that I'd be feeling this sad leaving work. Really, my colleagues had made all the difference.
Pics from tonight's farewell dinner:
Rebecca, my mentor whom I work the closest with. She gives me advice, gives tons of candidates for me to call, reminds me to arrange interviews with GuyA and CompanyB, threatens to "kill", "punch" and "slap" me occasionally, closed a case with me, and is the best guide and mentor one could ever hope for.
Bestest lunch hour buddy Wenjie aka JAY (yes, after the singer), who introduced YAKUN COFFEE to me, the sweetest and best afternoon coffee in the world. Jay, who buys a new paper every day, taught me how to work the photocopier, and whom i swapped army stories with, will be dearly missed.
Meiyin, a temp like me who's also leaving today. I always get jealous of how she manages to close so many cases in a month. Some people are just too perfect.
Did I mention she looks like the girl on our corporate brochure too?
Temps United.
IT4, Just wanted you to know that I loved every minute working with you guys. Will honestly, truly miss all the times we had. :)
he rocked the party at 9:20 AM |
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Is the enigma I know I cannot have.
Makes me feel like I could never deserve her.
Does not cross my mind very often, but is all I think about whenever she does.
Is perfect, but whom spending a relationship with is perfectly impossible.
Damn it. This swinging single, jetting off to foreign countries, living each day to the max lifestyle does NOT allow room for such thoughts!
he rocked the party at 9:14 AM |
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Do excuse the occasional self-indulgent, talking to myself post, as such:
I do really like the way my item's turning out. This blocking's much better than last time. Just need to finetune it a little bit. Today's run went surprisingly well, I think we perform better when there's an audience (albeit, of a different race, ahem) around. Was really pleased with how the first half of the song looks, so well done, my dedicated and talented dancers! -grin-
Second half needs some tidying up, but at least the blocking and steps are there. Anyways, I dont want us to be too prepared too early before the performance.
Yes, I know that all this sacrifice and all this practice is going to be worth it.
he rocked the party at 10:14 AM |
Friday, June 23, 2006
Funny how life deals out these random little acts of pleasureable happiness at the most unexpected moments. When one unexpected thing leads to another, and you find yourself in a moment which you realise you'd wanted to be in, but never really thought about it. :)
he rocked the party at 9:18 PM |
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
You know how guys always approach girls with horrible pick up lines? Well, certain recent incidents have given me a revelation: That the chat up lines of girls to butter up to a guy can be equally baaaad as well.
Not trying to be an expert in the art of chatting up members of the opposite sex, but isnt it such a big turn off when a conversation turns bland, repetitive, or even worse, cliched? I hate it when people try to be somebody they're not, or say something just because they think it sounds cool.
So where oh where is that perfect girl: who can carry out intelligent, catchy conversations, supply witty anecdotes, and comes equipped with her own brand of flirty naughty pick up lines? I'll marry you if I find you. Hahah.
he rocked the party at 9:57 AM |
Another commando died yesterday, and this time much closer to home. LTA Lionel Lin and I used to joke that there were way too many commandos named Lionel. We ploughed through endless mapexes. He lead a reconaissance team which collected and reported raw info so that I could translate it into my Intelligence plan. I accompanied his team on a midnight recce, and slept alongside him in the middle of Thailand's plains. We commanded a vehicle together while we talked about his army career and plans to join the upcoming Ranger course.
It's scary how someone, anyone, could be gone so suddenly. Leaves me wondering: How sure are you that you're gonna see your colleagues, your friends, your family members again tomorrow? Stark reminder not to take life, friends and family for granted ever again.
LTA Lionel Lin, you will always be remembered.
he rocked the party at 9:29 AM |
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
I would like to think that the dance I've choreographed is fantastic, but I've got this nagging feeling that its not. It's complete, and yet there's still something missing.
What is it?
I wish I was more creative, and that I had more time to think of more imaginative blockings/cooler steps, and that i would just STOP THINKING OTHER SONGS SOUND SO MUCH COOLER. Aragh.
I'm suffering from choreographer's block AFTER I'd finished my item. What the hell man.
he rocked the party at 9:51 AM |
Friday, June 16, 2006
Honestly, work has made me very disillusioned about the various kinds of people in Singapore's job market today. At the risk of stereotyping, here are the various groups of people I've encountered while trying to match them with jobs:
1. The Greatest Person In The World
Thinks he has such wonderful and rare skills/personality that companies would be stupid not to hire him. He's damn rude over the phone. He doesnt have much work experience, maybe 1-2 years in 1 or 2 companies, and wants to leave because the company isnt giving him enough "leadership exposure", (after only 2 years? fat hope). He expects a salary of at least $3500, and feels insulted when you offer him anything lower and try to tell him THERE'S NO WAY IN THIS FRICKIN WORLD he's gonna earn $3,500 with his lack of experience and arrogant attitude.
2. The Social Visit Pass Holder
Comes from Country XXX, and just came to Singapore last month in the hopes of living the Singapore Dream and earning that legendary Singapore Wage. Has probably earned at least a Master's from the University of Country XXX, and accepts any job offer you mention without hesitation. Everything's too good to be true, until he tells you his (waaay-inflated) expected salary, citing that he used to earn that amount in Country XXX. You find that hard to believe, because only corrupt officials in Country XXX earn that kind of wage. After further pressing and bargaining for half an hour, he finally concedes that he earned a wage half of what he initially mentioned. Then he doesnt turn up for the interview because he accepted so many interviews that it just "slipped his mind"
3. The Smooth Conman.
He's nice, decent, turns up and does well for all interviews. He accepts a reasonable wage, is really polite and thanks you for calling and giving him the "opportunity to take up new job prospects". After which, a few scenarios happen:
3a. He doesnt turn up for the interview with the company. You call him and he tells you he's in a cab on the way there. He doesnt answer subsequent calls and soon after, disappears from the face of the earth. The company is furious because the interviewer doesnt fancy staying after office hours to wait for someone who doesnt turn up.
3b. The company loves him after the interview and offers him a job. After asking him to sign the letter of appointment, he either disappears like in 3a, or drops the bomb on you: He had already accepted another offer last week. Then why the HELL did he even go for the interview in the first place, you stupid shit?! He's shrugs, offers a sheepish "sorry" and tries to laugh it off while you slam the phone down.
3c. He doesnt turn up for the job. Or quits after 6 months. So you have to find a replacement for free because the company is hopping mad that they spent an obscene amount of money for him.
4. The Neow Dude
He asks a billion questions about the job position, including the benefits, the company's history, the boss's car model, how nice his new desk will be, etc. Then he gives you another billion conditions, like he doesnt work Saturdays, alternate Mondays, and needs to leave at 3pm on Fridays. He expects the company to give him a car, and then expects to be compensated for fuel usage. After you spend a disgustingly long time coming to a compromise, he declines the offer because "aiyuh, actually next month I'm getting an increment la".
5. The Freshie
5a. The uni freshie is similar to the Greatest Person in the World, except she's a whole lot more polite, but expects to be paid $10,000 even though the only experience she's had is waitressing. Her answer to you when you try to explain that kind of wage only goes to managers and above? "But I'm a degree holder whaaat."
5b. The fussy poly freshie.
No experience whatsoever, and REFUSES to take up exposure-gaining contract positions. (A norm in the IT industry. You usually take up several contracts to gain exposure before you settle in a perm)"Erm, I'm only looking out for a perm position laaaa.. do you have anything for a programmer position?" (Yes I do, but only for people who have taken up CONTRACT positions before you little shit.)
5c. The ah lian.
Her boyfriend answers the phone at 9am, undoubtedly after a night of hot wild sex. "Errrrrrrrrrrr, hello? Orrrhhh job ah? Okay lor. What kind of job you have?" After spending 10 mins telling her what kind of decent jobs are available for her, she titters and says "Actually hor, I only want admeeeeen. (admin)" Oh gawrsh.
Of course, I'm not saying that all freshies or people from Country XXX are like this (better say the disclaimer before the gahmen accuses me of discrimination), but honestly, its really disheartening to know there are so many ungrateful, arrogant little people there in our society. I mean, most people would actually be thankful to get a job. Heck, I'M thankful I get to earn a decent wage even though I always complain about it. I swear, I'm not gonna be like them after I graduate.
he rocked the party at 9:44 PM |
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Lately, I've been really busy and its been getting me down, hence the lack of blogging presence. (I know some people blog their best when they're depressed, but I'd really rather blog about happy things. There're waay too many sad posts in this world.) I ask that you forgive my long absence. Work has been a biatch lately. Found myself dreading going to work every morning, and feeling absolutely miserable looking through CVs and job descriptions, wondering why I seem so unsuccessful in it. Perhaps I get depressed when I'm reminded of my own shortcomings once too often.
But today, an MC break from a rightly timed flu bug, I had time to reflect on things. Why am I so sad when thousands of people would kill to be in my position, to have a good, honest job, with helpful and supportive colleagues, and earning a decent wage and not bumming around wasting my life away? A few reasons why I should be happy:
1. I'm earning 2 years' worth of Christmas trips back to Singapore if I stick with this job. That alone is worth the time sacrificed.
2. Yay to helpful and supportive colleagues, who pass me leads to call, recommend suitable candidates, put in a good word with the boss, call me when I'm sick to find out how I am, and get an important letter signed for me while I was sick, even though they dont earn a cent from it. Who ask me out for movies, dinners, late night drinks and KTV sessions. (even though the latter is something I dread doing)
3. Yay to my committed DANCERS, who come for rehearsals and put up with my indecisiveness, such that we FINISHED THE ITEM TODAY! (i'm still estatic over this fact.. no more choreographing over the weekends!) Yay to Hui and Cynthia, who help out in costume design, to people who come early to practise my steps.. to my dream of choreographing a hip hop item at the Esplanade this august!
4. Yay to my Penn Housing: King's Court English college house, my 2nd choice after the Quad, with its humungous rooms, own sink (!), cheery corridors, own dining hall, and a concentration of freshmen. (AND i get a hawaiian roommate! How cool is that?) Yay to all these exciting college preparations, from setting up an email account, to choosing courses and seminars to take, to setting out my academic goals, to planning my travel dates... It has just struck me today: Heck, I'm really gonna do it! I'm going to a big, unknown place all by myself for 4 years, and there's no turning back!
Slight problem though, I lost my Penn residence hall linen application. Now I dunno how im gonna get my sheets, pillowcases and comforters. Does anyone know how I can request for another form, or if they have a website?
But all in all, I guess I do have alot to be thankful for. I should stop bitching and moaning.
he rocked the party at 9:44 AM |
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Sorry for the long haitus folks, the packed schedule's been absolutely killing me. Waking up at 7 and coming home past 12 every day just drains the hell outta anyone. Not to mention the late nights pouring over blocking for my upcoming Rapture item. Goodness.
Anyway, I'd like to talk about that NUS ad. You probably know which one I'm talking about. You know: The one with that ang mo girl leafing through university brouchures and going "Hmm, Wharton, Michigan... -SQUEAL!- I got into NUS!!"
Actually, I quite like the ad. Despite what some people said in the Sunday Times today, I dont think its in bad taste at all. I think its absolutely refreshing to see something different from the usual scenes of students smiling with their professors at study tables. (I mean, honestly, does that really happen?)
I like the fact that it pokes fun at some typical Singaporean traits, like how a typical Singaporean student (like me) would be really excited at the prospect of going to an overseas uni, or how we ban chewing gum (Yes, the ang mos still find it amazing. I was talking to this guy whom I shared a cab with in the States, and he was fascinated by our laws)
I like it cause it pokes fun at itself too. Now dont get me wrong, I'm sure NUS business is a fantastic school (I'd wanted to enroll there once too), as are all other business schools in Singapore. Hell, with our kind of students, we spoil the market for the rest of the world, at least according to some Korean and Indian Penn pre-freshies I've been talking to recently. However, we have to admit that NUS does not have the reputation of a business school nowhere near the likes of Wharton, Michigan and Stanford. I mean, c'mon, we all know that's a fact.
We're probably too young to have any significant impact on the world (yet). But hey, we're not even 50 yet and we have PRC and Indian scholars dreaming to study with us too. So we're on our way. Give us another 50 - 100 years and I'd daresay we'd be amongst Wharton's ranks. So there's nothing wrong with aiming towards that. And I guess that's what the ad is all about, what NUS/NTU/SMU will probably be like a hundred years from now.
It probably sounds hypocritical coming from someone who's flying off to study in the States, but hey, give our local unis a chance yea. We only get to places we wanna be by aiming high after all.
he rocked the party at 9:10 AM |
